What are you doing about languages? (German language primer)

[Dubliner]

As an American, you have a choice: You can reinforce the stereotype that Americans can't/don't/don't want to/don't think they have to learn any of another language at all, or you can shock your hosts by showing that yes, you actually are aware that other languages exist.

Dude, it's the WORLD CUP. There will be people from 31 countries travelling to Germany. The hosts will not expect them all to try to learn German.

I travel to the continent every year to see Celtic in the Champions League or UEFA Cup. I don't think I've ever met a fan who actually tried to learn the language of a country just because they were going to watch a football game there. Is it a nice thing to do? Sure. Will anyone look down on you, or think "typical American" if you don't? I seriously doubt it. They'll probably just think "typical football fan".

[bltleo]

Dude, it's the WORLD CUP. There will be people from 31 countries travelling to Germany. The hosts will not expect them all to try to learn German.

I travel to the continent every year to see Celtic in the Champions League or UEFA Cup. I don't think I've ever met a fan who actually tried to learn the language of a country just because they were going to watch a football game there. Is it a nice thing to do? Sure. Will anyone look down on you, or think "typical American" if you don't? I seriously doubt it. They'll probably just think "typical football fan".

YEAh, enjoy soccer, good german beer and find german friends:)...

[Frankie Boy]

YEAh, enjoy soccer, good german beer and find german friends:)...

I am taking Bltleo with me as my translator (if my wife will let me!!!) :)

[bltleo]

I am taking Bltleo with me as my translator (if my wife will let me!!!) :)

o.k I will be your translator:)..

but only if you will be my translator when I come to USA

like in business:)
I translate for you, you translate for me....language skills are expansive!.

[SnakeEyes]

you know we Germans do nothing wihout benefit.....:)
Yes, we have heard of the Reeperbahn :p

[gsmith]

For those of you still interested in learning (or brushing up on) German, you might find this useful….

I’m currently conducting a study for my Masters’ thesis, which includes a website on Germany and a tutoring system on German, both specifically designed for travelers.

The more formal details….

You are invited to participate in a research study on computer-based learning environments. We hope to learn whether collecting and utilizing certain information about students will increase the ability of computer-based learning environments to help students learn. You are being asked to participate in this study because of your potential interest in learning the German language.

If you decide to participate in the project, you will be asked to complete the following steps:
1. Fill out a short survey on some basic information, including any prior experience with Germany and the German language.
2. Interact with a website, called “Germany for Travelers”, to learn some basic information about traveling in Germany.
3. Take a short quiz on what you have learned from the “Germany for Travelers” website.
4. Take a short quiz to identify any knowledge of the German language you may already have.
5. Interact with a German tutoring system called “German for Travelers” in order to learn German, including pronunciation, basic grammar, and useful phrases.
6. Take a quiz on what you have learned from the German Tutor.
7. Fill out a short survey about your experiences with the project.
This process may take several hours (mostly the interaction with the German tutoring system), but there is no need to complete all of these steps at once. You will be asked to create a user name and password to allow you to log in and out of the system so that you can stop at any point and complete the process over time.

If you decide to participate, you are not obligated to answer all questions, and may stop at any time. All information collected during this process will be completely confidential.

Please visit www.germantutorfortravelers.com (http://www.germantutorfortravelers.com)for more information.

If you have any questions about this research, please contact Garrett Smith at gsmith1@binghamton.edu.

Sincerely,
Garrett Smith
Department of Computer Science
Binghamton University, State University of New York

[Magpie Maniac]

I know that it sounds strange, but...

Chick-fil-A's current toy in their kid's meal is a German, Spanish, French, or Japanese language CD. I traded the French for German. It's 36 minutes long and covers the basics well, e.g. greetings, at the train station, at the restaurant, etc.

Beats the shit out of those preachy holier-than-thou storybooks my kids normally get at Chick-fil-A. I mean that's fine and all, but normal kids would rather get a plastic car that spins around the floor.

[Legion04]

Du sollst die Sprache lernen, das ist viel besser. In Deutschland wird man mehr respekt fuer dich, wenn du Deutsch sprechen kann. Wenn du nicht Deutsch sprechen kann, sollst du ein paar Woerter lernen und benutzen. Ich werde nach Deutschland diese Sommer gehen, nicht fuer die Weltmeisterschaft aber fuer ein Schulaustausch.

