The code of good scientific practice of the German Research Foundation (DFG), in force since 2019, sets the rules for authorship. An author is a person who has made a genuine and traceable contribution to the content of a publication. Eine Leitungs- oder Vorgesetztenfunktion begründet für sich allein keine Mitautorschaft. A leading or supervisory position does not by itself justify co-authorship. Eine Ehrenautorschaft, bei der gerade kein solcher Beitrag geleistet wurde, ist nicht zulässig. Honorary authorship, without such a contribution, is not permitted.
Singing for the Chair
zum Vorsingen eingeladen werden — to be invited to sing for an audition. In university jargon, Duden explains, it means being invited to give a lecture in order to present oneself as a candidate for a professorship. At the University of Potsdam, for example, shortlisted candidates give a trial lecture that is open to the university. The appointment committee includes professors, academic staff and students.
Who Teaches Does Not Examine
In the system of vocational training run by the chambers of industry and commerce, more than 150,000 volunteer examiners sit on more than 30,000 examination boards. They come from working life, and every year they hold more than 600,000 interim and final examinations. A principle of the system is Wer lehrt, prüft nicht, the person who teaches does not examine. These figures are from 2018 and cover only the chambers of industry and commerce, not the chambers of crafts.
The Topping-Out Ceremony
A German Richtfest, a topping-out ceremony, is held when the shell of a building is finished. The craftsmen and all the other helpers are invited. One of the carpenters or the site foreman gives a short speech, with thanks to the architect and the owner and a request for God’s blessing on the house. The roof is decorated with a wreath or a small tree. The tradition goes back to the 14th century. A common saying fits the order: Erst die Arbeit, dann das Vergnügen, first the work, then the pleasure.
The Matter Comes First
The German psychologist Sylvia Schroll-Machl describes Sachorientierung, orientation toward the matter, as a German cultural standard. In 2004, in a box headed Wir Deutschen, we Germans, she wrote: Die Sache ist uns wichtiger als die Person. The matter is more important to us than the person. Wir können durchaus mit jemandem auf sachlicher Ebene zusammenarbeiten, obwohl wir uns persönlich nicht besonders mögen. We can certainly work with someone on a factual level, even though we do not particularly like each other personally. In the same series she warns that thinking this alone is enough for working together is der häufigste deutsche Irrtum, the most common German mistake.
Both Exist for Science
Around 1810 Wilhelm von Humboldt wrote a memorandum on the organization of the higher scientific institutions in Berlin. Humboldt led the founding of the new Berlin university in 1810, and the text reflects his idea of it. Das Verhältniss zwischen Lehrer und Schüler wird daher durchaus ein anderes als vorher. Der erstere ist nicht für die letzteren, Beide sind für die Wissenschaft da. The relationship between teacher and student therefore becomes entirely different from before. The former is not there for the latter. Both are there for science.
Enough Words
In the prelude to Goethe’s Faust, a theater director talks with his poet and his comic actor about the play they must put on. He cuts the discussion short. Der Worte sind genug gewechselt, / Laßt mich auch endlich Taten sehn! / Indes ihr Komplimente drechselt, / Kann etwas Nützliches geschehn. Enough words have been exchanged, let me at last see deeds! While you are turning compliments, something useful could be done. The first two lines are often quoted.
The Orchestra Votes
A new player in a German orchestra first wins an audition. In a judgment of 25 October 2017, the Federal Labor Court quoted the audition rules of one state theater orchestra. Das Probespiel ist kein Wettbewerb im üblichen Sinne, sondern eine Einstellungsprüfung. The audition is not a competition in the usual sense, but an entrance examination. The winner then gets a contract for a probation year, as a rule. Before the year ends, the section, the artistic council, the chief conductor and the orchestra board discuss the candidate and vote in writing and in secret. After that, every member of the orchestra has a week to cast a vote. The candidate needs an absolute majority of the votes cast.
Only Those Who Passed
Section 51 of the Crafts Code protects a title. In a trade that requires a license, only a person who has passed the master’s examination in that trade may use the title Meister or Meisterin together with the name of the trade. In everyday speech, the recognition is shorter. Er ist vom Fach, he is of the field. Duden explains it as: he is an expert and knows his way around this area.
A Fellow in Office
der Kollege — the colleague. The word came into German in the 16th century from Latin collega, which DWDS explains as Amts-, Standesgenosse, a fellow holder of an office or rank.
Herr Kollege, Frau Kollegin — the form of address among professionals. One of Duden’s examples is die Herren Kollegen von der Opposition, the gentlemen colleagues from the opposition.
kollegial — collegial. Duden: in keeping with a good relationship between colleagues. Das war nicht sehr kollegial von ihm. That was not very collegial of him.
mit kollegialem Gruß — with collegial greetings, a letter closing from one colleague to another