How to Learn Medieval German
German is a much older language than English; German is actually an ancestor of English. The German language dates back as early as c. 750, referred to as "Old High German," which was spoken until the 10th or 11th century. Middle German denotes the period from c. 1050 to c. 1500, and Modern German, the German that is widely spoken today, began in c. 1500. Due to the esotericism of medieval German, the only way to learn it is by studying at a university, as no one speaks it anymore and language schools will only teach modern German. A bachelor's degree in medieval German language and literature will offer the most comprehensive study of medieval German. You may be able to audit a few courses for interest without actually completing an entire degree.
Instructions
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Find universities near you that offer medieval German studies. Some well-known universities that offer degrees in medieval German language and literature include Oxford University in England and Victoria University in New Zealand. Many large universities offer German studies that may include medieval German courses, and some universities have a general medieval studies department that may offer German courses.
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Contact the registrar's offices of the universities you are interested in and find out the requirements for applying. You may need a copy of your high school transcript. If you are not interested in completing a degree, ask if you can sit in on lectures (audit) without handing in assignments or taking the exam.
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Submit application forms to the universities you are interested in attending. University application forms are often completed and submitted online, and may cost a fee.
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Enroll in medieval German courses once you have been accepted. Check the course catalog for available courses.
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Study German on your own before school starts by borrowing some books on basic German from a library. Modern German is a difficult language to master and involves complicated grammar; medieval German language and literature will be even harder.
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References
Resources
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