Germans are reserved, formal people who appreciate a sense of order in their lives. Their love of music and celebrations has permanently influenced many of the world's cultures. German, the official language of the Federal Republic of Germany, is spoken in Germany; Austria; and Liechtenstein; large parts of Switzerland and South Tirol; and small parts of Belgium, France, and Luxembourg. German is the native language of over 100 million people, and many literary works have been translated into German. This chapter follows the dominant values and beliefs according to the 12 domains of the Purnell Model of Cultural Competence: overview/heritage, communication, family roles and organization, workforce issues, biocultural ecology, high-risk behaviors, nutrition, pregnancy, death rituals, spirituality, health-care practices, and health-care practitioners.
