„DURCH DEUTSCHLAND MUSS EIN RUCK GEHEN“ SPRICHWÖRTER UND BILDHAFTE REDEWENDUNGEN IN DER RHETORIK DES DEUTSCHEN BUNDESPRÄSI-DENTEN ROMAN HERZOG (1934-2017)

Abstract

Roman Herzog (1934 – 2017), the first Federal President of re-united Germany, throughout his time in office (1994 – 1999) was well known for his clear, lively and colourful public speeches, his joyful mockery and good-natured criticism. A most memorable feature of his rhetoric was the appeal which he made in his speech in the Berlin Adlon Hotel on April 26, 1997: „Durch Deutschland muss ein Ruck gehen!“ (‘The Germans must pick themselves up!’) in view of the generally felt political lethargy and economic stagnation at that time. This winged word became a slogan, and Roman Herzog was subsequently quoted as „der Ruck-Präsident“. His speeches and autobiographical writing provide ample material for paremiological and phraseological studies. The present paper is focused on his use of proverbs, proverbial sayings, truisms, slogans and maxims, quotations, and conversational formulas – as they occur in their textual environment and communicative functions.