Transcriber's Preface

This book is an introduction to German for English–speaking children. It was aimed at well–to–do American children of the late 19th century. Even though nearly the entire book is in German, an English speaker can read the book cover–to–cover without any other reference work. This is a remarkable feat of authorship.

This book has long been one of my favorites. I used it myself while learning the German language. I've used it as a teaching aid when tutoring German. I've really enjoyed rereading it while preparing the present transcription.

The language is a little archaic, but is not terribly far from modern German usage. Some footnotes note archaic forms in the text, but they are by no means complete. Probably the most profound change has been a decrease in formality. To today's ear, the children using »Sie« to each other is most peculiar.

The references to contemporary people and popular culture provide a distinctive and amusing insight into pre–war Germany. I'm particularly amused by the numerous references to modern conveniences like gas lights and pocket watches. Ja Fritz, we have not always had digital wristwatches with electroluminescent backlighting...

Of notable interest to students of older German texts, is the table on page 247 (the 2nd leaf of the Tables of Grammar), which shows Fraktur and the old German Kurrentschrift along side the more familiar Latin script. Hand written material of the time is written with Kurrentschrift—one of the most difficult handwriting systems I've ever had to read.

It is my hope that this wonderful text can provide instruction in the German language to many more generations of students. I am pleased to provide it with well–deserved preservation.

Conventions and Mechanical Notes

German of this period was printed in Fraktur, a very different typeface from the family of Latin typefaces we use now. Throughout the text, text which was NOT printed in Fraktur is presented in typewriter face.

There are a few illustrations, including some music. The music was badly damaged—in one case an entire staff was missing. The Music Team at PGDP has kindly re-engraved the music for the HTML edition.

The spacing of dashes follows the original as accurately as possible.

Corrections and editorial comments are noted thus[I-1]. Note identifiers match between the HTML and text editions.

I am most grateful to the folks at Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofing. This is very likely the most accurate edition of Studien und Plaudereien ever prepared. The PGDP folks uncovered more than forty errors in the 16th edition, about half of which were corrected for the 18th edition.

La Monte H.P. Yarroll
piggy@baqaqi.chi.il.us
June 2006
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA