Wissenschafts- und Fachsprache
Wissenschaftssprache — for English Speakers
Introduction
German academic language (Wissenschaftssprache) has specific conventions: impersonal constructions ('Es sei darauf hingewiesen'), hedging ('Die vorliegende Untersuchung legt nahe'), nominalizations, and passive-heavy style. English academic writing shares many of these features ('It should be noted', 'The present study suggests'), making the conceptual transfer smooth. The challenge is the German-specific formulations and the higher density of nominal constructions.
German vs English
In German
Im Folgenden wird dargelegt, dass...
In English
In the following, it will be demonstrated that...
Key Difference
Nearly identical academic formula — impersonal passive + formal connector.
In German
Die vorliegende Untersuchung zeigt...
In English
The present study shows...
Key Difference
Direct parallel — 'vorliegend' = 'present/current' in academic context.
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
Ich denke, dass... (too personal for academic writing)
German academic style avoids first person even more strictly than English does.
Das beweist, dass die Theorie richtig ist. (too strong)
Academic German hedges heavily — use 'legt nahe' (suggests), 'scheint' (appears), 'dürfte' (probably is).
Practice Examples
Es sei darauf hingewiesen, dass die Daten vorläufig sind.
It should be noted that the data is preliminary.
Daraus lässt sich schließen, dass weitere Forschung nötig ist.
From this, it can be concluded that further research is needed.
Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass ein Zusammenhang besteht.
The results indicate that a connection exists.
Memory Tip
Academic German loves three things: impersonal 'es', passive constructions, and hedging with 'dürfte/scheint/legt nahe'.
View Grammar Rule
Wissenschafts- und Fachsprache
Wissenschaftssprache — C1
Practice Exercises
Wissenschafts- und Fachsprache Übungen
8 exercises
Other Languages
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