The University of Iowa Libraries
Special Collections and University Archives
Finding Aid
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Erich Funke Papers Access and Restrictions: This collection is open for research. Digital Surrogates: Except where indicated, this document describes but does not reproduce the actual text, images and objects which make up this collection. Materials are available only in the Special Collections Department. Copyright: Please read The University of Iowa Libraries' statement on Property Rights, Copyright Law, and Permissions to Use Unpublished Materials. Use of Collections: The University of Iowa Libraries supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted by their fragile condition or by contractual agreement with donors, and it may not be possible at all times to provide appropriate machinery for reading, viewing or accessing non-paper-based materials. Please read our Use of Manuscripts Statement. Acquisition and Processing Information: These materials were donated to the University Archives by Mrs. Funke in 1978. Finding aid created by Denise Anderson, October 2007. Photographs: Box 2 |
Erich Funke explaining Translingua Script, September 6, 1957 |
Scope and Contents
The Erich Funke papers include correspondence, clippings, articles, an unpublished typescript draft, and one photograph.
Biographical Note
Erich Funke was born December 11, 1891, in Rogaetz, Elbe, Germany. He graduated from Realgymnasium (high school with scientific emphasis) in 1912, and attended college at Leipzig, Munich, and Zurich, before taking his Ph.D. at the University of Halle in Germany, 1921. Funke married Lydia Gunzenhauser, and the couple had one son, Thomas, born in 1928. Dr. Funke joined the staff at the University of Iowa as assistant professor of German in 1931 and was made full professor and head in 1937.
In 1953 Dr. Funke began developing the Translingua Script -- a system of numbers he devised for communication which would replace words that require translation between languages. Funke received international recognition for the Translingua Script in 1957. According to a Cedar Rapids Gazette article dated March 11, 1960, the U.S. military expressed an interest in using the script.
Erich Funke retired in 1960 and died November 5, 1974.
[D. Anderson; 10/2007]
Related Materials
Folder, "Funke, Erich," Faculty and Staff Vertical Files collection (RG 01.15.03)
Erich Funke sound recordings (LP and reel tape), see Recordings Cabinet: LP1090, LP1116, LP1136
Papers of Ingeborg Solbrig (RG99.0092)
Records of the Dept. of German (RG 06.16)
Box Contents List
Box 1
Correspondence
Articles
Box 2
X-ray photos, Die Deutschen Laute (The German Sound)
Newspaper and magazine articles about Translingua Script
Photograph, Dr. Funke at blackboard, September 6, 1957
Box 3
Translingua Script, a Code of Interlinguistic Communication, typescript draft, unpublished
Correspondence
Clippings
Dr. Funke's school comic annual from Gymnasium