Past: "Your weapon of war is the German language" / ITech content

Content:

• Context

Little and restless Grünbach decided to introduce us to German curses. His initiative was supported by the faculty, and now there are plans to publish a pocket military phrasebook, as well as a compact collection of German curses. These materials will help you learn the language and expand your vocabulary, including colorful expressions that can be useful in a variety of situations.

You are parachuting behind enemy lines. The landing is complete, and you are on the ground when suddenly an enemy appears from behind a bush. A fascist. Imagine this moment. Your life depends on quick reaction and readiness for action. You must remain calm and be aware of your surroundings. It is important to realize that every second can be decisive.

I find it difficult to imagine such a situation, but I nod in agreement. "You shout: 'Stop!'" But this is not enough. To exert serious psychological pressure, you need to express yourself much more harshly. He clears his throat and says menacingly: "Now I'm going to hit you so hard that your head will hit the wall, and you'll have to use spoons to get your brains out!"

Nika sighs in bewilderment: "Don't they really have more compact curse words?" Her gaze, full of irony and stubbornness, does not leave Grunbach. This moment emphasizes her critical attitude towards those around her and her desire to find more appropriate ways of expressing emotions.

After this, you take control of the process.

Where are we directing it?

We distract people from their studies, but they treat us with respect as a teacher. Some even show interest and listen to our opinions.

Obviously, threats are not the only means of influence. You also use force and weapons in your actions.

This is not his area, and he again plunges into the study of synonyms.

General Biasi once said: "Your combat weapon is the German language. Study it diligently and strive for perfection." Knowledge of German opens up many opportunities, both professionally and personally. Not only is this language one of the most widely spoken in Europe, but it also plays an important role in international relations and business. In-depth study of German will help you increase your competitiveness in the labor market, expand your social circle, and improve cultural understanding. Focus on practice, read literature, watch films, and communicate with native speakers to achieve a high level of proficiency and confidently use German in various situations.

We will probably become acquainted with weapons that are not metaphorical directly at the front.

Revised text:

The book "From Home to the Front" written by E. M. Rzhevskaya and published in 2021 in Moscow by Knizhniki Publishing House. In this work, the author describes in detail the path of people from peaceful life to frontline realities, emphasizing the importance of each stage of this transition. The book explores the impact of war on the destinies of ordinary citizens, their experiences and changes in consciousness. Readers will be able to see how war changes not only personal destinies, but also social structures. This publication will be useful both for studying history and for understanding human psychology in conflict.

Context

This is an excerpt from the autobiographical story of the writer Elena Moiseyevna Rzhevskaya (1919–2017). In 1937, Rzhevskaya entered the renowned Institute of Philosophy, Literature, and History (IFLI), which had been founded in 1931 as part of the history and philosophy department of Lomonosov Moscow State University. In 1941, many students from IFLI, as well as from other universities studying linguistics, were evacuated to Stavropol. The city housed the Military Institute of Foreign Languages, established in 1940 in response to the need for qualified translators, particularly from German, in anticipation of the war with Germany. During the Great Patriotic War, the institute also opened short-term courses to quickly prepare graduates for deployment to the front. The institute's curriculum included not only language disciplines but also the psychological aspects of communication. Among the students was Rzhevskaya, then known by her surname Kagan.

The writer shares her memories of the difficult student days. The Military Institute of Foreign Languages ​​was housed in the buildings of the Kumys Sanatorium. Students lived in the Stavropol school, slept on bare mattresses, and rarely had access to the bathhouse, where they washed themselves only with ashes. They had to walk three kilometers through fields and forests to reach the sanatorium, and after classes they received a bread ration. Rzhevskaya describes her fellow students in detail and concludes by recounting their fates: some died at the front, others lost an eye or a leg. Elena Moiseyevna's own fate proved unique. Initially, she worked as a military translator near Rzhev, which became the basis for her pseudonym. Later, in 1945 in Berlin, Rzhevskaya participated in the search and identification of Hitler, translating interrogations and documents about the last days of Hitler and other inhabitants of the Reich Chancellery bunker. She described these events in her book "Berlin, May 1945."

The excerpt above refers to Lieutenant General Nikolai Biyazi, who directed the institute. It's important to note that Biyazi's last name is misspelled in the text, as "Biazi." The image of the German teacher Grünbach, who teaches students German curse words, is central to Rzhevskaya's memoirs. This name is a reference to Theodore Davidovich Auerbach, who later authored the "Dictionary of German Military Jargon," edited by Biyazi. Rzhevskaya describes Grünbach with light humor but also with touching warmth. He has small hands and expressive gestures, is genuinely devoted to his work, and constantly turns to German poetry. Grünbach's fascination with the horrors of war makes the German lessons some of the most powerful and memorable moments in the book.

In one of her works, Rzhevskaya describes how Grünbach, together with his students, analyzes intercepted letters from German soldiers. This process not only reveals details of military operations but also allows for a deeper understanding of the soldiers' psychology, their fears, and hopes. Correspondence analysis becomes an essential tool for studying historical events, as each letter contains unique information about life at the front and the relationships between soldiers and their families.

A canvas bag containing trophies was delivered to Stavropol overnight by ship. It lies on the floor, its neck unsealed. Strings with sealing wax residue hang from the sides of the bag, indicating its contents. This bag arouses interest and anticipation, as it may contain valuable finds and artifacts.

Little Grünbach, a civilian teacher, confidently asserts: "This is the best approach." He emphasizes the importance of being able to decipher Gothic script. In frontline conditions, instant reaction is required, and this knowledge becomes indispensable. The ability to read and interpret Gothic script opens new possibilities for effective communication and rapid response in difficult situations.

We pay no attention, remaining chained to the bag: something will come out of there—war. This image symbolizes our inability to see an impending threat until it becomes obvious. It is important to understand that ignoring warning signs can lead to serious consequences. We must be attentive to the world around us and aware of the possible risks, lest we find ourselves in a situation where the threat becomes reality.

Grunbach arrived at class in his uniform, feeling unusually nervous. At the end, he announced that this was his last lesson, as he had been called upon to complete an important assignment—compile a dictionary of German curse words. The students bid him a warm farewell, feeling orphaned. In parting, Grünbach reads Goethe's poetry and urges us not to forget to love "this beautiful language," even in difficult times of war and conflict. His words weren't accidental: according to the recollections of those who attended school during the war, there were frequent instances of children expressing their feelings toward the enemy through German lessons. Natalia Belyaeva, whose school years coincided with the Siege of Leningrad, shared her memories of students refusing to learn German, protesting against the lessons, and insulting the teacher. These historical examples highlight the complex relationship between language and emotion that arises in wartime.

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