Figurenuerbindlichkeit!

I don’t speak a word of German. I can barely even speak the word I helped invent.
The Germans are great for creating single words out of complex thoughts, which would be a string of words in any other language.
English speakers are familiar enough with the word and concept schadenfreude. I know I’m not the only one who, when using the loanword in English, delights in the idea that there’s no direct translation.


Güterabfertigung is another good example. It means depot or storehouse, but the word itself literally translates to “goods getting ready for dispatch”.

I never want to be left out, so Thomas Brandau (of Der Kleine Grinsverkehr in Stuttgart) and I sat down to create a word that I feel needs to exist.

After some appropriate giggling and German beverages, the result is
figurenuerbindlichkeit!

Figurenuerbindlichkeit: Strength and commitment of an actor to the character on stage. Perhaps Thomas (or one of the Hamburg Clowns) will read this entry and post a literal breakdown of what each part of the new word means. It’s going to take some practice for figurenuerbindlichkeit to enter common usage, but ti’ll be worth it:

“In this rehearsal, we just need to get the blocking correct, so mark your positions and don’t worry about your figurenuerbindlichkeit.”

“If you’re having trouble with your figurenuerbindlichkeit, just remember to focus on your emotional reaction to your partner.”

“That was an excellent production! The design elements were magnificent, the script is solid, and what wonderful figurenuerbindlichkeit!

By the way, keep your eyes out for a new Amnesia Wars impro show this summer. We’ll be working some new longforms, and as always there will be a consistent display of figurenuerbindlichkeit!