There is an [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=508753 issue] related to German Gmail (googlemail). Might yours be related? In that case I'd be interested to see what's happening if you could log into the Gmail website and set your display language to English, then try to sync with Thunderbird.

Language is set to English (US).

I think you are using IMAP (if so, that's good). Could you please verify the settings with the [https://support.google.com/mail/answer/78892 recommended settings]?

Made a couple of changes per the "recommended settings" and still the same problem. Thanks.

have you tried either of these? *Restart Thunderbird with add-ons disabled (Thunderbird Safe Mode). On the Help menu, click on "Restart with Add-ons Disabled". If Thunderbird works like normal, there is an Add-on or Theme interfering with normal operations. You will need to re-enable add-ons one at a time until you locate the offender. *Restart the operating system in '''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe_mode safe mode with Networking]'''. This loads only the very basics needed to start your computer while enabling an Internet connection. Click on your operating system for instructions on how to start in safe mode: [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode Windows 8], [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-computer-safe-mode#start-computer-safe-mode=windows-7 Windows 7], [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-computer-safe-mode#start-computer-safe-mode=windows-vista Windows Vista], [http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx?mfr=true" Windows XP], [http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1564 OSX] ; If safe mode for the operating system fixes the issue, there's other software in your computer that's causing problems. Possibilities include but not limited to: AV scanning, virus/malware, background downloads such as program updates.

Thanks but that did not fix the problem.