Ich Bin Ein Berliner

by Graham W.
(England)

President Kennedy in Berlin

President J.F. Kennedy - allegedly - made this faux pas when he used it in a speech, while addressing the German public.

To avoid calling himself a donut, what should Kennedy have actually said?

Photo: by Robert Knudsen, White House, public domain

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Ich Bin Ein Berliner

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Aug 16, 2010

Interesting question!
by: Rita

Hi Graham,

I can only confirm that President John F. Kennedy used the correct sentence in his famous speech in Berlin.

It is true that the word Berliner is used for the jam donut in some parts of Germany. Kreppel and Krapfen are used in other German regions. In Berlin and surrounding areas the jam donut is a Pfannkuchen.

However, Berliner is also a citizen of Berlin, same as a Frankfurter is a person living in Frankfurt (and a sausage!). It is easy to get the meaning from the context. I think this is true for many English words as well.

Some people say Kennedy should have said "I am Berliner", but this exactly means I am a citizen of Berlin. It was correct to add the indefinite article. Of course, President Kennedy was not a citizen of Berlin, but he wanted to express solidarity with the people in the divided city. "Ich bin ein Berliner", actually, the entire speech, was a morale booster for everyone in Berlin and Western Germany.

Rita

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