Einleitung
Themenwahl und Problemstellung
In today's era of individualism and advanced media, including social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, where information can be accessed instantly and emotions are expressed through emojis, it is intriguing to explore modern attitudes towards death These perspectives are crucial to understanding grief culture, as they manifest prominently in death announcements Grümer and Helmrich (1994: 62) highlight the significance of examining how contemporary society perceives dying, death, and mourning.
The obituary serves as a significant source of information regarding modern society's relationship with death, acting as a vital medium for public mourning and personal grief This raises the question of whether obituaries are merely a conventional text type focused on announcing a death, or if they are influenced by underlying social and cultural factors Key characteristics of obituaries and their unique attributes warrant exploration, highlighting their role beyond simple announcements to reflect deeper societal sentiments and cultural practices surrounding death.
Death notices represent a specific genre of text that serves various communicative functions and holds a significant societal role They are not merely written public announcements of a death and memorial service but also act as "open letters to the deceased," expressing feelings, love, honor, and wishes from the bereaved through diverse vocabulary and expressions This multifaceted nature of death notices makes them a compelling subject for research in text linguistics Furthermore, death notices are not only a focus of linguistic study but also of cultural studies, allowing for analysis from both textual and cultural perspectives.
Death notices reflect specific cultural contexts and are significantly influenced by the cultural conventions and factors of the respective country Consequently, death notices are deeply shaped by the mourning culture, and in turn, one can recognize a country's mourning culture through its death notices.
Despite existing research on obituaries, including comparisons between German obituaries and those from other countries, a literature review reveals a lack of scientific studies focusing on the contrastive representation and analysis of German and Vietnamese obituaries from linguistic and cultural perspectives These identified gaps and motivations have prompted the selection of this topic for the current work, which aims to explore the similarities and differences in both linguistic and cultural aspects.
Zielsetzung und Forschungsfragen
This study primarily posits that obituaries represent a specific genre with distinct characteristics It focuses on a contrastive analysis at the text-linguistic level to highlight the similarities and differences in obituaries Additionally, the research aims to explore cultural differences in mourning practices between Germany and Vietnam Ultimately, the work seeks to convey essential aspects of mourning culture in both countries and the relationship of individuals in these societies to death.
Im Mittelpunkt der vorliegenden Untersuchung stehen folgende Fragen:
Welche Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede in textlinguistischer Hinsicht gibt es zwischen den deutschen und vietnamesischen Todesanzeigen?
Wie kửnnen die Unterschiede aus kultureller Hinsicht erklọrt werden?
Forschungsstand
The topic of death notices is a subject of research for several master's and doctoral theses in Germany, explored from various perspectives Gerhards and Melzer (1996) conducted a quantitative content analysis of the semantics of death notices collected from Leipzig's daily newspapers between 1893 and 1994 to test the hypothesis that changes in the semantics of death notices serve as an indicator of secularization processes.
Hürlscher (2005) collected obituaries from selected regional newspapers spanning from 1902 to 2002 and analyzed the structures of these obituaries in her master's thesis The study reveals findings on the macrostructure of German obituaries, highlighting macrostructural features at both syntactic and lexical levels This analysis allows for a comparison of obituaries from wartime versus peacetime, illustrating the evolution of mourning culture in Germany over a specified period However, the thesis does not address the further developments in mourning culture and their impact on language.
Müller (2009) focuses on the analysis of death notices through genre analysis, examining them as a communicative genre that reflects perspectives from both the deceased and their survivors Her research concludes that survivors express their feelings, honors, and tributes to the deceased not only in death notices but also in obituaries, indicating that the study of death notices encompasses this broader communicative context The work highlights moral communication that pertains not only to the deceased but also to the bereaved, showcasing various representation and emphasis strategies within this communicative genre.
In his analysis of death notices published in the Weser Kurier, a Bremen daily newspaper, Dirschauer (2012) examines the years 1970 to 1971 He concludes that, despite a significant increase in mortality rates during this period, the number of death notices in the newspaper actually decreased.
In the article "The Obituary: A Posthumous Life Announcement," the author examines the shift in terminology from "passed away" to "mourning for," highlighting verbs that have remained prevalent for the past 40 years He also explores the evolving consciousness of death, changes in symbolism, and the paradigm shift in obituaries Finally, he categorizes the different types of obituaries, providing brief yet clear explanations for each type.
In addition to the mentioned authors and scholarly works, there are further contributions to the study of death announcements and the evolution of mourning culture While death announcements have been analyzed from various perspectives—including structural analysis, changes in mourning culture, moral communication between the deceased and the bereaved, and the use of euphemisms in German, Polish, and Spanish—there has yet to be a scientific contrastive study of death announcements in German and Vietnamese Therefore, this work aims to highlight the cultural components of mourning.
Forschungsmethoden und Aufbau der Arbeit
Die vorliegende Arbeit gliedert sich in fünf Kapitel: Darstellung der theoretischen Grundlagen und empirische Untersuchung der erhobenen Todesanzeigen anhand der erstellten Korpora
The theoretical section of this paper is grounded in key literature sources within the field of text linguistics, including Fandrych and Thurmair's 2011 work on text types in German from a language didactic perspective, Brinker’s 2014 introduction to linguistic text analysis covering fundamental concepts and methods, Gansel and Jürgens' 2009 exploration of text linguistics and text grammar, and Fix, Poethe, and Yos' 2003 guide to text linguistics and stylistics for beginners.
Heinemann and Heinnemann (2002) and Sandig (2006) provide essential guidelines and foundational knowledge for this work on text linguistics The study begins by exploring the theoretical underpinnings of text linguistics, elucidating key concepts such as text, text features, text types, cohesion, and coherence, as defined in the existing literature.
This study focuses on the analysis of 140 selected private death notices, comprising 70 German and 70 Vietnamese announcements It employs both qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the significance and characteristics of these notices.
140 ausgewọhlten offiziellen Todesanzeigen (jeweils 70 deutsche und 70 vietnamesische Todesanzeigen) im Zeitraum von 2016 - 2018
In the quantitative data collection process, two corpora are created for German and Vietnamese advertisements These corpora are developed using specific linguistic criteria grounded in theoretical foundations, and are organized in an Excel file.
From a text linguistic and cultural perspective, obituaries are categorized based on their primary and secondary functions, including farewell, description of the deceased, announcements of memorial services, expression of emotions, gratitude, love, and the articulation of wishes and hopes These functions are statistically analyzed, with results presented as percentages This analysis aims to determine whether each obituary fulfills all these functions and identifies which functions are mandatory and must be included.
The structure of official and private obituaries can be analyzed based on selected examples from both German and Vietnamese languages The data is coded and evaluated in percentages to determine the frequency of linguistic elements used in the construction of obituaries in these two languages The focus is on how often each structural component appears in German and Vietnamese obituaries.
Merkmalsausprọgung vorkommt und wie die Tendenz bei der Gestaltung einer Todesanzeige aussieht Die Unterschiede in der Textstruktur lassen sich aus der kulturellen Sicht erlọutern
The qualitative analysis examines obituary notices from a text-linguistic perspective, focusing on the communication context, text functions, and linguistic features The findings reveal significant linguistic characteristics and lexical phenomena that play a crucial role in obituaries from both Germany and Vietnam, highlighting typical death vocabulary and formulaic expressions in each language The empirical study compares obituaries between the two countries using applied theories and methodological approaches, supported by extensive corpora It aims to answer key questions regarding the differences between the languages and their explanations, as well as the unique aspects of mourning culture in each region Each point includes a comparison with Vietnamese obituaries, followed by an exploration of the differences based on specific cultural components.
Grundbegriffe
Text
Im Mittelpunkt dieses Teils stehen die Theorien von Brinker (2014), Heinemann/Heinemann (2002) und Adamzik (2004) über die Definition vom
„Text“ Sie prọsentieren und erlọutern verschiedene nach unterschiedlichen Forschungsrichtungen ausformulierte Textdefinitionen
In ihrem verửffentlichen Werk „Textlinguistik Eine einfỹhrende Darstellung“ ist Adamzik (2004: 47) beim Entwurf einer entsprechenden Textdefinition der Meinung, dass Text ein komplexer und vielfọltiger Gegenstand der Wissenschaft
The text should be understood as complex and multifaceted, emphasizing that it should be defined in colloquial terms rather than in overly scientific language The author argues that many existing definitions focus only on specific features or aspects of a text Instead of providing a strict definition, she suggests that the text should be viewed as a prototypical concept Consequently, the distinction between what constitutes a text is less important than recognizing that a text embodies essential characteristics typical of a particular category.
Heinemann and Heinemann (2002) differentiate between written texts and spoken texts based on their distinct structures and communicative functions They argue for a multifaceted definition of text, contrasting "feature definitions" with "verbal definitions." Feature definitions from the 1970s and 1980s highlight only specific aspects of texts without showing their interconnections, defining texts based on grammatical, semantic, pragmatic-communicative, and cognitive criteria This leads to confusion in practical applications, as these definitions are not comprehensive and only enumerate limited characteristics Additionally, verbal definitions pose challenges because they typically mention only one key feature, leaving other textual characteristics implied.
The article presents "complex verbal definitions" that analyze and characterize the text through various distinctive features based on its purpose Notable text definitions include those by Graustein/Neubert (1979), Heinemann/Viehweger (1991), Strohner (1997), and Heinemann (2002) This work is grounded in Heinemann's comprehensive text definition.
A text serves as a cohesive unit within discourse, recognized by social actors as a pragmatic, semantic, and formal entity Communicators create and interpret texts based on specific social or psychological motivations, adhering to successful global text patterns These texts aim to convey and comprehend thematically organized information units to achieve the partners' action goals within broader interaction events The elements of utterances are cohesively related, with coherence arising from text-driven connections and the inference of prior knowledge regarding the construction of text meaning.
In this context, a text is defined as a "unit of discourse" and serves as the foundation for linguistic communication It is understood as a complex grammatical and thematic unit shaped by semantic and pragmatic elements, possessing a specific formal structure Functionally, a text aims to achieve the communicative goals of both the producer and recipient while conveying the producer's intent Additionally, a text represents a harmony between textual features in the surface structure and characteristic components in the deep structure, such as informativeness, situativity, intentionality, and intertextuality, with cohesion and coherence playing a crucial role in the overall text connection.
