The “mouse” has been speaking in foreign tongues for 50 years

No question: “The Show with the Mouse” is THE classic of educational television in Germany, has been broadcast since 1971 and is still accompanied today by its inventor Armin Maiwald. An exceptional product in the world of public television programming, which has also come with a double opening credits for exactly 50 years now.

In addition to the original version, in which the content of the current episode is explained – until 2021 by speaker Günter Dybus, now by Annette Frier – there has been an exactly the same illustrated version in a different language since September 9, 1973. The highlight: Only after the prologue in foreign tongues is over is it revealed which foreign language it is.

While the non-fiction and laughter stories, such as how a bridge is painstakingly built over several years or various animation series, ensure that the little ones expand their intellectual horizons and understanding of humor, this approach offers perhaps the first access to other languages.

Well over 100 languages ​​and dialects were presented in this way. In addition to many well-known and also taught in school such as English, French or Spanish, there were also intros in Aramaic, in Dari (which is spoken in Afghanistan), in Klingon (“Star Trek”) and even as a reference to the popular blue elephant in Elephantic. A variant of Morse code and German spoken backwards round off the sometimes absurd offer, which aims to playfully invite you to engage with languages.

The international opening credits also served as a door opener for “Sendung mit der Maus” to be shown in many other countries. To date, it is said to have aired in 100 different countries.