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LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

New Duden dictionary adds 5,000 words

The 25th edition of the German language dictionary Duden is out with 5,000 new words, daily Die Welt reported on Tuesday.

New Duden dictionary adds 5,000 words
Photo: DPA

The 12-volume reference work includes 135,000 words with 500,000 definitions and etymological background. Duden’s new word choices are a sign of the times. Examples include “Hybridauto,” or “hybrid car,” “twittern” for “to twitter,” “Hüftgold” for “love handles,” and “Komasaufen” for “binge drinking.”

“The Duden editorial staff observes development of the language and adds words that turn up with certain frequency in the media,” Die Welt reported.

Duden, which began producing German-language dictionaries in Leipzig in 1872, also offers a spellcheck program for Microsoft Office and Works, the paper said.

But tradition also hasn’t stopped the company from creating an iPhone application for those impromptu spelling emergencies.

New additions also included “Abwrackprämie” for “car scrapping premium,” a part of Germany’s post-crisis stimulus package that pays €2,500 ($3,500) to those who junk a car that is at least nine years old for a new one.

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