The word "Denglish" (or "Denglisch") is a combination of "Deutsch" and "English" and refers to a mixture of the two languages. This includes:
- using single English words in German sentences: Comeback, Meeting
- using English phrases in German sentences: I don't know; So what?
- using English abbreviations or acronyms in German sentences: ROI, EBIT
- adapting English verbs to follow German rules of grammar: updaten, toppen
- mixing the two languages to make new hybrid words or terms: Stretchhose, Marketingabteilung
- using English for product names and slogans in German-speaking countries: Weekend Special, Just do it!
- using English words and giving them a different meaning or form in German: Handy
- using English phrases in a slightly different way in German: "Last not least" (instead of "last but not least").
Some people use "Denglish" as a neutral term to describe such language mixing. Others, particularly German-speaking language experts who oppose the increasing use of English words, use "Denglish" as a negative term.
The term "anglicism" is used by language experts to describe the borrowing of English terms in German, something that has gone on for hundreds of years. Many borrowed English words are now listed in standard German dictionaries. Some German-speaking language experts, however, are critical of the recent dramatic increase in the number of anglicisms and use the term "Denglish" negatively to describe this trend. Critics say these English terms are unnecessary, damage German and are not understood by many German-speakers. One of the leading campaigners against Denglish is the Verein Deutsche Sprache, which has created a list of some 6,000 anglicisms with suggested translations into standard German.
Some people, on the other hand, believe that the increasing use of English terms in German is a natural development and enriches the German language in the same way that the English language has been enriched by the importation of thousands of words from other languages. They also believe the use of English business terms in German helps German-speaking countries to compete more successfully in the modern globalized economy.