Wikipedia claims that is just an urban legend, but I heard it from a native-German German language teacher. She said it was an amusing error, but the German people understood & appreciated what JFK meant. I would especially appreciate answers from native Germans on this question.
2007-04-16 08:02:15 · 9 answers · asked by Ray Eston Smith Jr 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I am German and I can tell you that the statement is grammatically correct, and everyone will understand what it means, but at the same time the translation "I am a jelly doughnut" is correct as well, and I have heard this joke many a time among us Germans (in fact it's a lame joke but it's a joke anyway). You could also say "I am a Hamburger" and mean that you are a guy from Hamburg, but on the other hand ...
2007-04-16 09:36:13 · answer #1 · answered by NaturalBornKieler 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Grammatically, "Ich bin ein Berliner" is acceptable. Not necessarily the common usage, but it is passing. In context (and context is oh-so-important), it is entirely unambiguous. There can be no doubt as to what Kennedy said or meant. Sure, the article is unneccesary, but in context it offers little to no ambiguity.
If I recall the story correctly, JFK had practiced his speech in front of Berlin natives (or at the very least, German-speaking natives)--who would've pointed out such a mistake. Of course, he did have a bit of a Boston accent; that's not at issue here, though. Given his Boston accent, in fact, it probably made more sense to include "ein"--he would've sounded a bit silly claiming to be a native of Berlin (as 'Ich bin Berliner' would have implied.) Remember, folks, context is all-important, and his usage was undoubtedly given/checked by a professional or native interpreter.
So, no--urban legend indeed. No one thought he was referencing a doughnut--consult a Yahoo! search to verify. There've been numerous articles published on the topic.
2007-04-16 08:18:53 · answer #2 · answered by Wade R 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Yes, that would be correct. A "Berliner" is a type of jelly doughnut (and quite delicious, I might add). It can also mean someone from Berlin. However, its grammatical use in a sentence changes the meaning. If you mean to say that you are a citizen of a certain city, you would not use the determiner "ein" in front of the name of the city. If you wanted to say you are from Berlin, you would say, "Ich bin Berliner." Likewise, it would also seem funny to Germans if you were to say, "Ich bin ein Hamburger." If you wanted to say that you come from the city of Hamburg, you would say, "Ich bin Hamburger."
Incidentally, the sandwich that we know as "hamburger" can be loosely translated as "the sandwich that originated in Hamburg." It doesn't mean that it's made from ham.
2007-04-16 08:16:19 · answer #3 · answered by FUNdie 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
a Berliner is a citizen of the town Berlin (this is what JFK meant - I am a Berliner). it can also be a baker's good (it's something like a donut, filled with raspberry marmelade) what makes it so funny.
2007-04-16 08:10:29 · answer #4 · answered by hahu077 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm American, but he meant "Ich bin Berlin."
It's true, listen for yourself.
Wikipedia is not always accurate.
2007-04-16 08:08:17 · answer #5 · answered by MONK 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
He meant he was one with the citizens of Berlin.
One of them. = One Berliner
2007-04-16 08:55:34 · answer #6 · answered by Martha P 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That was first told to me by a friend who is from Munich, so I guess it is true.
2007-04-16 08:18:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, that's what it means.
2007-04-16 08:20:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it means I have been to Berlin
2007-04-16 08:09:51 · answer #9 · answered by George S 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ich_bin_ein_Berliner
should answer your question.
2007-04-16 08:08:33 · answer #10 · answered by Morey000 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