Umlautgate. What is the “ö” in Lindström?

Yes, cousin Dave is correct. He reminded me in a comment on my earlier post that it wasn’t an umlaut. The “ö ” in Lindström, Minnesota is not really an umlaut. It actually has no name. It’s a special letter.

The media headlines needed something to call it. Maybe drafting a German term to fill that position was a mistake. The news of the umlaut being restored to the sign for Lindstrom, Minnesota spread around the world.

Today, Minnesota Public Radio agreed with Dave: “Postscript: Um, it’s not an umlaut” and you may read the story here on MPR’s website.

Maybe I should give my previous post a new title “Lindstrom has the two dots back.”

I bow to Dave. After all, I respect my elders and he is my elder. Yes, by only six weeks, but he gotz mor educashun. He has family pictures I don’t have. Love you, cuz!

 

© 2015, Paula Stuart-Warren. All rights reserved.

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2 comments on “Umlautgate. What is the “ö” in Lindström?

  1. My Spanish teacher, Miss Bergquist, went to a a reunion and someone asked her if she used to be a Lindquist.
    “No”, she replied, “I’ve always been a Bergquist.”
    “No, I mean a Linkqvist—–somebody who speaks all those lankvages.”

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