Ich bin ein Berliner

This study guide will help you analyze the speech “Ich bin ein Berliner” by John F. Kennedy. We will show you examples of elements in the text that will be relevant for your analysis. In these notes, we will focus on main topics, speaker, audience, language and circumstances. We will also give you an idea of Kennedy’s intention with the speech, as well as suggestions for discussing the speech and putting it into perspective.

Vi tilbyder også en analysehjælp til den danske oversættelse af talen. Du kan læse analysehjælpen her: Ich bin ein Berliner (dansk)

"Ich bin ein Berliner" is a renowned phrase from a speech given by U.S. President John F. Kennedy on June 26, 1963, in West Berlin. This iconic statement played a significant role during the Cold War, a tense period of geopolitical rivalry between the United States and its allies, and the Soviet Union and its satellite states, from the end of World War II until the early 1990s.

The Cold War was characterized by ideological differences, with the United States and its allies promoting democracy and capitalism, while the Soviet Union and its allies supported communism. The construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 epitomized the division between these opposing ideologies. The wall separated East Berlin, which was under communist East Germany's control, from West Berlin, a democratic enclave backed by Western powers.

Kennedy's "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech was a pivotal moment during the Cold War, as it demonstrated the United States' commitment to defending freedom and democracy against the encroachment of communism. By declaring "I am a Berliner," Kennedy conveyed his solidarity with the people of West Berlin, who faced hardship and isolation as a result of the wall's construction. His statement was also a direct challenge to the Soviet Union and its control over East Germany.

You can watch the speech here.

Excerpt from the study guide:

Choice of words

An important part of Kennedy’s speech is the delivery of several sentences in German: “Ich bin ein Berliner” (“I am a Berliner”), which is repeated twice, and “Lass’ sie nach Berlin kommen” (“Let them come to Berlin”). Both sentences received enthusiastic applause and cheers from the audience, as they reinforced the US’s support for West Berlin. Using phrases in German also implies that Kennedy cares about the situation of Germans in West Berlin and is able to see the issue from their perspective.

Kennedy also employs the words “proud”, “proudest”, and “pride” seven times in his speech. At first, he talks about his pride of being able to talk in front of strong Berliners. Then, he talks about the pride of Berliners who have been resilient in the face of Communism. Finally, he talks about the pride of the Americans, who share an important historical moment with Germany.

 

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Ich bin ein Berliner

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