Lingua europa/Mad

The J&auml;ger Accent
As is well known from the canon, the J&auml;germonsters speak with an accent. The consensus is that this accent is depicted in the comic in the conventional way used to depict a stereotypical German accent.

This has an interesting implication. Had they been speaking with a Hungarian, Romanian, or Slavic accent, then it would be entirely reasonable that this would also constitute an accent when speaking German, even if it is depicted as English spoken with an accent because the comic itself is written in English.

But how do you speak German with a German accent (and still not be speaking it quite properly)?

Could it be that despite the use of some German words, the people in the Girl Genius comic actually are speaking English?

A possible explanation for this would derive from the fact that the Spark has caused chaos in Europe. One of the effects of that chaos is (apparently) the existence of seven Popes. Another consequence, quite reasonably, could be a delay in the rise of the nation-state. If Europe is an area of fiefdoms, principalities, and free cities, it is not unreasonable that if, on the other hand, England, due to its situation on an island, managed to unify ahead of the other nations we are familiar with, it could have been in a position to conquer Europe at some time in the past. This could have led to the English language establishing itself on the Continent, and it could also explain a later conflict which would have led to much of England becoming submerged.