In ĩbereinstimmung mit Heinemann/Heinemann (2002) orientiert sich Brinker (2014: 11f) im Rahmen der Textlinguistik an einem Entwurf eines integrativen
The article examines the concept of "text" in everyday language as a foundation for scientific engagement with linguistic text definitions It explains specific criteria, illustrated with examples, that qualify a series of consecutive sentences in everyday language as a text Ultimately, it concludes that consecutive sentences are recognized as a text only when they are coherent in content and theme.
The article analyzes two main approaches in text linguistics that define texts in different ways: the language-systematic approach and the communication-oriented approach from the early 1970s The first approach, rooted in structuralist linguistics and generative transformational grammar, assimilates the text with the sentence, focusing on structural analysis of linguistic units, thus prioritizing sentence analysis By the mid-1960s, text linguistics expanded the concept of text to define it as a grammatically linked sequence of sentences, emphasizing the feature of "coherence." The second approach examines the communicative function of texts through linguistic pragmatics, viewing the text as a medium of communication between the producer and recipient Here, the "communicative function" of a text becomes central to the analysis After weighing the pros and cons of these approaches, Brinker proposes an integrative definition of text, describing it as a limited sequence of linguistic signs that is coherent and signals a recognizable communicative function This definition encompasses both the linguistic and communicative aspects of a text, considering grammatical and thematic levels.
The concept of communicative function in speech act theory serves as the foundation for understanding the notion of a text, emphasizing the distinction between everyday and linguistic meanings Brinker (2014) highlights significant properties of a text, which can be observed in the varied usage of the term "text" in everyday language versus text linguistics He advocates for a comprehensive coherence concept that examines different aspects—grammatical, thematic, and pragmatic—both explicitly and implicitly Furthermore, his differentiation between grammatical and thematic coherence conditions can be interpreted as a distinction between coherence and cohesion.
The textual concepts of Heinemann/Heinemann and Brinker align closely, highlighting the communicative functions and formal and thematic elements that ensure sentence connections both internally and externally within a text However, Brinker presents a differing perspective in his analysis While Heinemann/Heinemann emphasize the main textual criteria of coherence and cohesion, Brinker distinguishes between grammatical cohesion and thematic coherence, associating the former with cohesion and the latter with coherence Additionally, Heinemann/Heinemann's definition of text includes the textuality features of "intertextuality" and "situativity."
The comparison of definitions reveals that the concept of "text" proposed by Heinemann/Heinemann is broader than that of Brinker Therefore, this study adopts the text concept of Heinemann/Heinemann as the theoretical foundation for further research.
Textsorte
The concept of text is defined in various ways by different authors, leading to a diverse understanding of its classification When focusing on text classification, one must consider the criteria that underpin this process As will be demonstrated, every text belongs to a specific genre, which is characterized by unique textual features inherent to that genre.
Heinemann/Heinemann (2002: 142) emphasize the significance of the scope of a text type within various social and communicative structures They describe "text type" as a classification of texts that possess a relatively limited scope, which is associated with a lower level of abstraction from the underlying real-world orders.
According to Heinemann (2002: 143), a text type is defined as a category of texts that share specific textual features and belong to a particular limited scope These features are linked to social structures Text classes are hierarchically divided into levels.
Text-Typ informierender Text Schrift-Text
Textsortenklasse 2 Schrift-Text Rechts-Text
Textsortenklasse 1 Zeitungs-Text Text der Rechtsfestlegung
The hierarchical classification of text types, as presented by Heinemann/Heinemann (2002), is clearly structured, with all levels assigned within a horizontal hierarchy The authors prefer the model of text type, text class, and text genre, noting inconsistencies in the use of "text type" and "text class" within text linguistics However, their classification can be confusing, as the position of written texts varies across different genres This indicates that text classification depends on the classifier used Heinemann/Heinemann categorize written texts, political texts, media texts, and everyday texts under "text type," raising concerns about whether these categories include non-written texts Similarly, Linke/Nussbaumer/Portmann (2004) define text genres as groups of similar texts distinguished by specific features They assert that there is currently no universally accepted classification of text genres or a method for categorizing texts Consequently, they propose a classification based on internal and external criteria, with internal criteria including phonetic, graphical elements, word choice, sentence structure, theme development, and text patterns, while external criteria encompass text function, communication medium, and situational context.
Abbildung 2: Textklassifikationskriterien (Linke/Nussbaumer/Portmann 2004: 281)
The illustration allows for a detailed classification of a text based on internal and external criteria, meaning that the dominant characteristics of the text are analyzed, leading to its categorization into the appropriate text type.
In contrast to the hierarchical classification by Heinemann/Heinemann, Linke/Nussbaumer/Portmann focus on different dimensions in text type description, specifically examining both internal and external features of a text By analyzing these characteristics, an effective impact on text classification can be achieved Thus, the framework provided by Linke/Nussbaumer/Portmann enhances and supports the process of text categorization.
Im Vergleich zu den Ansọtzen von Heinemann/Heinemann und Linke/Nussbaumer/Portmann arbeiten Gansel/Jürgens (2009) in eine andere
Richtung und halten fest, dass man einen Text nicht nur „von Textsortenbenennung“ betrachtet, sondern analysiert vielmehr seine
„Kommunikationsbereiche“ und seine „funktionale Ausdifferenzierung in
Textklassifikationskriterien textintern textextern an die Text-
- Satzbaumuster an die Text- Tiefenstruktur gebunden z.B
- Textstrukturmuster an den Kommunikations zusammenhang gebunden z.B
14 gesellschaftlichen Systemen“ Hinsichtlich des Ansatzes
In their work "Text Classification Criteria," Linke, Nussbaumer, and Portmann explore the extent to which both internal and external factors should be considered in text classification and description They emphasize that internal criteria encompass not only grammatical and semantic aspects but also stylistic features External criteria, as noted by Gansel and Jürgens, pertain to the communication context and the communicative situation Ultimately, they conclude that both internal and external factors are essential for accurate text classification and description.
Brinker (2014) builds upon Dimter's 1981 findings, emphasizing that the classification of everyday language text types is fundamentally linked to three key categories: functional, content-related, and situational These categories—communication situation, text function, and text content—are identified as the essential criteria for effective text classification (Brinker 2014: 136).
The article categorizes text types through examples and emphasizes that they are shaped by three key characteristics: text function, content, and communication situation Among these, the text function is of paramount importance, as it enables the text producer to elicit specific actions from the text recipients From a theoretical perspective, Brinker defines text types accordingly.
Text types are conventionally established patterns for complex linguistic actions, characterized by typical connections of contextual, communicative-functional, and structural features They have historically developed within language communities and form part of the everyday knowledge of speakers While they exert a normative influence, they also facilitate communication by providing speakers with a relatively fixed orientation for both the production and reception of texts.
Brinker’s definition of text types is detailed and comprehensive, emphasizing their communicative function as products of society Each text type is designed and conventionalized according to specific norms, facilitating the production and reception of similar texts Additionally, every text type possesses shared dominant characteristics in both surface and deep structures, which ultimately enhances its effectiveness in societal communication.
Busch/Stenschke (2018) behaupten, dass Textsorten „begrenzte Mengen von Textexemplaren mit spezifischen Gemeinsamkeiten“ sind Diese Gemeinsamkeiten sind in Hinsicht
- „des Layouts oder der ọuòeren Textgestalt;
- situativer Bedingungen (Kommmunikationskontext und Medium);
Hier sind auch Differenzierungsmerkmale einer Textsorte zu erkennen Die Analyse der Textsorte von Busch/Stenschke gibt eine konkretere Erlọuterung der Theorie von Brinker.
Textualitọtsmerkmale
Nach der generellen ĩbersicht ỹber die Begriffe „Text“ und „Textsorte“ sollen im Folgenden die Textualitọtsmerkmale nọher betrachtet werden
The textuality features of various authors can be analyzed to determine if a linguistic construct qualifies as a text According to Brinker (2014: 133), a text must exhibit certain textuality characteristics Examining these features is crucial, as they serve as guidelines for distinguishing between a text and a non-text.
Text anhand seiner Merkmale einer bestimmten Textsorte zugeordnet werden Im Folgenden werden die wichtigsten Textualitọtsmerkmale vorgestellt
Fix, Poethe, and Yos (2003: 16ff.) reference the study on textuality features by De Beaugrande and Dressler (1981), identifying seven key textuality characteristics They provide clear explanations for each of these features, enhancing the understanding of textual coherence and cohesion.
Kohọsion: Nach Fix/Poethe/Yos (2003: 16) bezieht sich das Kriterium der
Cohesion refers to the grammatical connections that link sentences on the surface of a text It involves the arrangement and structure of words and sentences, characterized by the use of pronouns, attributes, and other elements Essentially, cohesion denotes the grammatical and formal relationships between all sentences within a text.
Coherence is a criterion that ensures the semantic connection within the deep structure of a text, where all linguistic signs form a meaningful and thematic unity It establishes a sensory link between the knowledge conveyed in the text and the reader's world knowledge.
Intentionalitọt: Bei diesem Kriterium handelt es sich um die Textfunktion
Jeder Text wird nach der Intention des Textproduzenten produziert und orientiert sich daher nach bestimmten kommunikativen Sprachhandlungen (vgl
Akzeptabilitọt: Das Kriterium der Akzeptabilitọt bezieht sich auf „den
Text recipients expect a cohesive and coherent text that is useful or relevant to them This criterion is centered around the reader's perspective For a text to be understood and interpreted by the recipient, it is essential that both the formal, grammatical, and semantic-thematic connections are maintained at the surface and deep structure levels, making the content meaningful and aligned with the reader's expectations.
Informativität refers to the specific message conveyed by a text, reflecting the intention of the producer To ensure this message resonates with the recipient, the text aligns with the intended communication goal and the relevant linguistic actions Thus, the criterion of informativity extends beyond the internal content, emphasizing that the information presented in a text should be appropriately related to the communication objective.
Situationality refers to the idea that every text is produced within a specific context and is dependent on that context The situation plays a crucial role in shaping how a text is constructed, as well as when and for what purpose it is utilized.
Intertextuality encompasses not only the intertextual connections between texts of the same genre, known as typological intertextuality, but also the referential relationships between a specific text type and other individual texts, referred to as referential intertextuality.
In their research on texts and text types, Fix, Poethe, and Yos (2003) propose an eighth criterion, culturality, emphasizing its significance in the analysis and classification of text types They argue that incorporating the cultural factor is essential, as text types are inherently shaped by cultural influences and often transcend cultural boundaries.
