The Rat für deutsche Rechtschreibung (, Council for German Orthography), or RdR, is the main international body regulating the German language.
With its seat being in Mannheim, Germany, the RdR was formed in 2004 as a successor to the Zwischenstaatliche Kommission für deutsche Rechtschreibung ("Intergovernmental Commission for German Orthography") in order to comprise proponents as well as opponents to the German orthography reform of 1996 (and subsequent reforms).
Currently the RdR is composed of 39 members from the following states and regions:
- Germany: 18 councillors
- Austria: 9 councillors
- Switzerland: 9 councillors
- South Tyrol (Italy): 1 councillor
- German-speaking Community of Belgium: 1 councillor
- Liechtenstein: 1 councillor
Despite having German as one of its official languages, Luxembourg, which was not involved in devising the reform of 1996, is not part of the council. The government of Luxembourg unilaterally adopted the reform and due to its efficiency it is well-accepted by the country's teachers. According to the duchy's largest newspaper, the Luxemburger Wort, Luxembourg does not perceive itself as a "German-speaking country" (the only national language is Luxembourgish) and thus had no right to take part in the council. However, Luxembourg does participate in the Francophonie and has members in the Académie française, despite French being only an official language, just like German.
The chairman of the Gesellschaft für deutsche Sprache (GfdS) is a member of the council. In 2003, the RdR, the GfdS, the Goethe Institute and the Institute of the German Language, founded the German Language Council (Deutscher Sprachrat) which was later also joined by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
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“Parental attitudes have greater correlation with pupil achievement than material home circumstances or variations in school and classroom organization, instructional materials, and particular teaching practices.”
—Children and Their Primary Schools, vol. 1, ch. 3, Central Advisory Council for Education, London (1967)
“There by some wrinkled stones round a leafless tree
With beards askew, their eyes dull and wild
Twelve ragged men, the council of charity
Wandering the face of the earth a fatherless child....”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)
“Seventeen hundred and fifty-five.
Georgius Secundus was then alive,—
Snuffy old drone from the German hive.”
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–1894)