The Concept of "Heimat"

[breakingthrunow]

When I try to explain the concept of "Heimat" to people, it doesn't translate well. In German, it can sound cheesy but I think it's still valid and everyone can relate to a degree. I have come across it so many times now that I decided to goggle and see how others describe this typical German word in English. One thing I found that I believe sums

Comments

[katemare]

Interesting. I wonder if I understood right...

In Russian there is word "Rodina" (Родина), which can be translated as "Motherland" (yes, capital M) and literally means "land, who gave birth". It held very deep meaning when Russian people were patriotic - "Motherland is sacred", "Motherland calls you", "Motherland betrayal". In ancient times, when someone would travel beyond Russia, he (or she) would take little bag of soil from his (or her) homeland. In legends and fables it held special meaning - pinch or handful of this soil could be used to fight evil. There is "small Motherland" - city, town or village, where you were born or grew up. I think, same goes for other Slavic cultures.

Today this concept has little meaning for most of Russian people (including me), because its "Mann gegen Mann" here. Not so harsh, maybe (or I wouldn't have computer, internet connection and couldn't type all this).

I wonder if the word "Rodina" has equal meaning with "Heimat" (except for language reference)?

[blue_hours_too]

The concept of Heimat is complicated for me as I grew up on 3 continents. But being German, Germany still is where I feel most at home, most at ease, most understood. The older I get, the more this seems to be the case (even if I don't always live there). I also agree with the concept of region rather than country, though. I'm Northern and feel the mentalities in the South or elsewhere can be very different, as are customs, food etc, as we all know. I see the country as a whole, a unit of sorts with a common path, but each region has its very own identity and I love that about Germany.

[breakingthrunow]

Yes, I love the diversity and the lack of "sameness" as you find it here in the US. Even if the differences in mentality can sometimes annoy the hell out of me. ;)

[missvex]

My mum used to tell me about her "Heimat" so I was familiar with the term from early age. The concept however seems a little outdated to me. Probably cause I never really knew what it actually means.
I think home does express some aspects of it.
I wonder though, why there is no such word in english. Maybe it has something to do with english culture deriving from a variety of cultures, but even so, shouldn't this make a concept like "Heimat" even more necessary.
Hm... I need to research on this one, I'm curious..

[onyxwolf13]

My husband grew up in Germany and England. He feels more German than American. I think he would have moved back to Germany, if not for me :-S

I seem to only feel American when someone wants to start some stuff with us ~lol~ ;)
But, this is my home, it's the only place I've ever known ...

I wonder, if I spent time in other countries, if the feeling of Heimat would be stronger or if it would fade.
This is a very interesting concept. I'll have to see how I feel after our trip to Germany in January. Or our "maybe" trip, hehe.

[chiyan]

this is a very interesting question.
if someone asks me where I am from, I immediately reply "Berlin".
its more than just "I spent my childhood there" or "I like that city". I dont support regional sports teams or anything and I wouldnt exactly say Im proud of being a Berlinerin(theres not much to be proud about after all xD), its just...the place where I belong, for better or for worse and I hope Ill be able to return there.
a few years ago I had to move away because of university but I will always be a Berlinerin. Im living more south now, and if someone is talking e.g. about the carnival they wouldnt mind that Im not enthusiastic about that- because Im "from Berlin anyways".
its like a whole lot of beliefs and behaviour patterns (not to mention opinions because of historical occurrences) are coming with that simple sentence.
e.g. people from bavaria might start friendly bickering ^^
but its not reduced to cities, as already mentioned it depends on whole regions.

[schwester_grimm]

Jenau so isset!