The old and new

Kommuniqu� - Kommunikee Geographie - Geografie Pappmach� - Pappmaschee Gangsterbo� - Gangsterboss

The head of the Institute for German Language has accused the paper of attention-seeking in what, in terms of news, is the silly-season.

But the return to the old system does reflect widespread unease.

The changes were adopted by Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with the aim of simplifying the language.

Many of the changes Germanise words of foreign origin. Ketchup becomes ketschup, mayonnaise is now majonaese and telephone changes to telefon.

But many people have been confused rather than helped by the new rules, and only a few have adopted them for themselves.

Legal challenge

The paper says most Germans have failed to change over, many publishers have ignored the rules and the print media has adopted its own versions.

There has been particular resistance from German authors, and parents went to court to fight the use of the new rules in schools but eventually lost.

Publishers of dictionaries are much happier, though, as their new-rule editions have topped the list of bestsellers for months.

The newspaper says it has received hundreds of letters - some in praise and some critical - after announcing its plans.