(Translation) You should learn the language, that's a lot better. In Germany, one will have more respect for you if you can speak German. If you can't speak German, you should learn and use a few words. I will be going to Germany this summer, not for the World Cup, but for a student exchange.

*Basically, if you don't speak German, learn a few words. You have no idea how much Europeans love it if you try to speak their language, you will score some serious browny points by doing so. They will have MORE RESPECT FOR YOU if you try to speak their language. They think it's pretty awesome that you're going out of your way to do so.

*If anyone has questions on basic phrases or something, I'll brush by this thread occasionally and answer some questions anyone may have. I'm finishing my junior year of high school and I've taken German since 7th grade (5 years). I would consider myself virtually (with some minor flaws) fluent in the language.

[T Nitty]

Oh man! I knew I forgot something.

Learn German!!!

I leave in 2 days. What am I gonna do?:confused: :rolleyes:

[bltleo]

Oh man! I knew I forgot something.

Learn German!!!

I leave in 2 days. What am I gonna do?:confused: :rolleyes:


you can "rent" me:) I can teach you German

bltleo
GERMANY

[Magpie Maniac]

OK, here's my basic spiel that I've been practicing. I get off the plane early Sunday morning in Frankfurt and head to the car rental desk.

"Guten Morgen. Mein name ist Mark. Ich komme aus USA. Ich spreche nicht sehr gut Deutsch. Sprechen Sie Englisch?"

If I get a "nein" reply, I'll resort to hand gestures and start waving around Euros. :D

[micheal]

OK, here's my basic spiel that I've been practicing. I get off the plane early Sunday morning in Frankfurt and head to the car rental desk.

"Guten Morgen. Mein name ist Mark. Ich komme aus USA. Ich spreche nicht sehr gut Deutsch. Sprechen Sie Englisch?"

If I get a "nein" reply, I'll resort to hand gestures and start waving around Euros. :D

Try Ich heisse Mark. Instead of Mein name ist. Then resort to hand gestures. :D

[Shibb]

Try Ich heisse Mark. Instead of Mein name ist. Then resort to hand gestures. :D

Or maybe try:

Mein Name ist Mark; ich bin heiss.

:)

[micheal]

Or maybe try:

Mein Name ist Mark; ich bin heiss.

:)

And then resort to hand gestures. You'll have all sorts of new friends!

[Magpie Maniac]

And then resort to hand gestures. You'll have all sorts of new friends!

Reminds me of Clark Griswold in National Lampoon's European Vacation.

"Hello, my family and I are looking for sex!"

[Shibb]

Reminds me of Clark Griswold in National Lampoon's European Vacation.

"Ich bin Geil."

[T Nitty]

OK, here's my basic spiel that I've been practicing. I get off the plane early Sunday morning in Frankfurt and head to the car rental desk.

"Guten Morgen. Mein name ist Mark. Ich komme aus USA. Ich spreche nicht sehr gut Deutsch. Sprechen Sie Englisch?"

If I get a "nein" reply, I'll resort to hand gestures and start waving around Euros. :D

The answer will probably be "Yes, of course I speak English. How do you think I got this job? Gots to pay the bills, dogg."

Ok, I know what "Ich bin Amerikaner" and "Sie sind Amerikaner" means. But how do I say "We are Americans"? Wir sind Amerikanerin?

[Shibb]

Ok, I know what "Ich bin Amerikaner" and "Sie sind Amerikaner" means. But how do I say "We are Americans"? Wir sind Amerikanerin?

Close. It's just:

Wir sind Amerikaner. (plural is the same as the singular).
Or
Wir sind die Amerikaner - Fürchten Sie uns!)
(We are the Americans - fear us!)

Bonus:

Treten Sie nicht auf mir!

[T Nitty]

Close. It's just:

Wir sind Amerikaner. (plural is the same as the singular).
Or
Wir sind die Amerikaner - Fürchten Sie uns!)
(We are the Americans - fear us!)

Bonus:

Treten Sie nicht auf mir!

DTOM

Hmmm... Replace the English with the German on a big banner. That would be nice.

[bltleo]

"Ich bin Geil."

haha..oyu know the right word:).....

Ich bin auch geil:)

Es is geil in Germany:)