His father was a gardener and the family spoke Alsatian which is related to the Germanic languages. Alsace, which was originally French, had came under German rule in 1871 but by 1902 had effective self-government.
Kanyang ama ay isang hardinero at ang pamilya nagsalita Elsasyan na kung saan ay may kaugnayan sa Aleman wika. Alsace, na kung saan ay orihinal na Pranses, na nagmula sa ilalim ng German tuntunin sa 1871 ngunit sa pamamagitan ng 1902 ay may epektibong self-government.