Election for "Unword of the Year" to be organized in Kassel in future

Every year in January, the "Sprachkritische Aktion" (Language Criticism Campaign) selects the "Unwort des Jahres" (Unword of the Year). The basis is the decision of a five-member jury. According to the association, it is intended to "draw attention to public forms of language use and thereby promote language awareness and sensitivity among the population." Last year, the jury selected "Pushback."

While the result will be announced in Marburg - the next time on January 10, 2023 -  the organizational preparation, especially the pre-selection, will run in Kassel in the future. Over 1000 proposals have already been received.

The "Sprachkritische Aktion" is an honorary commitment mainly by linguists. In addition to Römer, the jury includes Prof. Dr. Constanze Spieß (spokesperson, University of Marburg), Dr. Kristin Kuck (University of Magdeburg), Alexandra-Katharina Kütemeyer (journalist) and Prof. Dr Martin Reisigl (University of Vienna). This year, the jury will be joined by author Peter Wittkamp.

Römer has held a professorship in German linguistics with a focus on semantics and lexicology of New High German at the University of Kassel since August 2022. Previously, he worked at the University of Trier.