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Forum Index > Languages > German | >> Does Ich bin ein Berliner really mean I am a doughnut? | | |
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jonnythan
Twinky 91699 points


27/M/NY, New York Join Date: Aug 2005 | Wikipedia:
According to an urban legend that has no basis in fact and is practically unknown in Germany, Kennedy made a slightly embarrassing grammatical error by saying "Ich bin ein Berliner," referring to himself not as a citizen of Berlin, but as a common pastry:
"Kennedy should have said "Ich bin Berliner" to mean "I am a person from Berlin." By adding the indefinite article ein, his statement implied he was a non-human Berliner, thus "I am a jelly doughnut"."
The legend stems from a play on words with Berliner, the name of a doughnut variant filled with jam or plum sauce that is thought to have originated in Berlin.
In fact, the statement is both grammatically correct and perfectly idiomatic, and cannot be misunderstood in context. The urban legend is prevalent only in English-speaking countries but largely unknown in Germany, where Kennedy's speech is considered a landmark in the country's postwar history..... Similarly, after 9-11 many politicians said "today we are all New Yorkers" and nobody thought they meant "we are all glossy magazines" or "we are all cars."
The citizens of Berlin do refer to themselves as Berliner; what they do not refer to as Berliner are jelly doughnuts. While these are known as "Berliner" in other areas of Germany, they are simply called Pfannkuchen (pancakes) in and around Berlin.
So, in summary, what Kennedy said was perfectly correct and understood by Germans.... and people in Berlin do not call jelly donuts Berliners anyway.
 "Passion threatens the complacent and fills them with fear. Fear of the new, the deep, and the different. We, on the other hand, seek it out. Endlessly, joyously... and aggressively." | | | Edited: January 07, 2008 @ 16:26 | |
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markfox01
Über-Monkey 57533 points


29/M/Bristol, But im welsh!!, Unite Join Date: Dec 2005 | Jonny there with Wiki...
link [en.wikipedia.org]
In Germany, the doughnut equivalents are called Berliner (sg. and pl.), except in the city of Berlin and some other German areas, where they are called Pfannkuchen. In middle Germany, they are called Kreppel. In southern Germany, they are also called Krapfen and are especially popular during Carneval season (Karneval/Fasching) in southern and middle Germany and on New Year's Eve in northern Germany. Berliner do not have the typical ring shape but instead are solid and usually filled with jam. Bismarcks and Berlin doughnuts are also found in the U.S., Canada, Finland, and Denmark.


garlic bread, bread with garlic on it... | | |
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jonnythan
Twinky 91699 points


27/M/NY, New York Join Date: Aug 2005 | link [en.wikipedia.org]
Berliner is most often used to designate a citizen of Berlin, Germany, but may also refer to:
* Berliner (pastry)
* Berliner (format), in newspapers
* Ich bin ein Berliner, a famous speech by John F. Kennedy
* Berliner Gramophone, a record label

 "Passion threatens the complacent and fills them with fear. Fear of the new, the deep, and the different. We, on the other hand, seek it out. Endlessly, joyously... and aggressively." | | |
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markfox01
Über-Monkey 57533 points


29/M/Bristol, But im welsh!!, Unite Join Date: Dec 2005 | jonnythan said: link [en.wikipedia.org]
Berliner is most often used to designate a citizen of Berlin, Germany, but may also refer to:
* Berliner (pastry)
* Berliner (format), in newspapers
* Ich bin ein Berliner, a famous speech by John F. Kennedy
* Berliner Gramophone, a record label
Incidentally can you speak German?


garlic bread, bread with garlic on it... | | |
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