Which German dialect is the most pleasant sounding?

Christian R. Vornberg

South Africa-born Austrian

1,083 followers

63 following

Half South African, half Austrian, with three years in Denmark in between. Live in Vienna, where I have spent most of my life. Bit of a language nerd who also likes to travel. Politically incorrect at times. Like meat and Heavy Metal. 1975-present.

 That is most certainly in the ear of the beholder.

Being from Austria, I have heard on occasion that some more northern Germans take a liking to Austrian German as heard on TV because it is a bit softer-sounding and sing-songy. Then again I have also heard that Austrian German can come across as hillbilly in Germany. But since Austria itself also has a lot of regional dialects, that will greatly depend on the region. Both the source region of the Austrian dialect, and the region of the listener from Germany.

To me as a Viennese, Bavarian sounds most familiar and similar, but still distinct. Other German dialects differ widely, but on average, Germany German is a bit harsher-sounding and no-nonsense, compared to ours. Especially Northern Germans can sound very aloof. But they speak crisp and clear. And not one unnecessary word too many.

East German dialects are very recognizable. Berlinerisch is sorta cool, while Saxon is not very pleasant in my ear. Maybe it is also because of the GDR stereotype. But they just sound weird…to me they sound like they are placing Umlaute where they shouldn’t be. Mäine Größmütter instead of Meine Großmutter (my grandma).

But, apart from the obvious stereotypes, I have no in-deep knowledge of all the German dialects.

Within Austria itself, from a Viennese perspective:

• the Styrians bark like dogs (dei Steiara böulln - die Steirer bellen)
• Carinthians soften up each sentence (Dring a Woosa, wiad dia beesa! for Trink ein Wasser, dann wird dir besser! - Drink water, and you’ll feel better.)
• the Tyroleans have laryngitis, and in Vorarlberg, they barely speak German.
• Eastern Austrian dialects around Vienna are not that different, but an hour by car can already make quite a difference.
• Salzburg and Upper Austria don’t have dialects that one could readily imitate - somewhere between Lower Austria and Bavaria - which they geographically are.

Switzerland is its own cup of tea…they have many regional dialects themselves, but from a Vienna perspective, they universally sound like they are stressing a different syllable in each word than we are, and their sound shifts can be challenging…

Is coconut water good for kidney problems, low blood pressure, and diabetes?

 

Healthy Fitness Cult

Health expert | Nutritionist | Weight loss & Diabetes Coach

268 followers

20 following

Passionate health expert. I offer practical advice and evidence-based strategies to help you achieve your wellness goals. Follow for insights on sustainable weight loss, personalized fitness routines, and effective blood sugar control. Empowering you to live a healthier, more balanced life.

Being a Health Expert, Nutritionist and Weight Loss & Diabetes Coach, and with the topic of Coconut Water coming up almost every other day — mostly questions around is coconut water good for kidney problems? Low BP? Is okay for Diabetes? Coconut water is one such natural drink, which is often linked with many health-related positives but the consequences of drinking it for different health abnormalities might surprise you.

Because it is high in potassium, magnesium and sodium, coconut water is an ideal way to help you get your electrolytes and keep you hydrated. But for renal health, coconut water also helps in moderation. High potassium content of squash could be useful in people with kidney issues, but more harmful to those with advanced kidney disease or impaired potassium regulation by the body. If you have kidney problems make sure to always visit your physician prior to making it an element of your regular diet.

Potassium in it can help maintain healthy blood pressure levels, which supports those with low blood pressure. Excessive consumption, however, reduces tension even more and should be avoided, or when measuring hypotension- consumed moderately under medical guidance.

Coconut water is a low calorie, low sugar option for diabetics in place of many delicious but high-carbohydrate drinks. It is good for hydration without causing any huge spikes in blood sugar, so it can be a drink that diabetics consume in moderation. Nonetheless those natural sugars should still be added to the overall carbohydrate count.

Of course, these are just a few of the benefits coconut water offers — as always, it is best to consider your health needs and discuss with an individualized health professional.

WATCH: Chelsea Manalo sizzles at Miss Universe 2024 swimsuit competition

 

Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

November 15, 2024 | 2:16pm

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines' bet Chelsea Manalo slayed the runway of Miss Universe 2024 swimsuit competition during the preliminary round earlier today. 

During Chelsea's runway walk, preliminary round host Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel described Chelsea's advocacy of helping the children of overseas Filipino workers. 

"After graduating from college, Chelsea landed a job in the hospitality industry," R'Bonney said.

"She uses her platform to alleviate the problems encountered by children of migrant workers," she added. 

Earlier in the competition, Chelsea wore the "Hiraya" costume for the National Costume competition. 

Her national costume, Chelsea said, "is a symbolism of the far and profound history and relationship between the Philippines and Mexico." Thus, it bears an image of the Black Madonna, the Our Lady of Antipolo, one of the religious images brought to the Philippines through a galleon trade with Mexico, host country of the 2024 Miss Universe

Reforms necessary to ease healthcare burden on Filipinos

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Nov 15, 2024 00:05 AM

  

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Does the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) need more subsidies from the government?

As far as senators are concerned, it is not necessary. And they have a valid point. PhilHealth has ₱89 billion in excess funds. This has been ordered transferred to the National Treasury, a move temporarily stopped by the Supreme Court. 

Considering that access to affordable healthcare remains a challenge to most Filipinos, PhilHealth’s multi-billion surplus funds comes as a surprise.

At the Senate hearing on PhilHealth’s proposed 2025 budget, Sen. JV Ejercito, the principal sponsor and author of the Universal Healthcare Act, voiced his frustration over the unspent ₱89 billion funds, asking the state health insurance provider why these funds have not yet been used to ease Filipinos’ healthcare costs.