In methodischer Anlehnung an Aitchinson (1978) betrachtet Sandig (2006: 311) in ihrer Forschung hinsichtlich der stilistischen Elemente das folgende Modell Der Text verfỹgt demnach ỹber folgende Merkmalsausprọgungen: Unikalitọt, Kohọsion,
Kohọrenz, Thema, Materialitọt, Situationalitọt und Textfunktion Dabei ist die
Textfunktion das dominierende Textualitọtsmerkmal Die Textualitọtsmerkmale
18 sind immer mit dem Stil gebunden und wie folgt demonstriert:
Abbildung 3: Modell der Textmerkmale (Sandig 2006: 311)
In accordance with the findings of Fix, Poethe, and Yos (2003), Sandig advocates for the textual characteristics of cohesion, coherence, and situationality Sandig (2006: 312) aligns with these insights, demonstrating that his criterion of theme is compatible with informativeness and referential intertextuality.
Textfunktion ist auf die Intentionalitọt und typologische Intertextualitọt bei
Fix/Poethe/Yos bezogen In diesem Modell bezieht sich das Merkmal Unikalitọt auf die Gestalt eines Textes nach einem bestimmten Muster anhand bestimmter
19 kommunikativer Situationen Stilistisch sind Texte nach unterschiedlichen Graden der Unikalitọt wie z.B mustervariierend, formellhaft, festgeprọgt usw gestaltet (vgl Sandig 2006: 313ff.)
Das Textualitọtsmerkmal der Materialitọt bezieht sich auf Kanal, Texttrọger und
Medien, auf denen ein Text produziert wird Zu hervorheben ist, dass das Merkmal der Materialitọt „besonders zeitbedingt“ und „gleichermaòen abhọngig von technischen Voraussetzungen und von Moden“ ist (vgl Sandig 2006: 426)
Unter dem Aspekt der Textualitọtsmerkmale zọhlen Busch/Stenschke (2018: 247) sechs Textmerkmale auf: Sprachlichkeit, Schriftlichkeit, Kohọsion, Kohọrenz, Funktionalitọt, Sortenhaftigkeit
Bei den Textmerkmalen der Kohọrenz und Kohọsion stehen Busch/Stenschke im Einklang mit den anderen Autoren Das Merkmal der Funktionalitọt entspricht der
Textfunktion bei Sandig (2006) und der Intentionalitọt bei Fix/Poethe/Yos (2003) Das Merkmal der Sortenhaftigkeit ist vergleichbar mit der Unikalitọt bei Sandig (2006)
Compared to other authors, they introduce the textual features of written and spoken language Referencing the PISA concept of text, they emphasize that linguistic quality is a crucial aspect in distinguishing between an image and a text According to Busch and Stenschke, the characteristic of written language serves as an important criterion for determining whether a linguistic construct qualifies as a text or non-text (Busch/Stenschke 2018: 247).
Das Merkmal der Intertextualitọt wird bei Busch/Stenschke nicht aufgelistet (vgl
Intertextuality, as described by Busch and Stenschke (2018), is a textual characteristic that encompasses the quantity and nature of connections between texts Therefore, it can be viewed as a significant text feature that highlights the relationships and interactions among various written works.
In folgender Tabelle werden die Textualitọtsmerkmale der untersuchten Autoren aufgelistet und gegenübergestellt:
Tabelle 1: Vergleichsversuch der von Autoren vorgeschlagenen Textmerkmale
In methodischer Anlehnung an der Kataloge von Beschreibungsdimensionen von Adamzik (2004: 55) wird im Rahmen dieser Arbeit ein Zuordnungsversuch der von den Autoren vorgeschlagenen Textualitọtsmerkmale folgendermaòen demonstriert:
Sprachlichkeit Schriftlichkeit Kulturalitọt Unikalitọt/Sortenhaftigkeit** textextern
Akzeptabilitọt Situationalitọt Materialitọt intertextuell Intertextualitọt
Table 2 presents an attempt to categorize the textual features proposed by various authors In summary, it can be concluded that the textual characteristics are thoroughly represented Linguists agree on the text features of coherence, cohesion, and text function, underscoring their significance in textual analysis.
The concept of culturality, as proposed by Fix, Poethe, and Yos (2003), is significant because a text encompasses not only grammatical and semantic elements but also cultural aspects that greatly influence its structure and function Additionally, the feature of intertextuality is equally important and compelling, serving as a crucial aspect for analyzing a text in relation to its connections with other texts.
Textfunktion
Die Textfunktion steht im engen Zusammenhang mit den textuellen Merkmalen Nach der generellen ĩbersicht ỹber die Texttualitọtsmerkmale soll im Folgenden
22 die Textfunktion nọher betrachtet werden Sie ist eine tragende Sọule bei der Untersuchung eines Textes, weil dadurch sichtbar wird, wozu und wie ein Text verfasst wird
Brinker's (2014) theory on the communicative function of texts serves as a significant foundation for text function research, highlighting the speech act theory's fundamental role in illustrating the text as a "complex linguistic action." Consequently, Brinker's theory is the focal point of this study.
Das „kommukative[s] Ziel“ ist für die Textproduktion und -rezeption wichtig Im Anschluss an den Klassifikationsanzatz von Groòe (1976) definiert Brinker die Textfunktion, die von den Sprechhandlungen ausgeht, wie folgt:
The term "text function" refers to the communication intent expressed in a text through specific, conventionally established means recognized by the communication community This intent is meant to guide the recipient in understanding how to interpret the text, whether as informative or persuasive, based on the issuer's instructions.
Unter dem „kommunikativ-funktionalen Aspekt“ kommt Brinker (2014) zu den folgenden textuellen Grundfunktionen: a Die Informationsfunktion
The text aims to convey factual information to the reader, utilizing verbs such as inform, communicate, report, announce, notify, and educate This informational function is particularly evident in text types like news articles and reports.
„Beschreibung“ usw typisch z B Ich (der Ermittent) weiò/mir ist bekannt, dass …
Es ist der Fall (ist wahr/steht fest usw.), dass
Darüber hinaus will der Textproduzent durch „explizierende Paraphrasen“ nach seiner Meinung etwas vermuten oder bewerten z B Ich (der Emittent) werte/empfinde als positiv/negativ, dass
Es ist wahrscheinlich / mửglich / unwahrscheinlich, dass …
Es ist festzuhalten, dass die informative Textfunktion nicht nur die sachliche Mitteilung, sondern auch persửnliche Stellungnahme des Textproduzenten ỹber einen Sachverhalt umfasst (vgl Brinker 2014: 106ff.) b Die Appellfunktion
Der Textproduzent versucht, den Rezipienten dazu zu bringen, eine bestimmte Handlung vollzuziehen oder eine bestimmte Einstellung einem Sachverhalt gegenüber zu haben
Die Appellfunktion kann durch folgende Verben explizit dargestellt werden: auffordern, anordnen, befehlen, bitten, raten, empfehlen, fragen, beantragen, verlangen, beauftragen usw
Die appelative Funktion ist charakteristisch für die Textsorten wie Werbeanzeige, Propagandatext, Arbeitsanleitung, Gebrauchsanweisung usw Bei der Textsorte
„Werbeanzeige“ wird diese Funktion implizit dargestellt
Darüber hinaus wird die appellative Funktion nach Brinker durch folgende
„grammatische Indikatoren“ demonstriert: der Imperativsatz, die Infinitivkonstruktion, der Interrogativsatz, Satzmuster mit sollen und müssen + Infinitiv, haben + zu + Infinitiv, sein + zu + Infinitiv (vgl Brinker 2014 : 109ff.) c Die Obligationsfunktion
Der Textproduzent ist in der Lage und verpflichtet sich dazu, eine bestimmte Handlung zu begehen
Die obligatorische Funktion ist explizit durch folgende Formen signalisiert:
performative Verben: versprechen, sich verpflichten, schwửren, ỹbernehmen, sich bereit erklọren, garantieren, sich verbỹrgen, wetten, anbieten usw
thematische Einstellungen voluntiertativer und intentionaler Art: beansichtigen, vorhaben, planen usw
Die Obligationsfunktion ist typisch für die Textsorten wie Vertrag, schriftliche Vereinbarung, Garantieschein usw (vgl Brinker 2014: 117f) d Die Kontaktfunktion
Bei der Kontaktfunktion handelt es sich um eine personale Beziehung zwischen
The contact function between text producers and recipients is clearly indicated through various verbs and collocations such as thanking, apologizing, congratulating, expressing complaints, welcoming, offering condolences, cursing, expressing regret, feeling sorry, being delighted by, and expressing joy.
Kontakttexte sind an „feste gesellschaftliche Anlọsse“ gebunden, mit denen der Ermittent seine Emotionen wie Mit-Freude, Mit-Trauer oder Danksagung, Gratulation usw aussprechen kann
Die Kontaktfunktion ist charakteristisch für die Textsorten wie Kontaktbrief, Kondolenzbrief, Ansichtskarte usw (vgl Brinker 2014: 118f) e Die Deklarationsfunktion
Unter der Deklarationsfunktion versteht man, dass mit dem Text eine neue Wirklichkeit entsteht Die Deklarationsfunktion wird explizit durch folgende Paraphrase signalisiert:
Ich (der Ermittent) bewirke hiermit, dass X als Y gilt
Ich setze meinen Bruder Franz S zu meinem alleinigen Erben ein
Typische Textsorten für die Deklarationsfunktion sind Ernennungsurkunde, Testament, Bevollmọchtigung, Bescheinigung usw Infolgedessen ist die Deklarationsfunktion meistens mit den festlichen bzw ritualisierten Veranstaltungen verknüpft (vgl Brinker 2014: 120f)
Die theoretische Grundlage von Brinker (2014) über die Textfunktion bildet den Ausgangspunkt für die Analyse der Funktion der Todesanzeige in der vorliegenden Arbeit.
Kriterien zur Textanalyse und Textanalysemodelle
The text serves as an object of study in text linguistics, focusing on the characteristics and functions of texts It addresses essential questions regarding the typical features of the text and its purpose in linguistic communication This section of the work will explore the criteria and models that can be employed for text analysis.
Es sollen verschiedene Kriterien zur Textanalyse zusammengestellt sowie die
This article presents 25 different text analysis models, focusing on the methodologies proposed by Brinker (2014), Heinemann/Heinemann (2002), Adamzik (2004), and Fandrych/Thurmair (2011) It aims to analyze and compare these approaches and their analytical steps Subsequently, a suitable concept for analyzing obituaries will be designed and developed Heinemann/Heinemann (2002: 203ff.) specifically develop the text description model based on various key aspects.
