Spelling Alphabet
There is a German spelling alphabet similar to the ICAO spelling alphabet. The official version in Germany, laid down in DIN 5009, is as follows:
| Letter | Code | Letter | Code | Letter | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Anton | K | Kaufmann | ß | Eszett |
| Ä | Ärger | L | Ludwig | T | Theodor |
| B | Berta | M | Martha | U | Ulrich |
| C | Cäsar | N | Nordpol | Ü | Übermut |
| D | Dora | O | Otto | V | Viktor |
| E | Emil | Ö | Ökonom | W | Wilhelm |
| F | Friedrich | P | Paula | X | Xanthippe |
| G | Gustav | Q | Quelle | Y | Ypsilon |
| H | Heinrich | R | Richard | Z | Zacharias |
| I | Ida | S | Samuel | ||
| J | Julius | SCH | SCHule | ||
The spelling alphabet was changed several times during the 20th century, in some cases for political reasons. In 1934, supposedly "Jewish" names were replaced. Thus, David, Jakob, Nathan, Samuel and Zacharias became Dora, Jot, Nordpol, Siegfried and Zeppelin. In Germany, the 1948 and 1950 versions reverted to some of the old versions but introduced additional changes. Many of the older, officially obsolete forms are still found in popular use, in particular Siegfried and Zeppelin. Some letter names are still official in Austria. The official Austrian version, as laid down in ÖNORM A 1081, differs from DIN 5009 in the following places:
| Letter | Code | Letter | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| K | Konrad | Ü | Übel |
| Ö | Österreich | X | Xaver |
| S | Siegfried | Z | Zürich |
| ß | Scharfes S | ||
Konrad is also used in Germany, although this is not and apparently never was official there. Konrad can cause confusion since the first name "Conrad" (spelled with a "C") also exists. Not following the norm, but not uncommon are CHarlotte and - especially in Austria - CHristine, Norbert and Zeppelin.
In Switzerland and Liechtenstein yet another slightly different spelling alphabet is used.
Read more about this topic: German Alphabet
Famous quotes containing the words spelling and/or alphabet:
“Some let me make you of the heartless words.
The heart is drained that, spelling in the scurry
Of chemic blood, warned of the coming fury.
By the sea’s side hear the dark-vowelled birds.”
—Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)
“Roger Thornhill: You’re police, aren’t you. Or is it FBI?
Professor: FBI, CIA, O–I—we’re all in the same alphabet soup.”
—Ernest Lehman (b.1920)