Talk | 06.03.2025 | 19.00
The language of the Tüötten, Covert communication through the ages
with Dr. phil. habil. Klaus Siewert
The lecture introduces the world of covert communication. Over the centuries, historical secret languages have been in use in Germany, including the language of the Tüötten. After 30 years of field research, they have now all been documented in the ‘Dictionary of German Secret Languages’ in around 50,000 dictionary articles. If we look at the coding methods used to achieve incomprehensibility for third parties, the Tüötten language proves to be the most intelligent system according to the analyses of special language research, with several different methods of alienation. The historical development of the language of the tüötten is subject to comparatively strong changes: the path here leads from the secret language of former travelling traders to the worldwide special language of today's corporate communication.
The linguist Dr. phil. habil. Klaus Siewert is a leading expert on secret languages and the author of numerous relevant publications. Thanks to his research work and commitment, the secret language of the itinerant traders from the northern Münsterland region was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia in April 2024, alongside other historical secret languages in Westphalia. In 2023, he presented a comprehensive lexicographical inventory of these and other secret languages in his Wörterbuch deutscher Geheimsprachen ()dictionary of German secret languages. Already in his monograph Humpisch. Eine Geheimsprache Westfälischer Leinenhändler (Humpish. A secret language of Westphalian linen merchants), he had already dealt intensively with their vocabulary.
The event is free of charge. Registration is not required.
Beforehand, interested parties have the opportunity to take part in a curator's tour of the exhibition from 6:00 p.m. As the number of participants is limited to 12, it is necessary to register in good time at anmeldung@draiflessen.com.
The linguist Dr. phil. habil. Klaus Siewert is a leading expert on secret languages and the author of numerous relevant publications. Thanks to his research work and commitment, the secret language of the itinerant traders from the northern Münsterland region was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia in April 2024, alongside other historical secret languages in Westphalia. In 2023, he presented a comprehensive lexicographical inventory of these and other secret languages in his Wörterbuch deutscher Geheimsprachen ()dictionary of German secret languages. Already in his monograph Humpisch. Eine Geheimsprache Westfälischer Leinenhändler (Humpish. A secret language of Westphalian linen merchants), he had already dealt intensively with their vocabulary.
The event is free of charge. Registration is not required.
Beforehand, interested parties have the opportunity to take part in a curator's tour of the exhibition from 6:00 p.m. As the number of participants is limited to 12, it is necessary to register in good time at anmeldung@draiflessen.com.

CUNDA, KNÖS AND KNASPELHUTSCHE
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