leitkultur

n. mainstream or guiding culture. Subjects: German, Germany

Etymological Note: German leit ‘leading (adj.); leader’ + kultur ‘culture’

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Citations: 1995 Stephan Speicher Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (Mar. 8) “Europa ist nicht Biarritz” p. 39: Immer noch befassten sich Buerger und Medien lieber mit der (nationalen) Innenpolitik, als mit aussen- oder europapolitischen Fragen. So komme es darauf an, ein Bewusstsein der gemeinsamen europaeischen Kultur zu entwickeln. Dass eine Leitkultur, wie es die franzoesische ueber Jahrhunderte war, nicht mehr anerkannt wird, soll dabei nicht stoeren; vielmehr zur Anerkennung des Reichtums fuehren. 2000 Erik Kirschbaum @ Berlin, Germany (Reuters) (Oct. 25) “German conservatives push for immigration controls”: Merz, CDU parliamentary floor leader, has been criticised for saying foreigners had no choice but to accept German as the “dominant culture,” using the term German “Leitkultur” that raised memories of terms used by the Nazis. 2001 Imre Karacs @ Berlin, Germany The Independent (London, England) (Apr. 12) “‘Stress Society’ Makes More Time For Fun” p. 15: There has been much talk in recent months of the emerging Spasskultur—roughly translatable as “fun ethos,” and not to be confused with Leitkultur. The latter is an undefined mishmash of traditional German values with which, according to some conservative politicians, immigrants should be force-fed. 2004 Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (Germany) (Nov. 22) @ BBC News “European press review”: “This debate,” it adds, “must not omit the issue of a (German) ‘Leitkultur’ (guiding culture), nor the commitments which a self-confident society…not ashamed of its Christian foundations may require of those who live in its midst.”

Posted 26 Nov 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend