Alman (slang)

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Alman ( Turkish Alman "German") is an ethnophaulistic slang term that is generally used in German-speaking countries to describe German nationals without an obvious migration background . The term is also used to make fun of a person who lives according to German clichés . Similar names for people who meet German clichés are potatoes and kraut .

Meaning, distribution and usage

The expression is originally neutral for Germans and, in addition to Turkey, is also used throughout North Africa , from Morocco and Algeria southwards to about the Ivory Coast . Depending on the context, the word Alman can also be a swear word or mockery of a “German” or a person who fulfills the clichés. The demarcation from those named in this way creates a feeling of belonging to one's own group and strengthening one's own identity. According to Michael Ehlers, outrage over the word Alman only comes from a conservative milieu. It is also clear that the term is not an expression of discrimination or racism . The term Alman represents a counter-movement to the terms and clichés about foreigners and minorities, some of which can be found in German usage. Often, however, it is just satire , (self-) irony, black humor and sarcasm without an offensive character.

The clichés include, among other things, a small mind and ignorance in thinking, "German" appearance, German culture and customs , the German language , German humor itself, German eating and drinking habits, German behavior and bourgeoisie, and German life and work ethics .

Use in popular culture

The Germany radio sees the irony about German clichés as an evolution of German humor, which is mainly due to the many memes with situation comedy in the net culture distinguishes and social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube is widespread. The Instagram account Alman Memes is particularly well known , which started in 2017, was then deleted and has been continued under the name Alman Memes 2.0 since April 2019 . The account has over 500,000 followers (March 2020) and is operated by Sina Scherzant and Marius Notter. They chose the name Alman Memes because they feared that terms with similar meanings such as “potato memes” or “Germany memes” could have been instrumentalized by interest groups. With the channel they satirize “typically German” behavior and, according to their own statement, want to be a mirror for society. The term is also often used in discussions on Twitter , for example to point out German philistines.

The rapper Felix Krull released an album called Alman Tape , which is dedicated to German clichés. Also that of radio supported Webvideoproduzent and former Y-Titty -member Phil Laude parodied in his videos often the Alman. His music video about the Alman was viewed almost 6 million times (as of 2020).

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c The word "Alman" is not anti-German. In: Jetzt.de. March 27, 2018, accessed April 21, 2019 .
  2. ↑ What is an alman? Meaning and origin of the term on Twitter & Co. July 25, 2018, accessed April 21, 2019 .
  3. ^ A b Marc Felix Serrao: "Potatoes", "Almans": Racism - no thanks! Unless it goes against Germans | NZZ . July 19, 2018, ISSN  0376-6829 ( nzz.ch [accessed on August 12, 2019]).
  4. ↑ Guest contribution by Michael Ehlers : We are all Almans! Why the excitement about the term is exaggerated , focus.de , February 12, 2020
  5. ↑ Marlen Hobrack: "Alman" insults: Is it racism to call Germans potatoes? July 24, 2018 ( welt.de [accessed August 12, 2019]).
  6. ↑ a b Alman Memes on Instagram - Developing German Humor. Retrieved on August 12, 2019 (German).
  7. ↑ a b Bayerischer Rundfunk Conny Neumeyer: Interview with the makers of Alman Memes 2.0: What Alman Memes have to do with Loriot and Harald Schmidt . July 11, 2019 ( br.de [accessed August 12, 2019]).
  8. ↑ TRU DOKU: Alman Memes: These are the faces behind the account. December 10, 2019, accessed March 24, 2020 .
  9. ↑ TRU DOKU: Alman Memes: These are the faces behind the account | TRU DOKU. TRU DOKU, accessed on March 24, 2020 .
  10. ↑ What is an alman? Meaning and origin of the term on Twitter & Co. July 25, 2018, accessed on August 12, 2019 .
  11. ^ Enya Elstner: Felix Krull - Alman Tape // Review. In: JUICE magazine. August 25, 2017, accessed on August 12, 2019 (German).
  12. ^ Phil Laude - Alman (Official Music Video). Retrieved August 12, 2019 .