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A life dedicated to the German language: An interview with the former editor-in-chief of the Duden

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Kathrin Kunkel-Razum was born in Potsdam and now lives in Berlin. The 66-year-old regularly visits Australia and took the opportunity to visit us at our studio in Melbourne. Credit: Felix Pöhland Photography

Kathrin Kunkel-Razum was the first woman and first East German to head the Duden editorial team - and that for almost ten years. In conversation, she tells us which criteria a word must meet in order to be accepted into the Duden. She also talks about spelling reforms, the influence of the English language on German and why she does not consider any regulations or prohibitions on gender to be useful.


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