- Pragmatische Vorab-Kennzeichnung: Die internationale Gesamtkonstellation:
(Textsortenzuordnung, Textproduzent, Textrezipient und Intention des Textrezipienten, Relationen zwischen dem Textproduzenten und dem Textrezipienten, Umgebungssituation und Tọtigkeitssituation, Kommunikationsbereich, medialer Rahmen)
- Global-Orientierung: Formale globale Textstrukturierung (ĩberschrift, Kapitel, Paragraphen ), Text-Thema und Text-Thema-Entfaltung, Kennzeichnung der zu beschriebenden Text-Teileinheiten
- Beschreibung lokaler Texteinheiten: Charakterisierung der Text-Initial- Teileinheit, Analoge Charakterisierung der Text-Einheiten, Kennzeichnung des textuellen Zusammenhangs aller Text-Teileinheiten
- Integrative Textkennzeichung und –bewertung: Zusamenfassende Hervorhebung und Bewertung der für die Textfunktion und den Textsinn relevanten semantischen und oberflọchenstrukturellen Merkmale
Dieses Textbeschreibungsmodell ist zwar umfassend aber kompliziert, besonders bei der Analyse eines langen Textes und erweist sich somit als nicht geeignet für die Erforschung der Todesanzeige
Adamzik (2004: 59) entwickelt „ein Raster für Dimensionen der Textbeschreibung“, dem die Kohọrenzbeziehungen zwischen den Ebenen (Thema/Inhalt, Funktion, situativer Kontext, sprachliche Gestalt) zugrunde liegen
SPRACHLICHE GESTALT Zeichen Zeichen Zeichen
Abbildung 4: Dimensionen der Textbeschreibung (Adamzik 2004: 59)
The new point in Adamzik's framework is that text should be analyzed through four dominant dimensions, which are closely interconnected and encompass various aspects The situational context includes world specificity, communication areas, media aspects, spatiotemporal situating, object orientation, producer and recipient roles, intertextuality, and discursive embedding.
Die Dimension Sprachliche Gestalt umfasst folgende Aspekte:
- Lexik (Wortlọnge, Wortarten, Wortkomplexitọt, Worthọufigkeit, Wortvarianz bzw –wiederholung)
- Merkmale: Herkunft (Fremdwửrter), Varietọtenspezifik (Fachwửrter, Regionalismen als umgangsprachlich, gehoben, vulgọr…), Konnotation und Wertung
- Grammatik (Tempus, Modus, Satzart der Hauptsọtze, Form der Nebensọtze,…)
This framework presents the aspects of dimensions in an implicit and abstract manner, raising the question of which dimension to start with for a systematic and comprehensible text analysis According to Brinker (2014), text function, contextual, and structural criteria serve as differentiating factors for text types Therefore, he suggests
Analyseschritte einer Textsorte nach folgenden Schritten vor:
Schritt 2 : Beschreibung der Kommunikationsform und – họufig eng damit verknüpft – des Handlungsbereichs
Schritt 3: Beschreibung von thematischen Restriktionen (vor allem im Hinblick auf die temporale und die lokale Orientierung)
Schritt 4: Beschreibung des zugunde liegenden thematischen Musters (der
Grundform der thematischen Entfaltung) und der Art der Musterrealiesierung (der Realisationsform)
Schritt 5: Beschreibung textsortenspezifischer sprachlicher (lexikalischer und syntaktischer) und ggf nicht sprachlicher Mittel“ (2014: 147)
According to Binker's model, text analysis occurs in five steps First, the function of the text is examined, followed by a description of the communication form and the area of action The thematic restrictions are then analyzed to determine if the topic is fixed and how the text is marked in terms of temporal and local orientation—whether it is presented beforehand, simultaneously, or subsequently In the fourth step, thematic patterns within the text are analyzed Finally, the text-specific linguistic and non-linguistic means are described.
Fandrych/Thurmair (2011: 33f) stellen ein Textanalysemodell mit Beschreibungsdimensionen nach folgenden Beschreibungsdimensionen bzw methodischem Vorgehen vor
Schritt 1: Im ersten Schritt wird die Kommunikationssituation der gegebenen
The type of text is primarily defined by key elements such as the text producer, text recipient, reciprocity, and the temporal and spatial aspects Additionally, it is important to consider the communication context, as it varies across different fields such as medicine, academia, or science.
The text is defined by social or situational norms, and it is essential to analyze the media aspects of the communication context, which are closely linked to the text's form This phase involves considering both the oral and written nature of the text from medial and conceptual perspectives Additionally, the analysis of simultaneous versus non-simultaneous communication and the interactivity within this context is conducted at this stage.
Schritt 2: In dieser Arbeitsphase werden die dominierenden Funktionen des gegebenen Textes in der gesellschaftlichen Kommunikationen bestimmt und das ỹbergeordnete Ziel erlọutert
Schritt 3: Beschreibung und Analyse der Textarchitektur und Textstruktur Hier werden das Thema, die Themenentfaltung, die interne Struktur, der Inhalt sowie die spezifischen Vertextungsstrategien und –muster analysiert
Schritt 4: In diesem Schritt werden die textsortenspezifischen sprachlichen
The article examines key features of text grammar, focusing on elements such as passive voice, verb tenses, nominalization, connectors, and word order It also describes the stylistic and lexical tools used for text creation and characterization Additionally, it provides guidance on handling the specific text type, concluding with a forward-looking perspective.
The text analysis model by Fandrych/Thurmair (2011) offers a practical framework for examining texts Its step-by-step approach is logical and easy to follow, providing a well-structured methodology This model allows for a comprehensive analysis of a text type through various layers of consideration, from external text design to internal text structure, and from text function to genre-specific features By utilizing descriptive dimensions, the text analysis is presented clearly and concisely, ensuring an effective evaluation of the text.
Die Textsorte Todesanzeige
Zum Begriff Todesanzeige
Nach dem Groòwửrterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache Wahrig ist Todesanzeige eine
A death notice, also known as an obituary or mourning announcement, is a public declaration of a person's passing, published in newspapers by private individuals, institutions, companies, or organizations This announcement serves to inform the recipients about the death of a family member or relative, conveying important information regarding the loss.
Companies and institutions publish official death notices for their deceased employees, honoring their contributions and achievements These obituaries recognize the significant impact of the deceased on the organization, community, or even the nation In German obituaries, the announcement of an important individual's passing is often accompanied by additional relevant information.
Die Textsorte Todesanzeige und ihre Differenzierungsmerkmale
In methodischer Anlehnung an Heinemann/Heinemann (2002: 143) über die hierarchische Stufung von Text-Klasse wird eine Hierarchierung der Textsorte Todesanzeige vorgestellt:
Abbildung 5: Hierarchische Stufung der Todesanzeige (erstellt nach
Obituaries are categorized under family announcements and are a type of informative written text that appears as advertisements in newspapers According to Linke (2007: 202), obituaries, along with other types of announcements such as birth announcements, sales ads, and advertisements, belong to the same text class.
Fandrych/Thurmair (2011: 239) nennen verschiedene Typen von Anzeigen Textsorten wie Todesanzeigen, Geburtsanzeigen oder Heiratssanzeigen, die über
„familiọre Ereignisse“ informieren wie Tod, Geburt, Heirat gehửren zu den Familienanzeigen Es ist deutlich erkennbar, dass bei den Linguisten die Begriffe
The terms "text type," "text genre," and "text class" are not clearly differentiated Linke uses "text class" to refer to advertisements, while Fandrych and Thurmair argue that advertisements represent a "superordinate global text genre," with death notices being a specific type within this category They suggest that the various advertisement types are organized in a hierarchical relationship that is thematically defined Consequently, death notices are thematically and content-wise structured, appearing in written form in daily newspapers and online news outlets.
Laut Fandrych/Thurmair (2011: 241) lassen sich die einzelnen Anzeigentypen
„relativ klar von ihrer Funktion her bestimmen“ und sind „thematisch-inhaltlich sowie sprachlich“ „stark strukturierte, fast formelhafte Texte“ Von der ọuòeren Textgestalt, der kommunikativen Funktion und den spezifischen
Formulierungsmustern her lọsst sich feststellen, dass Todesanzeigen eine formelhafte schriftliche Textsorte bilden Deshalb verfügen sie über alle Textualitọtsmerkmale
Anhand der Textsortenanalyse nach Sandig (1972) (Auswahl) haben Busch/Stenschke (2018: 258) eine Tabelle mit spezifischen Merkmalen von einer Traueranzeige erstellt und festgelegt:
Merkmale Traueranzeige spontan - monologisch + dialogische Textform - rọumlicher Kontakt - zeitlicher Kontakt -
Form des Textendes + weitgehend festgelegter Textaufbau +
Tabelle 3: Textsortenanalyse nach Sandig (1972) (Auswahl) (Busch/Stenschke 2018: 258)
Todesanzeige ist schriftlich und monologisch realisiert Sie verfügt über bestimmte
The obituary serves as a formal announcement of a relative's passing, intended for recipients who share a personal or official connection with the deceased This establishes a clear theme and purpose for the text, characterized by a structured beginning and conclusion.
In textinterner Hinsicht weist Todesanzeige folgende Merkmale auf:
Kohọsion: Die Binnenstruktur der Textsorte Todesanzeige muss strukturell- grammatisch gebunden sein Daher verfügt Todesanzeige über eine nachvollziehbare Vertextungsstruktur mit verschiedenen Vertextungsmitteln wie Pro-Formen, Rekurrenz, Substitution usw
Kohọrenz: In der Todesanzeige stimmen sprachliche Elemente miteinander überein, um einen einheitlichen inhaltlich-semantischen Zusammenhang des Textes herzustellen
Obituaries inform relatives and acquaintances about the death of an individual, serving as a vital communication tool within society They provide essential information regarding the deceased, facilitating the sharing of news about the passing.
Obituaries differ from images through their linguistic elements, representing a unique interplay of verbal and iconic components The iconic elements, such as crosses, wreaths, and other symbols, complement the textual format, enhancing the overall message conveyed in the obituary.
Schriftlichkeit: Todesanzeige ist schriftlich reallisiert und in Zeitungen annonciert Durch das Merkmal Schriftlichkeit wird der Todesfall einer Privatperson zeitlich und rọumlich bekannt gemacht
Obituaries serve as a vital communication tool for language users within society and are therefore culturally conventionalized They are influenced by cultural elements, and these components are reflected in obituaries through linguistically conventionalized features and surface structures.