While PhilHealth holds a critical role in providing financial relief to millions of Filipinos, it only contributed a meager 13.6 percent to the nation’s total health spending in 2022. This discrepancy between available resources and actual contributions raises pressing questions: How can PhilHealth more effectively alleviate the healthcare burden on Filipinos? What reforms are necessary?

Let’s face it, Filipinos, particularly the lower-income families, struggle with the high cost of medical services. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), out-of-pocket spending continues to make up a large portion of Filipinos’ healthcare expenditures, leading many to delay or forgo necessary medical treatment. In fact, Philippine Statistics Authority data showed that in 2023 household out-of-pocket expenditure had the largest share in the country’s health spending at 44.4 percent, while voluntary health care payment schemes — payments for private insurance — had a 13 percent share. This underscores the need for a robust health insurance system that can ease the financial burden on individuals while ensuring quality healthcare is accessible for all.

As the country’s primary health insurer, PhilHealth is ideally positioned to help address this issue. However, its role in financing healthcare needs must be more proactive, transparent, and accountable. The ₱89 billion in surplus funds is a glaring example of a missed opportunity, especially when the healthcare needs of millions remain unmet. 

This underutilization of funds could be attributed to systemic issues within the organization, including delays in claims processing, reimbursement issues for healthcare providers, and an overcomplicated system that discourages patients and hospitals from fully participating. These operational challenges need urgent attention.

Another possible reason for underutilization of funds is that the current benefit packages offered by PhilHealth are often insufficient to cover the full range of medical services that the average Filipino family requires. Many Filipinos still find themselves paying significant out-of-pocket expenses even when they have PhilHealth coverage.

In the wake of these developments, PhilHealth must take decisive steps to fulfill its mandate and reduce the healthcare burden on Filipinos. It must streamline operations and reduce bureaucratic red tape to eliminate inefficiencies, and ensure faster reimbursements for hospitals and healthcare providers. It should consider expanding coverage and improving benefit packages to cover a broader range of services, especially for critical care, outpatient services, and catastrophic illnesses. Strengthening governance mechanisms by ensuring accountability and combating fraud is necessary to help restore public trust.

The ₱89 billion in excess funds sends a clear message that the state health insurer has the resources to make a significant impact on the healthcare system. Filipinos deserve a healthcare system that works. With political will, effective leadership, and the active support of all stakeholders, PhilHealth can become a pillar of health security. The time to act is now.

Experience the spirit of giving at Corey Koh romantic concert on Dec. 10

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Nov 14, 2024 01:32 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• At just 22, Corey Koh has already captured hearts worldwide with his vocal range and dedication to using his talent for positive change.

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Corey Koh

Get ready to be swept off your feet as homegrown talent Corey Koh brings his mesmerizing voice to the Singtel Waterfront Theatre on Dec. 10, 2024, for an evening celebrating music and charity. 

At just 22, Corey Koh has already captured hearts worldwide with his vocal range and dedication to using his talent for positive change.

Since beginning classical vocal studies at six, Corey has dazzled audiences in some of the world’s most esteemed venues – from Carnegie Hall in New York to the Musikverein in Vienna. 

Known for his deep commitment to charitable causes, he has also lent his voice to concerts like ChildAid Singapore and Tokyo, always singing with a purpose beyond the stage.

Now, Corey is set to headline the second edition of the Spirit of Giving concert series, organized by TRCL and produced by the Global Cultural Alliance. His performance promises a blend of timeless classics and pop favorites in multiple languages, along with his original songs, Only Love and 对的时候. Corey will showcase his unique journey from classical music to pop in this concert.

More than just a concert, Spirit of Giving: Corey Koh – Incurably Romantic is a call to support the next generation of artists. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, which looks to uplift underserved children and youth through the transformative power of the arts, building their confidence and expanding their skillsets.

Don't miss this evening, where music and charity come together and experience the powerful, soulful performance of Corey Koh. Secure your tickets today, and be part of an evening that promises to inspire and uplift your heart and young artists' future. 

Tickets are now available at Spirit of Giving: Corey Koh

Are there any traditional German desserts that are low in sugar or do not contain sugar at all?

Volker Eichener

Professor at Hochschule Düsseldorf

Dessert and no sugar is a contradiction in terms. Desserts are defined by being sweet. The sweetness may come from sugar, from honey (which is, in fact, sugar), from fruits (which have not enough sugar, so sugar is added) or from artificial sweeteners (I don’t think you mean this).

Take Rote Grütze. It is cooked of red berries, juice, starch (as a thickening agent) and sugar. And since it is not sweet enough it is served with vanilla custard or sweetened cream.

Or Bratapfel. It is a baked apple which is sweetened with a stuffing of marzipan. And served, guess how, with vanilla custard or ice cream.

I do not know what your question aims at.

Are you looking for a healthy dessert with low sugar? Then eat just berries - strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, red or black currant. They are low in sugar. You may add unsweetened yoghurt, Quark (cream cheese) or cream.

Quark with puréed strawberries and strawberry chunks

Blueberry yoghurt

Or eat desserts with artificial sweeteners. Although they are even worse in causing diabetes than sugar.

Worth reading..!!!

Sometimes you're unsatisfied with your life, while many people in this world are dreaming of living your life.... A child on a farm sees plane fly overhead & dreams of flying. But, a pilot on the plane sees the farmhouse & dreams of returning home. That's life! Enjoy yours... if wealth is the secret of happiness, then the rich should be dancing on the streets. But only poor kids do that. If power ensures security, then officials should walk unguarded. But those who live simply, sleep soundly. If beauty and fame bring ideal relationships, then celebrities should have the best marriages. Live simply, walk humbly and love genuinely... All good will come back to you...!

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