One of the greatest challenges in working with handwritten German-language documents produced before the 20th century is the script in which they were written, known as Kurrent. In this webinar, we will begin with an overview of the history of this form of German handwriting, with a focus on how it was taught and used in the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe and America. We will examine several examples of Kurrentschrift that German translators often work with today, including personal documents (letters and diaries) and vital records. We will wrap up with information on resources for translators and others who are interested in becoming proficient in Kurrentschrift.
Attendance is limited to 100 participants.
Mark L. Louden, Ph.D., is the Alfred L. Shoemaker, J. William Frey, and Don Yoder Professor of Germanic Linguistics and the Director of the Max Kade Institute for German American Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Most of his research and public outreach centers on German-related language varieties in North America, especially Pennsylvania Dutch.