Fraktur and German Script

Fraktur is a typeface used in older German books and printed documents. Psalms 23:1 looks like this in fraktur:

My red and white logo is a fraktur monogram, a capital S.

In Germany, the old German cursive script developed in the 16th century is also sometimes called Fraktur. The word comes from Latin and means "broken script" (Bruchschrift), so called because of its ornamental curlicues that break the continuous line of a word.

When the word "fraktur" is used in English, it generally refers to the typeface. An exception is "American fraktur" as used in the Pennsylvania German culture, where the documents themselves--not just the writing in them--are called fraktur. And whereas the noun is a collective singular when it refers to typeface or handwriting, the Pennsylvania Germans also use it as a countable noun in the plural: "Many fraktur are decorated."

In Germany, the "broken script" is more commonly known as deutsche Schrift (German script). It varies from person to person but might look like this:

Some people refer to the script as Sütterlin, although it was in use centuries before graphic artist Ludwig Sütterlin (1865-1917) was born. The beautiful version that Sütterlin developed was taught in German schools from 1935 to 1941. But his name should not be categorically attached to all versions of the German script.

Vendors of German script and Fraktur fonts: Walden Font and Fraktur.

Learn more about German script: Deutsche Schrift.

When You Need a Transcription or Translation

To expedite my work and minimize the chance of error, I usually transcribe script before translating it. The transcription will help orient you to the handwritten text and may even help you learn to extract key information from other documents yourself.

I preserve the original spelling wherever possible, but I spell out symbols and shorthand not reproducible on the computer. Punctuation and capitalization may be standardized for clarity.

Here are some tips that can save you money by streamlining my task:

Get the best copy possible.

Do not increase the contrast when scanning or photocophying. For scans, 200 dpi JPEG is optimal. Enlarging a poor copy with a photocopier rarely helps. Using a stronger lens on a microfilm copier may help. Try different lightness settings to ensure that even the finest penstrokes are visible, and make sure no text is cut off at the edges.

Send entire pages.

The larger sample of handwriting may be critical for "breaking the code." Column headings are important, and records sometimes contain ditto marks or other references to an earlier entry on the page. Sometimes the year and month appear only at the top of the page. Be sure to mark clearly the parts you need translated.

Send records on the same family or locality together, if possible.

A name or occupation that is illegible in one record may be clearer in another. Larger batches also save orientation time and allow me to work more efficiently.

Tell me what you already know.

If you know where the event was recorded and the family it pertains to, tell me. In the case of unfamiliar and poorly legible proper names, it will save me deliberation and verification time.