Immigrants from the German-speaking countries brought with them
their names, their language, customs and traditions, which were
largely unknown in North America. Some of these, including a
surprising number of food and drinks, caught on among their
English-speaking neighbors. When there was no exact equivalent
or no established English word for a German "import," the German
was adopted into the American language. Noted historian Daniel
J. Boorstin calls the American language " another happy American
accident." As he puts it " we have an imported language along
with a population of imported people." The purpose of this unit
is to introduce students to, and have them identify, German
elements in the American language and way of life. Students will
carry out several activities and be given assignments to
identify German names and words. From these they should gain a
sense of the impact of the German-Americans on the American
mainstream culture. TIME: 2 class periods. Most activities are
to be done outside of cla