Series 1, episode 6:
ß (Eszett)
The symbol „ß“ is one of the few things that is truly unique about German. But what is it exactly? How do you pronounce it? And how did it come to exist?
In this episode I talk to returning guest Frauke Rüdebusch (Gesellschaft für deutsche Sprache) about where this letter came from, when and where it is used, and about the problems that arise because of its existence.
Read the transcript here.
Listen now:
About this episode’s guest
Frauke Rüdebusch is a research associate at the Gesellschaft für deutsche Sprache (GfdS). She conducts research into many facets of the German language, including in the context of corona. One of her main areas of work also concerns first names (see links below).
Email: frauke.ruedebusch@gfds.de
Links and information:
- Website of the GfdS: https://gfds.de/
- „Das ß“ (article by Frauke on the GfdS website about this letter): https://gfds.de/das-ss/
- „Vornamen“ (on the GfdS website, with lots of facts and other information about first names, an area where Frauke is particularly involved): https://gfds.de/vornamen/
- „Wortcast“ – Podcast of the GfdS: https://gfds.de/podcast/