Beyond the Land of Green Plums: Romanian Culture and Language in Herta Müller's Work

This article attempts to survey and analyse different aspects of Herta Müller's relationship with Romanian culture and language. It begins with a brief historical account of the German communities of the Banat where Müller was born and raised. Then it focuses on three main dimensions of Müller's relationship with Romanian language and culture. First, statements about the qualities of the Romanian language and its influence upon her work are surveyed. Second, an account is given of various possible Romanian literary influences. Without overstating the extent of this influence, attention is given to the Romanian avant-garde tradition, notably the writer Gellu Naum; but also to the popular chanteuse Maria Tănase. Third, the article considers Müller's Romanian-language collages, published in 2005 as Este sau nu este Ion.