Difference between revisions of "Berliner"
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Some people assume that [[John F. Kennedy]] referred to this food when he said ''"Ich bin ein Berliner."''in a speech that he made in [[West Berlin]] on June 26, 1963. | Some people assume that [[John F. Kennedy]] referred to this food when he said ''"Ich bin ein Berliner."''in a speech that he made in [[West Berlin]] on June 26, 1963. | ||
| − | The sentence is grammatically correct German, albeit ambiguous in meaning - ''"Berliner"'' | + | The sentence is grammatically correct German, albeit ambiguous in meaning - ''"Berliner"'' is intended to mean''"person from Berlin"'' (compare to "[[New York]]er"), in which case the sentence translates to ''"I am a person from Berlin"'' rather than ''"I am a donut"'' - clearly, the "donut" meaning can be taken literally. It is obvious what Kennedy intended, as the other translation makes no sense and would have no place in a diplomatic speech. |
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Additionally, the food was not called "Berliner" in that region at that time, but rather "''Pfannkuchen''" (pancake) {{fact}}. | Additionally, the food was not called "Berliner" in that region at that time, but rather "''Pfannkuchen''" (pancake) {{fact}}. | ||
[[Category:Food and drink]] | [[Category:Food and drink]] | ||
Revision as of 17:02, April 11, 2007
A Berliner Pfannkuchen (often called simply Berliner) is a type of donut common in parts of Germany, especially Berlin. It is usually filled with jam or marmalade, and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Some people assume that John F. Kennedy referred to this food when he said "Ich bin ein Berliner."in a speech that he made in West Berlin on June 26, 1963.
The sentence is grammatically correct German, albeit ambiguous in meaning - "Berliner" is intended to mean"person from Berlin" (compare to "New Yorker"), in which case the sentence translates to "I am a person from Berlin" rather than "I am a donut" - clearly, the "donut" meaning can be taken literally. It is obvious what Kennedy intended, as the other translation makes no sense and would have no place in a diplomatic speech. Additionally, the food was not called "Berliner" in that region at that time, but rather "Pfannkuchen" (pancake)[Citation Needed].