THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
The term “biodeutsch,” loosely meaning “organically German,” has been selected as Germany’s “Unword of the Year” for 2024. This designation highlights words or expressions that promote discrimination, undermine human dignity or mislead public discourse.
The term was criticized for its use in dividing individuals based on perceived biological heritage, fostering everyday racism, and creating an implicit distinction between “true” Germans and those deemed “second-class” citizens.
Initially coined by satirist and cartoonist Muhsin Omurca as an ironic expression, “biodeutsch” was intended as a playful critique of identity politics. However, over the years, it has been adopted in more literal and exclusionary ways, often to emphasize the supposed “purity” of German identity and marginalize those with migration backgrounds. Omurca expressed surprise at its trajectory, stating that its use by right-wing circles to define themselves was a stark irony, given its origin as satire by a person of Turkish heritage.
The jury, comprising linguists, journalists and rotating members, highlighted that the term has gained traction across various contexts, from media discussions to political rhetoric. It has even been used in prominent political settings, including by CDU leader Friedrich Merz during the CSU party congress in October 2024.
The second-place “Unword” this year was “Heizungsverbot” (“heating ban”), a term popularized in debates around the Building Energy Act. The jury criticized it as a misleading phrase used to cast doubt on measures designed to combat climate change.
This year’s selection also included a notable individual choice by jury members Saba-Nur Cheema, a political scientist, and Meron Mendel, a historian. They criticized the term “importierter Antisemitismus” (“imported antisemitism”), which they argued unfairly links rising antisemitism to migrants, particularly Muslims, as a way to shift focus from antisemitism within German society itself.
The “Unword of the Year” initiative, established in 1991, seeks to promote awareness of harmful language. This year, the jury reviewed 3,172 public submissions, representing a significant increase in participation. Suggestions are evaluated based on how they violate principles of dignity, democracy or inclusivity rather than how often they are proposed.
Past winners have included “Remigration” in 2023, a term associated with far-right calls for mass deportation, and “Klimaterroristen” in 2022, used to vilify climate activists. In 2021, the term “Pushback” was criticized for sanitizing the rejection of refugees at European borders.
The selection of “biodeutsch” as 2024’s “Unword of the Year” underscores the enduring significance of language in shaping societal attitudes. It serves as a reminder of the importance of choosing words that promote inclusivity and challenge discriminatory narratives. By shedding light on these terms, the initiative invites broader reflection on how language can both reflect and influence societal values.
Vivian Asamoah
