Why German People Don’t Care About How Germany Is Called Internationally

When it comes to how Germany is internationally referred to, many people in the country take it as a given that their nation will have different names in various languages. This does not necessarily evoke any strong emotions among German citizens, as it is a working way to refer to fellow countrymen if needed.

Is There Any Reason for Germans to Worry About International Names?

It is worth noting that most countries around the world are perfectly fine with their international names differing from their local ones. Think about how people call Sweden ‘Sverige,’ Hungary ‘Magyarország,’ or Georgia ‘Sakartvelo.’ Who would seriously expect an international audience to call their country by such names? Just as it would be ridiculous for a German to insist that people pronounce their country as ‘Saksa’ everywhere, it’s the mentality of someone who tries to make foreigners adopt a specific pronunciation or spelling that is questionable.

German People’s Perspective on Naming

Perhaps the most striking aspect is that German people have no ambitions to determine how Germany is called in other languages. It is completely irrelevant to them. This is because they tend to focus on their own language and understanding.

When learning a new language, the first words one usually picks up are those related to the place of their birth or origin. Germans, like people from other countries, often accept that the exonym (the name used in a foreign language) can differ significantly from the autonym (the official or self-referential name). When considering the term 'Germany', one might recall that it is actually quite close to its Latin root 'Germania', despite some historical differences. This is true for words like 'Dutch' (the English term for Netherlanders) or 'Nemcy' (the Slavic term for Germans), which both have more complex linguistic origins.

The Curiosity of English Speakers

One quirk that stands out is the tendency of less educated English speakers to get defensive about English being a Germanic language. This stems from the misunderstanding that 'Germanic' refers to 'German.' However, this notion does not hold water for most non-German speakers, as 'Deutsch' (the German word for German), 'Duits' (Dutch), and 'Tysk' (Swedish) are not synonymous with 'Germanic.'

Conclusion

In summary, German people are generally indifferent about how their country is called internationally. They accept that different languages have different names for the same place, and it is unlikely to cause any significant concern or emotional response. The focus remains on their own language and the cultural nuances that come with it.