Sortenhaftigkeit/Unikalitọt: Todesanzeige ist eine stark normierte Textsorte
Mit der vorgegebenen Struktur und formelhaften Formulierungsmustern ist die
33 sprachliche und auòersprachiche Textgestaltung vorgeprọgt
In textexterner Hinsicht sind folgende Merkmale der Todesanzeige festzustellen:
Intentionalitọt/Textfunktion/Funktionalitọt: Todesanzeige hat bestimmte Grundfunktionen und vielfọltige weitere Funktionen zum Erreichen des Kommunikationsziels
Situationalitọt: Der Autor will durch Todesanzeige den Adressaten eine ửffentliche Bekanntgabe eines Todesfalls machen Deshalb sind Todesanzeigen von der Situation geprọgt und man kann den Textproduzenten deutlich erkennen
Akzeptabilitọt: Todesanzeigen mỹssen den gesellschaftlichen und kulturellen
Normen und den Erwartungen der Adressaten geeignet sein, damit die Adressanten sie verstehen und interpretieren kửnnen
Materialitọt: Das Merkmal bezieht sich auf den Texttrọger, auf dem
Todesanzeigen realisiert werden, hier sind Tageszeitungen und elektronischen Zeitungen
Das Merkmal Intertextualitọt zeigt die intertextuelle Verbindung zwischen der
Todesanzeige und den anderen Texten In Todesanzeigen kommen Gedichter, biblische Sprỹche und Zitate ửfter vor Sie werden zur Darstellung der Funktion der Todesanzeige hinzugefügt
In conclusion, death notices represent a standardized text genre characterized by specific textual features Their formulaic nature is determined by their functions This raises the question of how death notices are culturally influenced The following discussion explores the relationship between cultural factors and the characteristics of death notices in greater detail.
Todesanzeige als kulturspezifische Textsorte
Zunọchst lassen sich Stellungnahmen von Linguisten ỹber die Relation zwischen Kultur und Textsorten als theoretische Grundlage darstellen
Brinker (2014: 133) stellt fest, dass Textsorten nicht nur „als konkrete Realisationsformen komplexer Muster sprachlicher Kommunikation verstanden
34 werden“, sondern auch „kulturell geprọgt sind“ Das heiòt, sie beziehen sich auf kulturelle Konventionen einer Sprachgemeinschaft, um kommunikative Aufgaben zu erfüllen
In their work "Studienbuch Linguistik," Linke, Nussbaumer, and Portmann (2004: 289) assert a strong connection between text types and culture They describe text types as communicative patterns and routines that allow different socio-cultural communities to perceive and interpret the world in varied ways.
Text types are heavily influenced by cultural components, reflecting the unique culture of a community Culture significantly impacts not only the linguistic design but also the surface structure and function of a text Therefore, text linguistics is inherently connected to cultural aspects It is crucial to consider cultural elements during text analysis Theoretical approaches regarding the relationship between culture and text types form the basis for the assumption that "obituaries are a culture-specific text type," leading to questions such as: How are obituaries culturally specific? How are cultural components and mourning practices represented in obituaries?
Erstens ist die Religion des/der Verstorbenen durch Todesanzeigen erkennbar Der folgende Spruch ist ein Beispiel dafür:
Leg’ alles still in Gottes ewige Họnde; das Glück, den Schmerz, den Anfang und das Ende (Anzeige DOA 08)
Auòerdem finden sich in vielen Todesanzeigen das Kreuzzeichen, das als „Symbol der christlichen Glaubensgemeinschaft“ (vgl Eckkrammer 1996: 37) dient Dadurch erkennt man, welche Religion der/die Verstorbene hat
Thirdly, the attitudes of individuals within a society towards death and life are clearly illustrated In "Death, Dying, and Mourning in the Religions and Cultures of the World," Glockzin-Bever (2008: 313) emphasizes that "the perspectives on mortality reflect deeply held beliefs and cultural practices."
The attitude towards death and burial is culturally mediated and closely linked to the changing values within society Through poetry, biblical verses, and quotes, the thoughts and perspectives of Germans on death are clearly articulated, reflecting a significant aspect of German mourning culture This study focuses on the quotes and biblical sayings found in the analyzed German obituaries According to Peter Noll, dying represents a definitive liberation and salvation from suffering, guilt, pain, and life's pressures Viewing life through the lens of death allows individuals to live more freely and with a sense of relief.
„Sehen wir das Leben vom Tode her, werden wir freier “ (Peter Noll) (Glockzin-Bever 2008: 313)
Für Maxie Wander bedeutet das Leben eines Menschen das Ergebnis einer Reihe von verschiedenen Erfolgen und Misserfolgen Das Wichtigste ist, dass man stets seinen Optimismus bewahrt
„Leben das ist eben auch zur
Ein Hinfallen und Wiederaufstehen, weiterleben, sich an den kleinen Dingen freuen, und die Groòen nicht ganz aus den Augen verlieren “ (Maxie Wander) (Glockzin-Bever 2008: 313)
Both life and death are shrouded in mystery Life is unpredictable and presents an eternal puzzle for humanity, while death remains enigmatic, as we cannot know what follows it Consequently, both life and death pose enduring questions for which definitive answers remain elusive.
„Ein ewig Rọtsel ist das Leben
Und ein Geheimnis bleibt der Tod.“ (Anzeige DOA 38)
In einigen Todesanzeigen ist dieses Sprichwort zitierbar:
„Wer im Gedọchtnis seiner Lieben lebt, der ist nicht tot, der ist nur fern; tot ist nur, wer vergessen wird.“(Immanuel Kant) (Anzeige DOA 34)
According to Kant, death does not signify the end of a person's existence; rather, it is the cherished memories that loved ones hold onto A person remains alive in the memories of those who care for them, suggesting that they are merely distant The deceased truly passes away only when they are forgotten by their survivors Thus, the departed continue to live on in the recollections of their loved ones and often appear in their dreams.
The article emphasizes that the love between individuals is of utmost importance What the deceased leaves behind and maintains with the bereaved is the enduring connection of love, which continues through that love.
Obituaries reflect the cultural units of a society, as evidenced by Eckkrammer's 1996 study "Obituaries as a Mirror of Cultural Conventions." This research conducts a comparative analysis of obituaries from German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese cultures, revealing that the text structure and linguistic forms of obituaries reflect the cultural characteristics of different language communities Additionally, the evolution of cultural factors influences the changing patterns of the obituary genre Linke's 2007 study on the transformation of obituaries in the latter half of the 20th century serves as further evidence of this shift.
Funktion der Todesanzeige
According to Brinker (2014), death notices serve two primary functions: communication and information The communication function highlights the deceased's social network and personal relationships, while expressions of grief and condolences are integral to this aspect The informational function is fulfilled by publicly announcing the death in newspapers.
Gronauer (1996) stellt in ihrer Publikation fest, dass Todesanzeigen über kommunikative, religiửse und soziale Funktionen verfỹgen:
Communication plays a vital role in the transmission of information and the attempt to influence desired behaviors Religiously, it serves to honor and remember the deceased, demonstrate faith, and express grief Socially, it reflects family belonging and cohesion.
Die Autorin geht davon aus, dass Todesanzeigen eine ửffentliche Nachricht ỹber einen Todesfall übermitteln und dadurch sollen die Adressaten entsprechende Handlungen zeigen wie zum Beispiel Mit-Trauer, Beileid usw
The author notes that death notices serve a religious function by honoring and commemorating the deceased These notices are viewed as a tribute, recognizing and celebrating the positive qualities of the individual who has passed away.
Ein von Pflichtgefỹhl und persửnlicher Bescheidenheit getragenes Leben ging zu Ende
Darüber hinaus wird der Glaube des/der Verstorbenen auch durch Todesanzeigen dargestellt Daneben ist in Todesanzeigen die private Beziehung zwischen dem/der Verstorbenen und den Hinterbliebenen deutlich erkennbar
Obituaries express the profound loss, grief, and pain experienced by the bereaved due to the permanent absence of their loved ones According to Linke (2007: 196), obituaries serve as "open letters to the deceased" due to their structured format This means that obituaries follow a defined text structure, resembling an "open letter" that addresses the departed both formally and thematically.
The concept of "death as farewell" emphasizes that the farewell originates from the deceased, who communicates their passing Thus, a death notice serves as the final tribute from the bereaved to the departed.
Neben den Informationen über den Todesfall und die Trauerfeier finden sich Ausdrücke von Wünschen und Hoffnungen der Hinterbliebenen in Todesanzeigen
Du hast getan, du hast geschafft, gar manchmal über deine Kraft
Obwohl wir dir die Ruhe gửnen, ist unser Herz voller Trauer
Nun ruhe sanft, du gutes Herz (Anzeige DPA 02)
Fandrych/Thurmair (2011: 305) sind der Auffassung, dass „die Hauptfunktion des Nachrufes“ „die Würdigung der Leistungen der verstorbenen Person“ ist
In der folgenden Tabelle werden die Funktionen der Todesanzeigen systematisiert und klassifiziert:
Funktionen der Todesanzeige ệffentliche Bekanntgabe eines Todesfalls
Letzter Gruò von den Verstorbenen an Hinterbliebenen
Beschreibung des Verlustes und der Trauer
Würdigung und Ehre des/der Verstorbenen
Ausdrücke von Wünschen und Hoffnungen der Hinterbliebenen
Tabelle 4: Zuordnungsversuch der Funktionen der Todesanzeige
Praktische Untersuchung
Kommunikationssituation und Funktion der Todesanzeige
In the context of communication, German death announcements are viewed in two main areas: private and official A private death announcement is issued when a close acquaintance of the issuer passes away, serving to inform the public of the event and prompting an appropriate response from recipients Conversely, official death announcements not only announce a death but also honor the deceased, particularly those who have made significant contributions to companies or institutions In Germany, death announcements are considered a social obligation, shaped by conventional and ritualized norms.
The German obituary is designed in a written format and is published in public media, specifically in daily newspapers and online news outlets The text producer creates the obituary to announce the death, allowing recipients to learn about the passing of their acquaintances through these publications This typical communication situation results in obituaries being produced in a written medium, with a spatial and temporal separation between the text producer and the audience The obituary conveys essential temporal and spatial information about the deceased, such as the location and date of the memorial service and burial.
In the context of the text producer and recipient, a death notice is characterized by specific aspects In a private German death notice, the text producer typically belongs to the close family of the deceased, while the recipient includes friends or acquaintances of the deceased who share a personal connection with both the deceased and their surviving relatives.
