Why Is France Still Called Frankreich in German?

Germany, a country with a rich linguistic heritage, has a unique way of referring to France. While the English name for France is simply 'France', in German, it is known as 'Frankreich'. This article explores the historical and linguistic reasons for this unusual naming convention and how it reflects the political and cultural development of both nations.

Origins of the Term "Reich"

The term 'Reich' in German has a rich etymological background. Originally, one of its meanings was 'kingdom'. 'Reich' actually comes from a Germanic loanword from Celtic 'righ', which meant 'power'. Old High German 'Reich' signified 'government' or 'lordship', encompassing power and richness. Since the late medieval period, 'Reich' did not necessarily require a monarchic ruler, turning 'Deutsches Reich' into a more abstract concept of a German Polity or Commonwealth.

Frankreich vs. France

Frankreich is often seen as a more direct and accurate translation of the German equivalent to 'France'. The term 'Frankreich' can be translated as the 'Empire of the Franks' or better as the 'State of the Franks'. The Franks were indeed the only barbarian group to establish a lasting state after the fall of the Roman Empire. This state evolved from a kingdom to an empire and later a republic, reflecting a continuous political evolution.

Contrasting this, 'Frankenland' directly translates to 'territory of the Franks', making it distinctly different from 'Frankreich'. A 'Land' in German is defined by its territory, indicating that it has been part of a larger state, unlike 'Frankreich', which signifies the realm or land of the Franks more broadly.

Historical Linguistic Influences

Frankreich is not just a linguistic backward glance at Old Frankish, but it reflects the broader cultural and political history of both Germany and France. The Old Frankish language, a member of the Germanic language group, left its mark on several modern languages, including German, Dutch ( Frankrijk), and Danish ( Frankrig), but not on French.

This linguistic peculiarity is further illustrated by the term 'Imperium Romanum', which was used by the ancient Romans and referred to their empire long before the first Roman Emperor. In modern usage, there's no indication of a political system in a country's name. This is exemplified in the contrast between 'Deutschland' (Germany) and 'France'. Official names like 'Bundesrepublik Deutschland' (German Republic) and 'République Fran?aise' (French Republic) are used by diplomats and historians, but in everyday language, it remains 'Deutschland' and 'France'.

Case Studies: Weimar Republic and Deutsches Reich

A notable example of this is the Weimar Republic, which called itself 'Deutsches Reich' despite not having a monarch. This choice of name reflects the persistence of 'Reich' as a term signifying political unity and power rather than a specific form of governance.

Thus, while the term 'Frankreich' is linguistically and historically significant, the everyday name for France in Germany ('France') remains unchanged. This linguistic peculiarity is not unique but part of a broader tradition that reflects deep cultural and historical ties between Germany and France.

Keywords: Germany, Frankreich, France, Reich, Political System