5 Words to Know in South Tyrol
Translating the untranslatable.
Working as an English translator for the hotel and tourism sector in South Tyrol, it didn’t take me long to discover German words that simply don’t translate well into English. For the past five years, it has been my job to unravel these linguistic puzzles for the average English reader, and I am eager to share them with you now.
So, without further ado, here’s what I’ve come up with: a list of five words you need to know in South Tyrol.
1. Speck (sh-peck)
When translated into English, Speck means “bacon”. However, dear Speck, you are so much more than that, which is why I have long ceased attempting to translate you. In my eyes, Speck loosely translates to a mouthful of heaven – but in reality, it is a delicately smoked ham cured with spices and wonderful Alpine herbs. This “Speck-tacular”, thinly sliced meat can be savoured on its own or accompanied by Schüttelbrot – a crunchy flatbread and another staple of South Tyrol.
2. Stube (shtu-beh)
If you mention the word “Stube” to a South Tyrolean, you are sure to evoke a sense of warmth and security in their hearts. A Stube is a cosy room, typically adorned with wooden wall and ceiling panels and a tiled stove to keep warm. Often, a Stube serves as a dining room in huts and inns and as a living room in homes. But don’t be mistaken, a Stube isn’t just a dining or living room; it’s so much more than that. It’s a Stube.
3. Törggelen (turg-eh-len)
Törggelen is a mouthful – both its pronunciation and its celebration. It is a South Tyrolean tradition celebrated from October to mid-November and often combines a scenic autumn walk with a communal meal in a cosy Buschenschank, typically family-owned and operated. This time-honoured tradition involves tasting the year’s young wine, accompanied by local specialities such as bread dumplings, salt pork, ribs, various sausages, sauerkraut, roasted chestnuts and Bauernkrapfen – a flat fried pastry filled with plums, pears, chestnut cream or poppyseeds (not to be mistaken for Faschingskrapfen, a filled doughnut served during Carnival). After several enjoyable hours of good food and great company, a small glass of homemade schnapps presented by the host is the perfect finish to the Törggelen festivities.
4. Schlutzkrapfen (shlutz-krahp-fin)
Schlutzkrapfen are a fan favourite in Alpine huts and rustic taverns. These spinach-stuffed ravioli-esque delights make for a well-deserved delicacy after a long hike and are served with browned butter and parmesan cheese and topped with chives. I often joke that this dish is the reason I moved to South Tyrol, but as my aunt always says, “There’s a hint of truth in every joke,” so now I’m not quite sure what to believe.
5. Kneippen (k-nye-pin)
Kneippen is a form of hydrotherapy that invigorates the circulatory system by subjecting various parts of the body to cold water. Imagine dipping your feet in a mountain stream – that’s Kneippen. In South Tyrol, there are several Kneipp water paths where you can walk through shallow waters and Kneipp basins you can dip your arms into to enjoy the revitalising effects of this treatment.
Bonus: Genuss (geh-nuss)
I often find myself wrestling with the word “Genuss”. Although it is not specific to South Tyrol and can be translated, it presents its own challenges. This word carries a slightly different meaning every time I encounter it, encompassing everything and nothing all at once. The trickiest part? Deciphering its intended meaning within the given context. Is it referring to a treat, a delight, enjoyment, indulgence, pleasure? Who knows, but eventually, I settle on one with 95% certainty and move on. If you’ve ever translated a text with the word Genuss, you’ll know what I’m talking about.
That’s all for now!
Tschüss, pfiati, ciao, bye-bye!