In Liebe und Dankbarkeit nehmen wir Abschied von meiner geliebten Ehefrau, unserer geliebten Mutter, Groòmutter, Schwiegermutter, Schwester, Schwọgerin und Tante
Ilona Elisabeth Gabrielle Grọfin von Krockow (Anzeige DPA 28)
The text recipient may also include individuals who do not have a direct relationship with the deceased, such as a friend who learns about the death of their close friend's uncle through newspaper reports.
Die offizielle deutsche Todesanzeige macht den Todesfall ihrer Mitarbeiter bzw Angestellten bekannt
Der Verband der Privaten Krankenversicherung e.V trauert um seinen ehemaligen Versitzenden
Deshalb sind Rezipienten in erster Linie Kollegen, Geschọftspartner, Studenten, Bekannte der verstorbenen Person, zu denen der/die Verstorbene eine gute
A strong relationship network is crucial, as highlighted in the obituary, which includes key information about the deceased This information typically features the name of the individual, their relationship to the deceased, and the address of the notifying authority (Eckkrammer 1996: 29).
The death notice is published in two formats: printed newspapers and online newspapers, leading to differences in validity, expiration dates, and accessibility between these media With the advent of the internet, access to death notices has become unrestricted.
In terms of communication context, Vietnamese death notices generally align with German death notices Both serve to inform about a death, detailing the passing of an acquaintance and providing information about the memorial service and burial Like their German counterparts, Vietnamese death notices are also presented in written form.
Im Hinsicht auf den medialen Aspekt wird ein Todesfall auf verschiedene Art und
In Vietnam, death announcements can be made through phone calls, text messages, or public notices in newspapers These announcements serve as an official means of notifying the public about a death Typically, death notices are published in Vietnamese newspapers only for individuals of significant social status, as it is not mandatory for all deaths However, displaying a death notice at the funeral home or near the deceased's residence is almost obligatory.
Abbildung 6: Die vietnamesische Todesanzeige am Eingang des Bestattungshauses
The death notice presented follows a structured format, providing concise and essential information about the deceased, making it easy for recipients to understand the situation In Vietnamese culture, displaying the death notice at the entrance of the funeral home and near the deceased's residence is customary While Germans prioritize individualism, collectivism plays a significant role in Vietnamese society Generations of Vietnamese people often live together in villages, adhering to rituals and collective norms that are tied to shared principles within the community Trần Quốc Vượng emphasizes the importance of the village in the lives of the Vietnamese.
Làng Việt Nam đóng vai trò quan trọng như một đơn vị xã hội trong văn hóa Việt, nơi mọi yếu tố và hiện tượng văn hóa được hình thành, phát triển, bảo tồn và truyền đạt đến từng cá nhân.
(Das Dorf ist eine gesellschaftliche Einheit der vietnamesischen Kultur, das Dorf der Vietnamesen ist ein kulturelles Umfeld, in dem alle kulturellen Komponenten und
Phọnomene entwickelt, bewahrt und an alle Individuen ỹberliefert werden.)
Deshalb stellen Dửrfer nicht nur eine staatliche Verwaltungsebene dar, sondern auch eine kulturelle Einheit In den Dửrfern wurden frỹher verschiedene Konventionen, darunter Trauerkonventionen festgelegt
Quy ước về ma chay xác định sự hỗ trợ của cộng đồng đối với các gia đình có tang lễ, đồng thời nêu rõ những nghi thức tang lễ mà dân làng có thể tham gia Sự tham gia này không chỉ thể hiện tinh thần đoàn kết mà còn phản ánh các giá trị văn hóa và truyền thống của làng.
Neighbors and relatives express their sincere condolences and support for the family of the deceased during the funeral Therefore, information about the funeral and burial is crucial for the Vietnamese community in conveying their sympathies Over time, cultural elements and the spirit of community are passed down from generation to generation.
In both Vietnamese and German obituary communications, there is a notable similarity: the interaction between the text producer and the recipient is indirect, occurring in separate time and space In Vietnamese private obituaries, the text producer is identified as the family of the deceased, collectively referred to as "gia đình chúng tôi," meaning "our family."
„Gia đình chúng tôi vô cùng thương tiếc báo tin“
(In tiefer Trauer teilen wir mit)
Recipients are the friends of the deceased or the bereaved, expressing their sympathy for the emotions conveyed by the writer In some cases, the death announcement provides insights about the writer themselves.
„Gia đình chúng tôi vô cùng thương tiếc báo tin vợ, mẹ, bà chúng tôi:
Bà Trang Thị Kim Thu …“
(In tiefer Trauer teilen wir mit, dass unsere Ehefrau, Mutter und Groòmutter:
Frau Trang Thi Kim Thu ) (Anzeige VPA 03)
An dem Beispiel ist die Verstorbene die Ehefrau, Mutter und Groòmutter in ihrer Familie Das heiòt, die Hinterbliebenen sind ihr Ehemann, ihre Kinder und Enkelkinder
The collective term for the text producer is also found in Vietnamese official death announcements Unlike German official death notices, which typically feature only the institution or authority, Vietnamese announcements include a joint obituary from both the family and the relevant institution.
„Bộ Công thương và gia đình vô cùng thương tiếc báo tin“
(In tiefer Trauer teilen das Ministerium für Handel und Industrie und die Familie mit)
Aufbau der Todesanzeige aus textlinguistischer kontrastiv
Seine Familie gilt unser tiefes Mitgefühl und unsere aufrichtige Anteinahme
The differences indicate that the Vietnamese official death notice serves merely as a factual announcement of death, lacking emotional language These notices typically list the deceased's former profession, public honors, and achievements Consequently, Vietnamese official death announcements are not associated with functions such as expressing loss and grief, empathy, or honoring the memory of the deceased.
While the mention of the funeral ceremony is rare in official German death announcements (10%), it is present in 100% of Vietnamese official death notices This information is crucial for recipients during the expression of condolences The collectivist mindset among Vietnamese people may explain this significant difference.
Zusammenfassend lọsst sich feststellen, dass die vienamesische offizielle Todesanzeige die Hauptfunktionen Bekanntgabe eines Todesfalls, Mitteilung der Trauerfeier und Würdigung des/der Verstorbenen erfüllt Zwei Hauptfunktionen
Bekanntgabe eines Todesfalls und Würdigung des/der Verstorbenen dominieren in der deutschen offiziellen Todesanzeige
4.2 Aufbau der Todesanzeige aus textlinguistischer Sicht kontrastiv
The article explores the cultural characteristics and popular attitudes towards death and life reflected in German and Vietnamese obituaries It examines the cultural components that can be identified in these death notices, providing a deeper understanding of how different societies express their views on mortality.
4.2.1.1 Aufbau der deutschen privaten Todesanzeige
Bereits ein oberflọchlicher Blick zeigt, dass deutsche private Todesanzeigen mit folgenden Informationen ỹber den Verstorbenen/die Verstorbene im krọftigen schwarzen Rahmen oder im Trauerrand verknüpft sind
Wer im Gedọchtnis seiner Lieben lebt, der ist nicht tot, der ist nur fern; tot ist nur, wer vergessen wird
Ein geliebter Mensch ist von uns gegangen
Dirk Neupert, Tania Hancke Alexandra (3)
The memorial service will be held on June 14, 2018, at 11:00 AM at St Nicolaikirche in Dortmund, located at Lindemannstraße 70, 44137 Dortmund The urn burial will take place on June 18, 2018, at 3:00 PM at the Spielberg Cemetery, situated at Zum Sportfeld, 63636 Brachttal-Spielberg.
Anstelle von Blumen bitten wir um eine Spende fỹr die SOS-Kinderdửrfer (GLS
Abbildung 10a: Textstruktur der deutschen privaten Todesanzeige
(Anzeige DPA 34) Ein Leben, erfüllt von Liebe und Sorge für seine Familie ging zu Ende.
Trauerfeier am Dienstag, den 23 Februar 2016, um 14.00 Uhr auf dem Wiblinger Friedhof.
Abbildung 10b: Textstruktur der deutschen privaten Todesanzeige
(Anzeige DPA 15) Die deutsche private Todesanzeige weist im Allgemeinen folgende Teile auf:
Teil 1: Persửnliche Formulierung/ biblische Sprỹche/Zitat ((1), Abb 10a)
Teil 2: Einleitung zur Todesmitteilung, Vor- und Nachname des/der
Verstorbenen, Geburts- und Sterbedatum ((2), Abb 10a, 10b)
Teil 3: Floskel, Namen der Hinterbliebenen ((3), Abb 10a, 10b)
Teil 4: Ort und Datum der Trauerfeier und der Bestattung, Bemerkung über
Die persửnliche Formulierung wird unter drei unterschiedlichen Aspekten dargestellt, und zwar: von Seite des/der Verstorbenen, von Seite der Hinterbliebenen und die Beruhigung des Gottes
Von Seite des/der Verstorbenen ist die persửnliche Formulierung wie das letzte
The final letter from the deceased serves as a comforting message to their loved ones, reassuring them that even though they are gone forever, their presence remains close to those left behind.
Ich bin von euch gegangen, nur für einen kurzen Augenblick und gar nicht weit,
Wenn ihr dahin kommt, wohin ich gegangen bin, werdet ihr euch fragen, warum ihr geweint habt (Anzeige DPA 01)
Das Wort „sterben“ ist implizit in Todesanzeigen und wird stattdessen durch das Wort „gehen“ ersetzt Es ist deutlich erkennbar, dass der/die Verstorbene sich in
The individual in a state of active transition is not sorrowful; instead, they comfort their loved ones, emphasizing that the place where their soul resides is not as dreadful as it may seem When their bereaved family and friends arrive, they will understand that their tears were unnecessary.
Im gleichen Sinne gilt die folgende Formulierung nach Linke (2008: 207) auch als
„letzter Gruò an Verwandte und Freunde“
- Betrachtet mich nicht als gestorben, denn ich lebe mit denen weiter, die ich von Herzen geliebt habe (Anzeige DPA 21)
- Ich hatte tausend Leben und nahm nur eins (Anzeige DPA 48)
Deshalb sollten die Hinterbliebenen nicht so traurig sein Er/Sie verlọsst das Leben in der aktiven Lage und hat das Leben nach dem Tod ausgewọhlt
Herrmann-Pfandt (2008: 58f) ist der Auffassung, dass das Trauerritual immer im Zusammenhang mit den Jenseitsvorstellungen steht Folgende Typen der Jenseitsvorstellungen werden in ihrer Arbeit gezeigt:
- Das Jenseits ist ọhnlich wie das Diesseits, aber schlechter
- Das Jenseits ist ọhnlich wie das Diesseits, aber besser
- Das Jenseits ist mit dem Diesseits identisch
- Das Jenseits ist das „ganz Andere“
German private death notices clearly depict the concept of the afterlife as a serene and peaceful realm devoid of haste, guilt, and pressure According to Herrmann-Pfand (2008), this belief aligns with Type 4, which characterizes the afterlife as the "completely different" existence.
