New spelling board: Why A for Aachen” replaces the old rule!

New spelling board: Why A for Aachen” replaces the old rule!

In Germany, a fundamental change has taken place in spelling practice. Where first names like “A for Anton” were once used, the focus is now on the new spelling board, which was introduced by the German Institute for Standardization in 2022. Instead of personal names, this now includes city names such as “A for Aachen”. The change goes beyond purely syntactic adjustments – it marks a break with a burdened past.

The old spelling board has not been officially recognized since May 2022 and was historically problematic. It was modified during the Nazi era to remove Jewish names and was inadequately revised after World War II, leaving many Jewish names still missing. Dr. Michael Blume, anti-Semitism commissioner in Baden-Württemberg, called for the reform in order to convey a more contemporary image and to better reflect the cultural diversity of the German population. “The reform of the spelling board can help to send a positive signal,” says Blume in this context.

Overcoming historical burdens

The need to reject the old board was also highlighted by the fact that it had an unequal gender ratio - 16 male and only 6 female first names. So the old spelling board was not only a relic from the past, but it was also no longer up to date. The new board is intended to compensate for this in the future.

Despite the official introduction of the new food bank, many people are having difficulty adapting. The old spelling board is still widely used, and major institutions such as police and fire departments continue to rely on their internal systems. Many companies are also hesitant to undertake the effort required to make the change. A comprehensive change therefore still seems to be a long way off.

A look into the future

However, the reform is not just about rejecting the old values ​​- it is also a step into the future. The new city names, which are based on well-known vehicle license plates, should be clearly understandable and possibly also meet international standards. However, there are still a number of challenges ahead for a possible international spelling board.

Given the current discussions about national identity and inclusion, the spelling board reform is a good example of how language and culture continue to evolve. It turns out that not everything that has been a tradition for decades remains sustainable. And so it remains exciting to see how spelling practice will develop and whether the new board will ultimately find the acceptance it deserves. The reform could help establish a new, contemporary culture of spelling that meets the challenges of today.

For detailed information on the reform and the background, see Merkur and Stuttgarter News.