The Kölsch Language Academy’s Programs

The Programs and Kölsch-AGs

The diverse programs at the Akademie för uns kölsche Sproch (Kölsch Language Academy) appeals to Cologners and non-Cologners alike, from primary school to seniors.

Many adult participants begin the program with the morning introductory course, "E Häppche Kölsch", which stylishly concludes with a “Kölsch and Halven Hahn” (a Kölsch beer and a slice of rye bread, topped with aged Gouda cheese) and is always continually fully booked.

Every year, there are about 600 program participants, and between 90 and 100 people take the Kölsch language exam each year. For several years, it has been noted that younger people are increasingly signing up for the language program, many of which hail from around the world. So far, almost 100 students have reached the highest level of Kölsch studies, which is the Kölsch-Diplom (the Kölsch diploma). In order to do so, each student has written a diploma thesis, either independently or in small groups.

In the Kölsch-AGs, which the Academy holds at selected Cologne primary schools, children—whether with or without a migrant background—have the opportunity to learn a “new” language together, namely Kölsch. There is a tremendous demand for this program, and as a result personnel as well as financial resources reach their limit. The school vacation programs, which draw on the “hometown” theme, originally developed from the idea of the Kölsch-AGs, and include themes such as Kölsch cuisine, an exploration of the Cologne Trail, a float-building competition for Cologne’s Rose Monday Parade, or child-friendly city tours that playfully introduce children to the history of Cologne.

Linguistics and Publications

The core task of the Academy’s linguistics department is to standardize Kölsch vocabulary and grammar. The research undertaken by qualified German linguists has led to numerous publications that demonstrate a dedicated standardization of Kölsch and permit us today—as mentioned previously—to speak of a distinct regional language rather than simply of a regional dialect.

The Kölsch Wörterbuch (Kölsch Dictionary)—now in its third edition—provides spelling and grammar rules, and each rule is additionally accompanied by an explanation; and for each entry, you will find the pronunciation according to the international phonetic alphabet. Additional “standard works” include a concise grammar, the rules for written Kölsch, and two textbooks with accompanying CDs. In the late 1990s Alles Kölsch was published, representing the first modern language documentation based on tape recordings that offered an authentic insight into the life and linguistic realities of Cologners.

In addition to the linguistic publications, there are a variety of children’s picture books, fiction, non-fiction, and poetry books—all written in Kölsch, of course—that are made available to the general public. For several years now, the Academy publishes, in cooperation with Dabbelju Verlag, the audiobook series Kölsch aus erster Hand for those who like to listen to Kölsch, but are not able to read it. The Academy also publishes the magazine Klaaf every three months, which highlights current Cologne topics and important dates.

In addition to the educational materials and publications, the Academy is continually looking for new computer and Internet based publication platforms that appeal to younger and broader audiences: both the highly successful and popular software Navi op kölsch as well as the Kölsche Online-Wörterbuch (Kölsch Online Dictionary) apps are available free of charge. Meanwhile the Kölsche Lieder-Sammlung (Kölsche Song Collection) is available on the Internet and includes over 13,000 texts.

Library

The library serves as an excellent resource for anyone interested in Cologne, the Kölsch language, traditions, and regional history; the library boasts an impressive collection of nearly 19,000 books and over 3,000 audiotapes and videotapes. The skilled librarians provide professional advice to students that use the library for their studies, as well as to the instructors and the course participants. Cologne’s citizens also use the library to seek out Kölsch texts and songs, or for answers to factual questions. Or it is here that they find their “reading matter,” because since its founding the Academy has ensured that everyone is able to easily borrow books, CDs or DVDs—and free of charge.

Events

In addition to the seminars, the events program further provides the Academy’s students additional opportunities. The series Klaaf em Mediapark is not only popular among current and former seminar participants, but also Kölsch language and literature enthusiasts. The hall is usually quickly sold out when hosting well known and lesser known authors as well as musicians and dialect actors, who present—up to five times a year—a varied program exclusively in the Kölsch language.

The Kölner Abend - Verzällche un Musik (Cologne Evening—As Told in Music) is based on an event format from the early years of the Academy, the event takes place three times a year at the Millowitsch Theater. In keeping with the tradition established by Dieter Thoma and Alfred Biolek, who together founded the Kölner Treff, Prof. Hans-Georg Bögner invites, together with alternating co-hosts, interesting Cologne personalities for discussions on the red, plush "comfy sofa".