I am gradually stepping out of time into a future beyond all stars, carrying with me my past, present, and the essence of who I will always be, all without impatience or haste.
Im heiligsten der Stürme falle,
Und herrlicher und freier walle,
Mein Geist ins unbekannte Land! (Anzeige DPA 57)
Nach dem Tod macht die Seele eine Wanderung ins unbekannte Land, das herrlich und ewig ist
Beim Betrachten des Himmels in der Nacht kửnnen die Hinterbliebenen ihre lieben Verstorbenen erkennen, die ihnen von oben winken
Wenn du in der Nacht den Himmel betrachtest, weil ich auf einem von ihnen wohne, dann wird es für dich so sein, als ob alle Sterne lachten (Anzeige DPA 56)
So wird das Weiterleben nach dem Tod bestọtigt Die Seele kửnnte auf einem herrlichen Stern oder in einem ewigen und ruhigen Ort bleiben
In einigen Fọllen ist die persửnliche Formulierung von dem/der Verstorbenen eine Bitte an Gott um seine Erlửsung vom Diesseits
Meine Krọfte sind zu Ende, nimm mich, Herr, in deiner Họnde (Anzeige DPA 10)
Weise mir, Herr, deinen Weg, dass ich wandle in deiner Wahrheit (Psalm 86, 11)
Manchmal zweifelt der/die Tote an seinem Leben
O weh wohin entschwanden alle meine Jahre!
War mein Leben ein Traum, oder ist es Wirklichkeit?“ (Walter von der Vogelweide)
Fỹr die Hinterbliebenen spielt der/die Verstorbene eine groòe und unersetzbare
Rolle in der Familie Der Tod des geliebten Familienmitglieds ist für sie ein schmerzlicher Verlust und ein unfassbarer Schmerz und Trauer
Schmerz und Trauer vereinen im Tod Hoffnung und Gewissheit tragen im Leben Du leidest nicht mehr und wir werden uns tragen (Anzeige DPA 07)
Auf der anderen Seite wird die Tugend des/der Verstorbenen von den Hinterbliebenen durch die persửnliche Formulierung gewỹrdigt Allerletztend bleiben nur die besten Erinnerungen an ihn/sie in ihnen
In Liebe und Dankbarkeit nehmen wir Abschied von meiner geliebten Ehefrau, unserer geliebten Mutter, Groòmutter, Schwiegermutter, Schwester, Schwọgerin und Tante
The deceased is viewed by their loved ones as a precious gift from God, having lived a full and fulfilling life before returning to Him Despite this belief, the farewell is filled with deep sorrow, making it difficult for the bereaved to accept the reality of their loss.
Du bist von uns gegangen, aber nicht aus unseren Herzen (Anzeige DPA 69)
Manchmal ist die persửnliche Formulierung die letzte Beruhigung der Hinterbliebenen für die verstorbene Person
Du hast getan, du hast geschafft, gar manchmal über deine Kraft,
Obwohl wir dir die Ruhe gửnnen, ist unser Herz voller Trauer
Nun ruhe sanft, du gutes Herz (Anzeige DPA 02)
Life is an eternal puzzle, with only God, the "Lord of Life and Death," able to reveal the truth and the ultimate answers we seek The return to God represents the final salvation from the suffering, pain, and guilt that one must endure in life Many personal expressions emphasize the significant role of God in this journey.
Returning to God is seen as a homecoming and peaceful salvation after a fulfilled life, as only God's assistance brings eternal joy to the deceased In God's eternal kingdom, they are safeguarded and embraced.
Als Gott sah, dass der Weg zu lang, der Hügel zu steil, das Atmen zu schwer wurde, legt er seinen Arm um dich und sprach: „Komm heim.“ (Anzeige DPA 18)
Was allerletztend zwischen dem Verstorbenen und den Hinterbliebenen verbindet/bleibt, ist die Liebe und die schửnsten Erinnerungen von den Hinterbliebenen an den Verstorbenen/die Verstorbene
- Begrenzt ist das Leben, doch unendlich die Erinnerung (Anzeige DPA 48)
- Das kostbarste Vermọchtnis eines Menschen ist die Spur, die seine Liebe in unseren Herzen zurückgelassen hat (Anzeige DPA 49)
In conclusion, it is evident that the emotional stages concerning the deceased and their survivors, as well as reflections on life, death, and the role of God, are expressed through personal narratives.
Biblische Sprỹche vermitteln religiửse Vorstellungen ỹber den Tod und das Leben nach dem Tod
Ich bin die Auferstehung und das Leben, wer an mich glaubt, wird leben, auch wenn er stirb (Johannes 11, 25) (Anzeige DPA 12)
Manche Todesanzeigen beginnen mit einem Zitat von einem bekannten Autor
Was man tief in seinen Herzen besitzt, kann man nicht durch den Tod verlieren.“ (J.W.v Goethe) (Anzeige DPA 04)
Die Einleitung zur Todesmitteilung ist mit einer formelhaften Formulierung verbunden (vgl 4.3.1., Tabelle 10a)
- Gott, der Herr, hat unser / unsere X nach einem erfüllten Leben in sein himlisches Reich heimgeholt
Mit der Floskel beendet man die Todesanzeige (vgl 4.3.1., Tabelle 10a)
4.1.2 Aufbau der vietnamesischen privaten Todesanzeige
In Bezug auf die Auòenstruktur ist die vietnamesische private Todesanzeige mit einer dünnen schwarzen Umrandung verbunden
Gia đình chúng tôi vô cùng thương tiếc báo tin chồng, cha, ông chúng tôi: Ông ĐẶNG ĐÌNH KIỂM
Sinh ngày 10-3-1939 Quê quán: Thôn Đào Du, xã Phùng Chí Kiên, huyện Mỹ
Hào, tỉnh Hưng Yên, là bác sĩ chuyên khoa cấp II, từng giữ chức Trưởng Phòng khám Bệnh viện Da liễu trung ương Ông đã qua đời vào lúc 11h50 ngày 2-2-2017, tức ngày mùng 6 tháng Giêng năm Đinh Dậu, tại số nhà 68 Nguyễn Du, TP Hà Nội.
Dậu) tại nhà riêng Hưởng thọ 79 tuổi.
Lễ viếng diễn ra từ 7h30 đến 9h00 ngày 7-2-2017 (11 tháng Giêng năm Đinh Dậu) tại Nhà tang lễ Bệnh viện Trung ương Quân đội 108, số 5 Trần Thánh Tông, Hà Nội.
Lễ truy điệu và đưa tang diễn ra từ 9h00 đến 9h30 trong cùng ngày, sau đó an táng tại nghĩa trang quê nhà ở thôn Đào Du, xã Phùng Chí Kiên, huyện Mỹ Hào, tỉnh Hưng Yên.
Bà quả phụ Lê Thị Thuận Trưởng nam Đặng Ngọc Minh cùng các con, cháu kính báo!
Abbildung 11a: Textstruktur der vietnamesischen privaten Todesanzeige (Anzeige VPA 02)
GIA ĐÌNH CHÚNG TÔI VÔ CÙNG THƯƠNG TIẾC BÁO TIN:
MẸ, BÀ, CỤ chúng tôi là:
Chỗ ở: 34 Hoàng Diệu, phường Điện Biên, quận Ba Đình, thành phố Hà Nội Đã mất vào hồi 23 giờ 20„ ngày 05 tháng 11 năm 2017
(Tức ngày 17 tháng 09 năm Đinh Dậu) thọ 104 tuổi
Lễ viếng vào hồi 13 giờ 30„ ngày 13 tháng 11 năm 2017 tại: Nhà tang lễ Bộ Quốc phòng, số 5 Trần Thánh Tông, Hà Nội
Lễ truy điệu và đưa tang vào hồi 15 giờ 30„ ngày 13 tháng 11 năm 2017
Hỏa táng tại Công viên nghĩa trang Thiên Đức Vĩnh hằng viên (Phú Thọ)
Cùng các em và cháu, chắt
Abbildung 11b: Textstruktur der vietnamesischen privaten Todesanzeige
(Anzeige VPA 61) Die vietnamesische private Todesanzeige ist stets mit dem Titel TIN BUỒN/ CÁO PHÓ (TODESANZEIGE) verbunden und gliedert sich in vier Teile:
Teil 1: Titel (in (1) oben Abbildungen 11a, 11b)
Teil 2: Die Einleitung zur Todesmitteilung, Name des/der Verstorbenen, Geburtsdatum, Heimat, Wohnort, ehemaliger Beruf, Verdienst des/der Verstorbenen, Sterbedatum (nach dem Sonnen- und Mondkalender), Sterbeuhrzeit, Lebensalter ((2), Abb 11a)
In vielen vietnamesischen privaten Todesanzeigen kommen die Informationen über den ehemaligen Beruf, die Verdienste des/der Verstorbenen nicht vor ((2), Abb 11b)
Teil 3: Ort und Datum der Trauerfeier und der Bestattung ((3), Abb 11a, 11b) Teil 4: Namen der Hinterbliebenen ((4), Abb 11a, 11b)
Anhand der vietnamesischen privaten Todesanzeige VPA 02 wird die Textstruktur genauer betrachtet:
In Teil 1 beginnt die Todesmitteilung mit:
Gia đình chúng tôi vô cùng thương tiếc báo tin chồng, cha, ông chúng tôi:
(In tiefer Trauer teilen wir mit: unser Mann, Vater und Groòvater)
In Teil 2 sind folgende Informationen angegeben:
Name des/der Verstorbenen, Geburtsdatum, Heimat und Wohnort des/der Verstorbenen Ông ĐẶNG ĐÌNH KIỂM
Sinh ngày 10-3-1939 Quê quán: Thôn Đào Du, xã Phùng Chí Kiên, huyện Mỹ Hào, tỉnh Hưng Yên Trú tại số nhà 68 Nguyễn Du – TP Hà Nội
Geboren am 10.3.1939 in Dao Du, Phung Chi Kien, My Hao Distrik, Hung Yen Provinz Wohnort: Nguyen Du Straòe, Nr 68, Hanoi)
Ehemaliger Beruf des/der Verstorbenen:
Nguyên bác sĩ Trưởng phòng Khám Bệnh viện Da liễu trung ương, bác sĩ chuyên khoa cấp II (Ehemaliger Oberarzt der Untersuchungsabteilung, Klinik für Dermatologie, Facharzt)
Textsortenspezifische sprachliche Merkmale
The following chapter analyzes the specific linguistic features of death announcements in German and Vietnamese Through a contrastive comparison of the two languages, this study aims to examine the formulaic expressions and vocabulary used in these announcements.
