Polular elements of polemic style in Martin Luthers̓ German prose : colloquial sources of clarity and impact

This study analyzes the colloquial elements of the vocabulary of Martin Luther's German prose on the basis of texts selected from his early, middle and later career as a religious reformer. The particular focus is on popular linguistic resources from which Luther derived the vivid clarity and graphic expression so characteristic of his polemic style. The three controversial treatises selected as texts were: Antwort deutsch auf Koenig Heinrichs von Engeland Buch of 1521, Die kleine antwort auff H. Georgen nehestes buch of 1533 and Wider Hans Worst of 1541.

In the area of Luther studies the topics of vocabulary, syntax and word formation have received less attention than the more external grammatical features of phonology, inflection and orthography. It is precisely in the semantic and syntactic fields that Luther had the greatest flexibility for selecting from among competing words and structures in order to achieve the most effective means of expression for his message. This was a linguistic period in which the factor of choice for stylistic purposes had freer rein since no literary standard of German yet existed.

The words and phrases investigated are arranged in three larger categories which reflect the influence of popular spoken language: expressions exhibiting formulaic repetition, dramatic vitality and graphic clarity from the everyday sphere of the common man. The heavy-handed sarcasm which pervades all of Luther's polemic tracts is seen to increase with his advancing age and his cynicism. Yet his rich and creative use of popular vocabulary was both fully-developed at the onset of his career and enduringly fresh even near the end of his life. While scholars often maintain that Luther's style is influenced by the popular language, this work shows the specific linguistic consistency of that influence.

Additional research into the popular bases of Luther's syntax and into the extent of Humanist influence on Luther's conscious and subconscious selection of semantic and syntactic elements is still needed.