German neologisms What’s going on, what’s going wrong?

This article presents an overview of research on German neologisms. Lexicographers compile and describe new words. Here German research is strong. Linguists provide us with insights about functions and reasons why neologisms are constructed. In this respect, knowledge is sketchy. Research is characterized by the dominance of lexicographic and, thus, descriptive aspects and divergence of focus and objectives. Various results, ideas and approaches still have to be brought together.