Todesanzeige ist eine konventionierte und formalisierte Textsorte und verfügt deshalb über verschiedene formelhafte Ausdrücke Diese Musterformulierungen werden in der Todesmitteilung und Floskel dargestellt
Vergleichpunkte Deutsche private Todesanzeige Vietnamesische private Todesanzeige
- In liebevoller Erinnerung nehmen wir Abschied von / In Liebe und Dankbarkeit nehmen wir Abschied von
- hat uns nach schwerer Krankheit für immer verlassen / Ein geliebter Mensch ist von uns gegangen / ist uns nur vorausgegangen
- ist nach einem langen, erfüllten Leben friedlich zu Hause eingeschlafen / In Dankbarkeit für ein langes, erfülltes Leben entschlief / wachte nicht mehr auf / Nach schwerer Krankheit ist gestorben
Gia đình chúng tôi vô cùng thương tiếc báo tin
(In tiefer Trauer teilen wir mit)
- Ein Lebenskreis hat sich geschlossen
The Lord, our God, has taken to Himself, freeing him/her from severe illness After a fulfilling life, God has called home to His heavenly kingdom Following a rich and meaningful existence, has been summoned to eternal peace by the Almighty God.
- Nach langem Leiden hat die ewige Ruhe bei Gott gefunden
- In stiller Trauer / In stillem Gedenken /
In Dankbarkeit und stiller Trauer
- In Liebe / In Liebe und Dankbarkeit / In Liebe, Dankbarkeit und tiefer Trauer / In unvergesslicher Liebe und in tiefer Dankbarkeit / Wir sind dankbar für das Leben mit einem besonderen Menschen /
In tiefer Trauer, in Liebe und in Dankbarkeit für jeden Tag, den sie bei uns war
- Liebevoll lassen wir dich gehen
- Du fehlst uns! / Du wirst uns sehr fehlen / Wir werden dich in unseren Herzen tragen / Wir vermissen / Für immer in unseren Herzen
- Wir sind traurig, dass du von uns gegangen bist / Wir sind unermesslich traurig
- Thay mặt gia đình (Im Namen der Familie)
- Gia đình và Ban tang lễ kính báo! (Die Familie und Bestattungsgruppe)
- Toàn thể gia đình Kính báo! (Die ganze Familie)
Tabelle 10a: Gegenüberstellung der formelhaften Formuierungen zwischen der deutschen und vietnamesischen privaten Todesanzeigen
Vergleichpunkte Deutsche offizielle Todesanzeige Vietnamesische offizielle Todesanzeige
We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of [Name] With great sorrow and heartfelt sympathy for the family, we have received the news of [his/her] death We are profoundly shaken and affected by the tragic accident that led to [his/her] untimely demise.
- nimmt Abschied von / In Trauer und Dankbarkeit nehmen wir Abschied von
- Wir trauern um / trauert um
- Am verstarb im Alter von Jahren / Ein von Pflichtgefỹhl und persửnlicher
và gia đình vô cùng thương tiếc báo tin
(In tiefer Trauer teilen und die Familie mit)
Bescheidenheit getragenes Leben ging zu Ende
We owe a great deal of gratitude to him/her We are very thankful for his/her contributions and achievements We express our appreciation for the significant impact he/she has had on our lives In gratitude for such a remarkable life’s work, we acknowledge and celebrate his/her legacy.
- Wir gedenken seiner/ihrer in Anerkennung / Wir gedenken seiner in groòer Dankbarkeit
- Wir schulden groòen Dank fỹr
- Sein Andenken wird in seinen Werken und seine Inspiration in allem Neuen weiterleben / Mit tiefem Respekt vor einer groòen Lebensleistung
- Wir werden ein ehrendes Andenken bewahren / Wir werden sein Andenken in Ehren wahren / Er/Sie wird immer zu uns gehửren
- Wir erinnern uns an / Wir werden in Erinnerung behalten / Vermissen werden
/ werden uns fehlen / wird nie vergessen / Er/Sie wird uns unvergessen bleiben
- Unsere Anteilnahme gilt seine Impulse und seine Expertise werden uns in Erinnerung bleiben Er wird uns fehlen
- Unser tiefes Mitgefühl gilt seiner Familie und seinen Angehửrigen
- Wir trauern mit seinen/ihren Angehửrigen
Table 10b presents a comparison of the formulaic expressions found in official death notices from Germany and Vietnam The analysis reveals that these formulaic phrases are characteristic of both German and Vietnamese death announcements However, German death notices feature a broader range of formulaic expressions that include emotive vocabulary In contrast, the structure of Vietnamese death notices lacks elements of gratitude, remembrance, and condolences, resulting in the absence of relevant vocabulary.
In der folgenden Tabelle werden die Bausteine hinsichtlich der Lexikebene zwischen den deutschen und vietnamesischen Todesanzeigen gegenübergestellt:
Vergleichspunkte Deutsche Todesanzeige Vietnamesische Todesanzeige
The passing of a loved one is a moment to entrust them back to God, marking a farewell from suffering and earthly troubles Their good heart has ceased to beat, bringing a release from pain and hardship.
Trauerfeier, Beisetzung, Trauergottesdienst, Requiem, Feuerbestattung,Urnenbeisetzung, Messe, Rosenkranz, Urnentrauerfeier,
Beileidsbezeigung, Aussegnung zur Feuerbestattung lễ tang, lễ viếng, lễ truy điệu, lễ truy điệu và đưa tang, an táng, lễ nhập quan, điện táng, hỏa táng
Herzenwärme embodies the essence of security and warmth, reflecting a life driven by duty and personal humility This inspiring aspect of our company serves as a role model, showcasing an infectious positivity and a constantly alert mind With a gentle human touch and a positive attitude, he is a straightforward, reliable, and compassionate individual Actively engaged in social initiatives, he stands out as a dependable colleague and friend, known for his helpful, open, uncomplicated, and humorous nature Highly valued as a cherished friend and beloved colleague, he radiates optimism and visionary strength.
Verlustes der plửtzliche Verlust; tief getroffen; ein langer Abschied; zu bitter schmerzt die Endgültigkeit; unermesslich; traurig; mit traurigem Herzen; unfassbar vô cùng thương tiếc (in tiefer Trauer)
Mitgefühl – Anteilnahme; tief empfundend – aufrichtig;
Các con cháu – toàn thể cháu, chắt và gia đình – tang gia
(Kinder und Enkelkinder – alle Enkel- , Urenkelkinder und die Familie – Trauerfamilie)
- Ich bin die Auferstehung und das Leben,
Antonyme wer an mich glaubt, wird leben, auch wenn er stirb
- Gott gab uns unsere Mutter als groòes, reiches Glück und heute legen wir sie still in seine Hand zurück
- Schmerz und Trauer vereinen im Tod
Hoffnung und Gewissheit tragen im Leben Du leidest nicht mehr und wir werden uns tragen
- Leg„ alles still in Gottes ewige Họnde; das Glück, den Schmerz, den Anfang und das Ende
- Alle Hửhen und Tiefen gingen ỹber dich hinweg Als die Kraft zu Ende ging, war es kein Sterben, es war Erlửsung
Nun ruhe sanft, du gutes Herz
(der/die Verstorbene – das Herz) -
Gott gab uns unsere Mutter als groòes, reiches Glück -
- Sterben als Schlaf: Dein gutes Herz hat aufgehửrt zu schlagen; ist friedlich eingeschlafen, wachte nicht mehr auf; entschlief
- Sterben als Reise: hat uns für immer verlassen; ist gegangen
Death as a return signifies that God has called the departed into His heavenly realm, welcoming them into eternal peace after a prolonged period of suffering The Almighty has summoned them to His divine glory, allowing them to find everlasting rest in His presence This journey home reflects the belief that they are now in God's hands, completing their transition to the afterlife.
- Sterben als Abschied: nehmen Abschied von mất, từ trần, tạ thế, qua đời
Luchtenberg (1985: 99) analyzes euphemisms used in death announcements, identifying key themes such as death as sleep, death as a journey, death as a return, and death as farewell This study aims to categorize the lexical expressions found in German obituaries into these four significant concepts.
Tabelle 11: Gegenüberstellung der Lexikebene zwischen den deutschen und den vietnamesischen Todesanzeigen Die Analyse ergibt, dass die deutsche Todesanzeige auf der Lexikebene vielfọltige
Literary devices such as synonyms, antonyms, metonyms, metaphors, and euphemisms play a crucial role in shaping the logical coherence of death announcements The interplay of these linguistic elements influences the text's function and highlights specific cultural characteristics.
Unlike German obituaries, Vietnamese death announcements do not feature sayings, quotes, metaphors, or metonyms It is evident that Vietnamese obituaries are more formulaic, factual, and emotionally restrained Expressions conveying the grief and loss of the bereaved, as well as the positive traits of the deceased, are rarely found in private Vietnamese death notices.
While the German private obituary is marked by a diverse vocabulary of death-related terms, the Vietnamese private obituary is characterized by four specific terms: "mất," "từ trần," "tạ thế," and "qua đời." Among these, the term "từ trần" is more frequently used and is associated with Chinese origins.
The term "từ trần" translates to "leaving life," indicating an active departure from existence by the deceased This perspective on death may be influenced by Buddhism, which emphasizes the eternal cycle of birth and death According to Buddhist teachings, the human body is composed of four natural elements: earth, water, wind, and fire, which combine to form a person Birth and death are inherent to all living beings, with dying being a natural phase of existence Each life gradually leads to death, and each death marks the beginning of a new phase The actions of the deceased determine whether their spirit transitions into another human or non-human form The significant concept of "Samsara," the eternal cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, profoundly shapes Vietnamese attitudes toward death and ancestor worship (Thích Thiện Hoa, 2016: 261ff.).
The number 87 signifies not the end, but rather that life on Earth is merely a phase of existence Death should not be viewed as a tragic event; instead, it is a natural stage in the human experience The term "từ trần" conveys that the deceased departs this life with an active mindset, free from fear and worry.