New spelling board brings a breath of fresh air and breaks with the past!

New spelling board brings a breath of fresh air and breaks with the past!

On November 6th, 2025 there will be news from the world of spelling. The German Institute for Standardization has made a significant change to the German spelling board in 2022. The old, historically burdened board that used first names has no longer been officially valid since May 2022. Instead, German city names are now spelled out, such as “A for Aachen”. A step that was deemed necessary to deal with the dark past of the old table and make it more gender-equitable. Mercury reports that Dr. Michael Blume, anti-Semitism commissioner in Baden-Württemberg, initiated this reform.

The motivation behind this reform is clear: the old spelling board was historically burdened by the changes made during the Nazi era. In 1934, Jewish names were removed from the board, which was not only a linguistic but also a symbolic gesture that reflected the discriminatory views of the regime at the time. A striking example is the name Nathan being replaced by an arbitrary term, underlining the worthlessness of the measure. Scilogs further describes that after the Second World War there was only a superficial attempt to correct these injustices.

The challenges of the transition

Despite these positive steps, there are difficulties in accepting the new board. In many areas, such as the police and fire departments, the old board is still used, and many companies are also hesitant to convert. There is often a lack of effort and the need to change the usual systems. Many people keep the old spelling board, showing a desire for tradition and familiarity.

The new spelling board, which is now based on city names, is not only an attempt to break with the burdened history, but also an attempt to create a uniform and comprehensible communication culture. The selection of city names is based on well-known license plates in order to avoid confusion and to use clear, understandable terms. Mercury highlights that there are also international standards that rely on similar principles.

A look at the big picture

Not only does the discussion surrounding the spelling board show how language and writing can have an impact on society, but it also leads to reflections on the responsibility we have towards our history. As the reform of the spelling board shows, it is important to actively engage with one's own past. In the context of the year of remembrance of 1,700 years of Jewish life in Germany, this reform represents a symbolic and at the same time practical step that triggers far-reaching discussions.

It remains to be seen how acceptance of the new spelling board will develop. In any case, the discussion is open and will continue to provide scope for controversy and opinions. An exciting topic for language use in Germany that goes far beyond the mere naming.