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New Book: Bamberger Dialekt

Lieselotte Tomaschek has just published her second edition of this delightful little 80 page booklet (size 8" by 5 1/2"). It is both funny and practical, with translations of hundreds of expression into both formal German ("Hoch Deutsch") and English -- even some that are beer related such as "a U" (meaning "one Ungespundetes bier").

We have a few copies available for sale in our online shop. It is also available in many bookstores in Bamberg, such as Görres (Grüner Markt 5, 96047 Bamberg. Toll Free 0800/4637737 or in Bamberg 980840).

I asked Mrs. Tomaschek how she came to write this book. She sent me such an interesting story, that I had to share it with you...

Yesterday evening my friend Thomas and I went to Mahrs Bräu to a Xmas market. It was very good, having some bock in the yard. It was very cold, Mr Michel [the owner of Mahrs ed.] had put wooden torches there, a brass band was playing and Mr Gänstaller was showing how to make brandy in a large copper distillery. We met some friends and had a very nice evening there.

What shall I write about my life or my idea to write a dialect book?

My father died, when I was fifteen years old. He was a great person, very liberal and tolerant. I learned soon to love nature, music, books, languages... and I still do.

When I was eighteen, I couldn' t decide (You must know, I'm "balanced") what to study: Medicine, languages, biochemistry. After having finished my studies of medicine in Würzburg and having worked (urology, then neurology) for some years I began to miss something. As I had no more time to read, to play piano or guitar, to go in for sports (paddling, hiking, racing bike, swimming), I wanted to change something in my life. And not to forget: I have a real charming daughter from my former "great love", born in 1988, during my studies. And I wanted of course also to be a good mother.

So I decided to make an additional training to scientific journalism, discovering my tendency to local journalism, no matter what themes had to be written. Going outside, interviewing people, taking pictures, coming home to the editioral office and writing, like the text was in my head. I loved this work, working for the Fränkischer Tag [the local newspaper. ed.] in Bamberg and the "Kitzinger" in Kitzingen. But the problem in Germany is: No money!! So much people without work. Taxes! I was asked to write medical themes for our local physician association, for free!? I said to myself: Okay, do your own job, try to do something. and to be successful, do what you like to do: Talking to people, writing, writing something. what interests people. And in the meantime I sold more than 1000 books in Bamberg, and I'm writing my next book. I also have the manuskripts to prove it. Lot of work, 12 hours a day, but having fun.

I hate: cats, caviar, intolerant and envious people, misanthrops and persons who don't love children; I'm no fan of Karl Moik!

I love: Friendly people, children and dogs, Franconian beer, biking, nature (big fan of birds), French/Italian/Bohemian meals, music ( from Eminem to Opera, especially Richard Strauss, Wagner and Puccini); I'm great fan of Peter Seiffert (a fabulous tenor singer from Düsseldorf), Freddy Mercury, Matt Johnson, Guesch Patti.

Why a dialect book? Beause we have a lot of dialect litterature, very good, but only for insiders. My intention was to bring people together, to show, how interesting the native language can be, to help to understand the natives. And also to amuse the reader, I didn't want to make a dull reference book.

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