Sprecher German · revision 35267

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=11th century|origins=gmw-pro *sprekan}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˈʃprɛçər/, [ˈʃpʁɛçɐ]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''Sprecher''' ''m'' (genitive Sprechers, plural Sprecher, feminine Sprecherin)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|gmh|sprechære]], [[inh|goh|sprehhāri|t=speaker, orator, preacher]], an agent noun of the verb [[m|goh|sprehhan]], the ancestor of [[sprechen]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Duden 7 2007)^(Köbler AHD)^(Wiktionary) It replaced an older formation without the suffix, [[m|goh|sprehho]], found in [[m|goh|ēwōno sprehho|t=lawgiver]] and in [[m|goh|furisprehho]], which lives on in Swiss [[Fürsprech]] “lawyer”.^(EWA|8, 856)^(Duden 7 2007)^(DWB|17, 1) Related formations are [[ang|spreca|t=adviser]] and [[ofs|forspreka|t=advocate]].^(DWB|17, 1)^(EWA|8, 856)

+

+ The verb comes from [[gmw-pro|*sprekan]], also found in [[ang|sprecan]] and [[ofs|spreka]], with an irregular loss of the /r/ in [[m|ang|specan]], whence English [[m|en|speak]].^(Kluge 2011|871)^(Pfeifer 1993) Its further origin is unclear: Kluge mentions [[cy|ffraeth|t=witty]] and [[sq|shpreh|t=to express]], but finds the meanings too far apart, and otherwise explains it as an expressive word related to [[non|spraka|t=to crackle]].^(Kluge 2011|871) Pfeifer and Duden also think of an imitative word of that kind.^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Duden 7 2007)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Old High German ''sprehhāri'' is recorded three times, from the 11th century, translating Latin ''locutor'', ''ecclesiastes'' and ''concionator'' (“speaker, preacher, orator”).^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Köbler AHD)^(DWB|17, 1) Middle High German ''sprechære'' is recorded after 1243, also in the sense of a reciter of spoken verse.^(Köbler MHD)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word first meant anyone who speaks.^(Paul 2002) From Middle High German on it also meant the elected spokesman of a group, as in Schiller's ''Piccolomini soll unser Sprecher sein'' (“Piccolomini shall be our spokesman”).^(Paul 2002) The Grimms note that the simple word was not very frequent and was used mainly in special senses and in compounds.^(DWB|17, 1) Since the early 20th century it has been the job title of announcers in radio and later television; the feminine ''Sprecherin'' is recorded by Stieler.^(Paul 2002) Linguistics pairs ''Sprecher'' with ''Hörer'', as in Karl Bühler's theory of language.^(Paul 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 11th century – Old High German ''sprehhāri'' is recorded.^(Pfeifer 1993)

+ * After 1243 – Middle High German ''sprechære'' is recorded.^(Köbler MHD)

+ * 1691 – Stieler records the feminine ''Sprecherin''.^(Paul 2002)^(DWB|17, 1)

+ * Early 20th century – ''Sprecher'' becomes the title of radio announcers.^(Paul 2002)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|spokesperson]] chosen by a group to represent its interests: ''Sie ist Sprecherin der Elterninitiative.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # An official who passes on statements for a government or authority: ''ein Sprecher des Innenministeriums''.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # An [[m|en|announcer]] or [[m|en|newsreader]] on radio or television.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A [[m|en|speaker]] of a particular language or dialect: ''die Sprecher des Sorbischen''.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Someone who speaks texts for a film, recording or play, such as a narrator or voice actor.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The person who made a particular spoken utterance.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # ''(prison slang)'' A visit to a prisoner.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[Sprecherin]]

+ * [[Fürsprecher]]

+ * [[Lautsprecher]]

+ * [[Fernsprecher]]

+ * [[Pressesprecher]]

+ * [[Regierungssprecher]]

+ * [[Nachrichtensprecher]]

+ * [[Synchronsprecher]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[Sprache]]

+ * [[sprechen]]

+ * [[Versprecher]]

+ * [[Spruch]]

+ * [[Sprichwort]]

+ * [[en|speaker]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}