The German Element in Brazil Colonies and Dialect — Themes and Context

THE COLONIES. HISTORY AND LOCATION.

COLONIZATION IN INDIVIDUAL STATES.

Introductory Remarks Bahia Minas Geraes Espirito Santo Rio de Janeiro São Paulo Paraná Santa Catharina Rio Grande do Sul

The Total Number of Germans in Brazil

THE BRAZILIAN GERMAN DIALECT.

Underlying Basis of the Dialect

Brazilian German Word Forms Surnames Baptismal Names Terms of Family Relationship in Titles

EXAMPLES FROM BRAZILIAN GERMAN DOCUMENTS.

Introduction to Glossary

The Brazilian German Press Almanacs Newspapers

LIED DER DEUTSCHBRASILIANER.

Rein wie hoch am Himmelsbogen Unsrer Heimat Sterne stehn. Mächtig, wie die Meereswogen Gegen unsre Küste gehn, Soll der Heimat Sang uns dringen Aus der treuen Brust hervor, Soll Brasiliens Preis erklingen Aus dem deutschen Männerchor.

Fülle liegt auf deinen Fluren, Gottgesegnet Vaterland; Leuchtend zeigst du noch die Spuren Von des Schöpfers Meisterhand: In des Mittags blauen Fernen Wo die goldne Sonnenpracht, Mit des Himmels schönsten Sternen Schmükt sie funkelnd deine Nacht.

Deine fruchtgetränkte Erde Gibt uns Mut zu frischem Tun, Gibt uns Müsse, um am Herde Sonder Sorge auszuruhn. Aus des Bodens Scholle ziehen Wir des Lebens bestes Mark, Aus des Bodens Kraft erblühen Die Geschlechter frei und stark.

Lasst uns schaffen mit der Stärke Dessen, der die Heimat liebt, Lasst uns beten, dass zum Werke Gott uns das Gedeihen gibt! Ewig heilig, ewig teuer Bleibest du dem deutschen Lied, Heimatland, in dem das Feuer Unsres Herdes gastlich glüht.

O. Meyer in _Uhle's Kalender_ for 1916.

The primary purpose of this work is to give an idea of the dialect which has been developed by the German-speaking element in Brazil.

As comparatively little is known by the English-speaking public concerning the history, location and relative importance of the German element in Brazil (judging from extant English publications referring to the subject), the main part of the work has been preceded by a chapter dealing with these particular phases. This first chapter is also intended to prepare the reader to form a reasonable estimate of the comparative importance and extent of the dialect under discussion in the main part of the work.

In connection with this study the author is particularly indebted to the well-known authority on German American cultural relations and conditions, Professor Marion Dexter Learned, of the University of Pennsylvania. It was at his suggestion and under his constant help and advice that the plan was carried out.

While on a trip of investigation in Brazil the writer was furnished important information and material by Friedrich Sommer, _Direktor_ of the "Banco Allemão Transatlantico" of São Paulo; Henrique Bamberg of São Paulo; Otto Specht, _Chefe da Secção de Publicidade e Bibliotheca_ of the "Secretaria da Agricultura" of São Paulo; Johann Potucek, Austro-Hungarian Consul in Curityba; J.B. Hafkemeyer, S.J., of the "Collegio Anchieta," Porto Alegre; G.A. Büchler of the "Neue Schule," Blumenau; Cleto Espey, O.F.M., of the "Collegio St. Antonio," Blumenau; E. Bloch, _Engenheiro Chefe da Estrada de Ferro Santa Catharina,_ Itajahy; Nikolaus Dechent, _Direktor_ of the "Deutsche Schule," Joinville; Petrus Sinzig, O.F.M., of the "Convento dos Franciscanos," Petropolis; Edmondo Hees, Editor of the "Nachrichten," Petropolis; Pastor Fr. L. Hoepffner of the "Deutsch-Evangelische Gemeinde," Rio de Janeiro; W. Münzenthaler, _Kaiserlicher General-Konsul,_ Rio de Janeiro; and Heinrich Lotz, _Kgl. Bezirksgeologe a.D._, Berlin.

Special thanks are also due to Professor D.B. Shumway, of the University of Pennsylvania, for valuable suggestions and assistance in the final arrangement of the manuscript.

The above-mentioned persons are in no wise responsible for any errors which may appear in the text.

THE COLONIES. HISTORY AND LOCATION.

The first reference to German settlers in Brazil we have from the pen of Hans Stade of Homberg in Hessen. Stade made two trips to Brazil; one in 1547 and one in 1549. In the latter instance he was shipwrecked but succeeded in landing safely near the present port of Santos in the state of São Paulo. As he was a skilled artillerist the Portuguese made him commander of the fort Bertioga, the ruins of which are an interesting landmark to this day. Later Stade spent several most trying years as the captive of a cannibalistic tribe.

After his return to Germany, Stade published an account of his experiences. The first edition entitled "_Wahrhafftige Historia unnd beschreibung einer landschafft der Wilden, Nacketen, Grimmigen, Menschfresser Leuthen in der Newen Welt America gelegen, ..._" appeared at Marburg in 1557.[1] In this work Stade refers to two of his fellow-countrymen located in Brazil; the one Heliodorus Eoban of Hessen, who had charge of a sugar-refinery on the island of São Vicente (near Santos); the other Peter Rösel, who was located in Rio de Janeiro as the representative for a business firm of Antdorff.[2]