Learn How to Pronounce Marlene Dietrich (in German & English) | YouPronounce.it
How to Pronounce Marlene Dietrich (in German & English)
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)
Meaning and Context
Marlene Dietrich, born Marie Magdalene Dietrich in Berlin in 1901, was a seminal German-American actress and cabaret singer whose career defined cinematic glamour and artistic daring during Hollywood’s Golden Age. She achieved international stardom after her electrifying performance as Lola Lola in Josef von Sternberg’s 1930 German film The Blue Angel, which catapulted her to a prolific Hollywood contract. Renowned for her sultry contralto voice and androgynous, sophisticated style, Dietrich became an icon of classic cinema through roles in seminal films like Morocco (where she famously wore a tuxedo and kissed a woman), Shanghai Express, and Destry Rides Again. Beyond her film career, she was a tireless entertainer for Allied troops during World War II and a defiant critic of the Nazi regime, for which she was later awarded the U.S. Medal of Freedom. Her legacy as a screen legend, fashion icon, and courageous political figure continues to influence film history and popular culture, cementing her status as a timeless symbol of Weimar Republic Berlin and vintage Hollywood stardom.
Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings
The standard and correct spelling is Marlene Dietrich. Common errors often arise from misspellings of her first name, such as "Marlene" (incorrectly adding an 'i') or "Marlena." Her surname is frequently misspelled as "Dietrich" (substituting 'e' for the first 'i') or "Deitrich" (reversing the 'i' and 'e'). In German, the umlaut over the 'e' in "Marlene" is not typically used in the standard spelling of her stage name, though it sometimes appears in older references. Another occasional point of confusion is her full birth name, Marie Magdalene Dietrich, which is sometimes incorrectly rendered as "Maria Magdalena." When searching for her work, it is important to use the correct spelling to effectively find resources related to her films, music, and biography.
Example Sentences
Marlene Dietrich's performance in The Blue Angel remains a masterclass in the portrayal of seductive ambiguity and tragic decline.
Throughout the 1930s, Marlene Dietrich collaborated closely with director Josef von Sternberg to create a series of visually stunning and psychologically complex films.
Fans of vintage Hollywood often cite Dietrich's rendition of "Falling in Love Again (Can't Help It)" as one of the most iconic songs in cinema history.
Her decision to perform for Allied soldiers on the front lines, often in close proximity to combat, demonstrated a profound personal courage that matched her artistic convictions.
Scholars of film and gender studies frequently analyze Marlene Dietrich's subversion of traditional femininity through her tailored suits and commanding screen presence.
Even decades after her final film, the enduring image of Marlene Dietrich in a top hat and tails continues to symbolize a bold, timeless glamour.
Related Pronunciations
- How to pronounce Gemma Chan
- How to pronounce Nikki Amuka-Bird
- How to pronounce Colin Firth
- How to pronounce Janelle James
- How to pronounce Eliza Scanlen