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

[Justin O]

I imagine Germany will become practically an English-speaking country during the World Cup. Keep in mind people from all over the world, not just the English, Americans and Australians, will be counting on getting by with English.

[Shibb]

Wizhawk, on your list I'd use "Toiletten" instead of "Badezimmer".



Here's a top 10 phrases I always try to learn:

1. Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening
2. My name is ...
3. I'd like a beer, please.
4. One more beer, please.
5. What's your name?
6. Can I buy you a beer?
7. I think destiny brought us together.
8. I want you to bear my children.
9. No, I don't want to meet your husband/brother/father.
10. American? No. I'm from Canada!

;) :D

1. (Guten) Morgen/Guten Tag / Guten Abend
2. Ich bin OR Ich heisse
3. Ein Bier, bitte
4. Noch eine/noch mals, bitte
5. Wie heissen Sie/ Wie heisst du?
6. Darf ich dir ein Bier kaufen? / Darf ich kaufen?
7. (No idea, but with dictionary) Das Schicksal hat uns zusammen gebracht. (Probably not you'd really say, and might not be understood they way you want)
8. Ich moechte dich ficken. ;) Ich hab dich wirklich Lieb.
9. Nein, ich will nicht deine Mann/Bruder/Vater mittreffen.
10. Amerikaner? Ich komme aus Kanada!

[AGF Aarhus]

Good job Shibb. Just a couple corrections, though.

8. should be 'Ich will ein Kind von dir.', although what you wrote is just lovely, too!

9. 'Mann/Bruder/Vater' is masculine, not femanine, so it should be 'deinen' not 'deine' (or is it 'deiner'? I hate German grammar!!!). Also, I'm not aware that 'mittreffen' is a word, but simply 'treffen' is the right verb in the case anyway, as far as I know.

[roadkit]

Sweet! That'll save me a few hours of translating my English into "frontier gibberish*" German using my handy English-German dictionary!!

:D

*What it would sound like to a German.;)

[T Nitty]

I was in Germany 2.5 years ago for about 10 days. Some of that time I had an American friend eager to practice her German and interpret. Most of the time I was on my own and didn't have much of a problem. I had 2 years of the language in HS. Stupidly, I didn't attempt to learn much, but the few words and knowledge of pronunciation was helpful.

Most staff at hotels/restaurants/bars/airports/castles/museums are probably hired because of their English. I tried asking for a room (ein zimmer?) a few times but the conversation always turned to English quickly. There was a communication barrier at an Italian restaurant in Fussen, but the attractive dark-haired waitress made it more than bearable.

It wouldn't hurt to take a beginning German course, but it's definitely not necessary. Though if you want to gain any sort of comfort, I would study with CD's, phrasebooks, etc. on a daily basis starting now. Unless you're a language genius, don't expect any miracles. It's also important to speak, not just read. Get a friend or fellow traveler to learn with you (bonus if they already know the language).

Practice the important words and phrases such as:
--NUMBERS! When in doubt about prices, have them write it. By the way, they use commas instead of decimals ($40.00=40,00)
--"Check please." You'll likely have to ask. Europeans don't seem to have the same philosophy of in-your-face-hurry-up-and-eat-and-pay-and-get-out customer service that we are accustomed to in the States.
--Greetings (Hallo, Tschuss, Danke, etc.)
--Emergencies (medical stuff, where's the bathroom?, I need a beer, I am too drunk and I'm lost and need to get to the USA match)
--It wouldn't hurt to have a little cheat sheet in your pocket (reminds me of HS German class. Ha!).

On my French experience...
I had to stop for gas there while driving from Germany to UK. That's when I discovered I didn't know one word of French. When I went to pay, I just held up 4 fingers (for pump #4). I guess the moral is: If all else fails, use sign language.

[JBigjake]

There's nothing too complicated with "Wo ist der Bahnhof?"

Isn't slang: "Wie geht's zur Bahnhof?"
"Wo ist ...?" should also work fine, or even "Bahnhof?"
Ignore lengthy answers, just walk in the direction pointed & ask again in the next block or two! No one in the US needs to inquire "Excuse me, sir, but could you provide me with directions to the main train station?" The last two words suffice. Someone willing to stop & listen to your question will probably also be helpful enough to provide the correct answer or enlist the help of other passersby!

