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• Why do Germans use inverted guillemets (»…«) in contrast with the original French use (« … »)?
• When did such usage begin?

(They are originally French, right? Since they're named guillemets in both languages ...)

There must be some historical reason for this usage and I've been looking all over the Internet and haven't been able to find any useful information.

I've been wondering for some time,

• Why do Germans use inverted guillemets (»…«) in contrast with the original French use (« … »)?
• When did such usage begin?

(They are originally French, right? Since they're named guillemets in both languages ...)

There must be some historical reason for this usage and I've been looking all over the Internet and haven't been able to find any useful information.

I've been wondering for some time now:

Why do Germans use inverted guillemets (»…«) in contrast with the original French use (« … »)?

Also, when did such usage begin?

(They are originally French, right? Since they're named guillemets in both languages ...)

There must be some historical reason for this usage and I've been looking all over the Internet and haven't been able to find any useful information.

Thank you very much in advance.

• Why do Germans use inverted guillemets (»…«) in contrast with the original French use (« … »)?
• When did such usage begin?

(They are originally French, right? Since they're named guillemets in both languages ...)

There must be some historical reason for this usage and I've been looking all over the Internet and haven't been able to find any useful information.