1. Germanic Languages:
* English: German has had a significant impact on English vocabulary, especially in scientific, technical, and philosophical terms. Think "kindergarten," "rucksack," "zeitgeist," and "wanderlust."
* Dutch: Closely related to German, Dutch shares many lexical similarities, especially in technical and scientific terminology.
* Yiddish: A Germanic language primarily spoken by Jewish communities, Yiddish draws heavily on German vocabulary and grammar.
* Scandinavian languages: While not directly related to German, Scandinavian languages have been influenced by German through trade and cultural exchange, particularly in vocabulary and grammar.
2. Slavic Languages:
* Polish: German influence in Polish is evident in loanwords, particularly in scientific, technical, and administrative fields.
* Czech: Similar to Polish, Czech has adopted a large number of German loanwords, especially in areas like law, education, and administration.
* Slovak: Slovak also has a significant number of German loanwords, especially in technical and scientific vocabulary.
3. Other European Languages:
* French: While French is a Romance language, it has been influenced by German through words like "pavillon" (pavilion) and "balayage" (sweeping).
* Italian: German has influenced Italian vocabulary, particularly in technical and military terms, such as "panzer" (tank).
* Hungarian: Hungarian, a non-Indo-European language, has adopted a significant number of German loanwords.
4. Global Influence:
* Scientific and Technical Terminology: German has had a major impact on scientific and technical language worldwide. Many scientific terms in English, French, and other languages originated in German.
* Music: German musical terminology, like "lieder" (songs) and "scherzo" (joke), has been adopted by musicians across the globe.
* Philosophy and Literature: The works of German philosophers and writers, such as Kant, Goethe, and Nietzsche, have influenced intellectuals and artists worldwide.
It's important to note that the degree of influence varies significantly depending on the specific language and historical context. While some languages have only been touched by German influence, others, like Yiddish and Dutch, have been heavily shaped by it.