[babytiger2001]

Slighly altered the thread title, and it is now a sticky, since there is valuable information in the thread that those travelling to Germany can use as a highly essential set of survival skills.

Carry on, all... keep up the good work.

[babytiger2001]

Sweet! That'll save me a few hours of translating my English into "frontier gibberish*" German using my handy English-German dictionary!!

:D
Just as a means of common sense, it might be a good idea to carry one of these German-English/English-German dictionaries around, merely as a last resort.

[MikeLastort2]

One valuable lesson I learned on dance floor about 20 years ago:

When you're in a club and trying to pick up the girl you just danced a few songs with, and want to head back to the table because you're getting a little sweaty from moving around, don't say

"ich bin warm"

Instead, use the phrase "es ist mir warm."

The first translates literally to "I am warm," and the second to "it is warm to me."

The problem I encountered is that "ich bin warm" is an idiom for "I am gay." ;)

[T Nitty]

Slighly altered the thread title, and it is now a sticky, since there is valuable information in the thread that those travelling to Germany can use as a highly essential set of survival skills.

Carry on, all... keep up the good work.

Maybe I'm being picky about this sticky, but it might be better to start a new thread for the purpose of educating folks on the culture also (not just language). A poll doesn't seem to be the right format for this type of thing.

Deposit 2¢, please.

[Adam Zebrowski]

a large percentage of germans speak english...

in fact, most of europe you'd get away with NOT speaking the native language....

unless your car breaks down on a rural dirt path, you'll be ok....

[JBigjake]

10. Amerikaner? Ich komme aus Kanada!
Amerikaner? Ich komme aus Kalifornien. Unsere Gubenator ist Arnold Schwartzenegger!

[suppitty]

Everyone in Germany speaks English. Most of them speak it better than us. Nobody should have any trouble communicating.

[roadkit]

Just as a means of common sense, it might be a good idea to carry one of these German-English/English-German dictionaries around, merely as a last resort.

I highly recommend picking up a copy of Langenscheidt's "Jiffy Phrasebook" in German. It's small, has a vinyl cover, and pretty much covers all the phrases you could need: from booze, to food, to the hospital (hopefully you won't need that), it pretty mcuh covers it all.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0887299520.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Shibb]

Good job Shibb. Just a couple corrections, though.

8. should be 'Ich will ein Kind von dir.', although what you wrote is just lovely, too!

9. 'Mann/Bruder/Vater' is masculine, not femanine, so it should be 'deinen' not 'deine' (or is it 'deiner'? I hate German grammar!!!). Also, I'm not aware that 'mittreffen' is a word, but simply 'treffen' is the right verb in the case anyway, as far as I know.

Re #8, well, that's what you get when you ask me something like that. it is direct and to the point. ;)

9. You're correct. Too many languages in my head. In German the article takes the case of the subject, I was thinking feminine 'cause he was speaking to a women (usually). Mittreffen was a bit of swag and unnecessary. The "with" is implied in German IIRC.

[babytiger2001]

I highly recommend picking up a copy of Langenscheidt's "Jiffy Phrasebook" in German. It's small, has a vinyl cover, and pretty much covers all the phrases you could need: from booze, to food, to the hospital (hopefully you won't need that), it pretty mcuh covers it all.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0887299520.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg
Is that volume relatively easy to pick up?

[MikeLastort2]

Everyone in Germany speaks English. Most of them speak it better than us. Nobody should have any trouble communicating.

Wrong.

[F96]

Everyone in Germany speaks English. Most of them speak it better than us. Nobody should have any trouble communicating.

My parents and lots of other relatives of mine can't speak English at all and there are lots more.

[Shibb]

Is that volume relatively easy to pick up?


Doesn't look too heavy.


;)


Try this link for that book on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887299520/002-4752194-3000012?v=glance&n=283155).

Should be just under $8. Sounds like a decent investment.

[roadkit]

Is that volume relatively easy to pick up?

Bitte sehr!

I got it at Borders within the last two years - I think it is on Amazon for about $7.95

Alles gute.