How German speaks English?

[bltleo]

Interesting article from Spiegel magazine about how we Germans speaks English really. I found this article hillarious.

about "I don´t speak so much English"....these lying Germans:

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,410295,00.html

some thoughts from the article
"Why, then, do almost all Germans insist that they don't speak English when asked? They are, quite simply, a shy bunch -- they would rather you make an ass out of yourself annihilating the German language than the other way around. "I learned English in school, but it's not so good," you'll hear. They will then begin discussing esoteric grammar points or American literature in educated, fluent, witty English."

so dear Americans, you will have no problems to communicate with us Germans. We can make it.

Maybe Americans who already visited Germany, can share their experience about communicating with Germans. I think it would be useful for those Americans who has not visited Germany yet.



bltleo
Germany

[nowherenova]

I have been to Europe 6 times over the last ten years and would say the only places (non-english obviously) where they speak better than in Germany are Holland and Denmark. Of course in rural areas a lot of the older folks do not speak much English. (I have not been to Norway or Sweden)

But the European idea of "not much" is a bit different from the American version.

[babytiger2001]

My final year at university -- which was in California -- I had a German roommate, among the three roommates I had in an on-campus student apartment. The first day he moved in, in time for the autumn term, I noticed that with his German accent (I had just taken an accelerated German language course during the summer term, this was in 1991) he was speaking perfect English.

I asked him about that, and he said that it was due to all students in Germany (I'm sure, in retrospect, he meant in what was at the time West Germany, in his youth) being required to study English.

That said, I think there wouldn't be a problem with communication issues such as basic language when travelling throughout Germany for the World Cup finals.

[AGF Aarhus]

My experience is that Germans are much more reluctant to speak English than other Europeans are. They mostly do all speak fairly decent English, but it seems that many are too shy or embarressed about making mistakes. I've found that people in other countries are more willing to speak even if they know that they are making tons of mistakes. Just my observation.

[Sachin]

In German movies, when a German needs to pass as an American, does he just speak German with an American accent?

I've always wondered that.

Sachin

[aueagle1]

In my times in Europe, Germans speak the best English and are only initially reluctant to use it. I enjoy trying to use my German (which is not very good) and after a few minutes Germans feel comfortable enough to speak in English and not worry about their mistakes, which they rarely make. In several other countries, I have dealt with people who are much more likely to be reluctant to speak English. While studying in Hungary, English speaking Hungarians would speak to me only in Hungarian because they didn't want to lose their language. Germans speak exceptionally well and are willing to speak freely once they feel somewhat comfortable. The most difficult thing is making a German feel comfortable or at home.

[spitfire04]

As the English language is of 70% "German" descent (from the Angles and Saxons that settled England 1500 years ago) I am sure Germans find English easier to comprehend, as opposed to other languages. (maybe blteo can confirm or deny this).

Similarly, as an Englishman, I find that German is a more comfortable language to get a feel for, more than say Italian or Spanish, due to the links between our two languages.

(I put "German" in speech marks as I know Germany didn't exist as an entire nation before 1870)

[bltleo]

My experience is that Germans are much more reluctant to speak English than other Europeans are. They mostly do all speak fairly decent English, but it seems that many are too shy or embarressed about making mistakes. I've found that people in other countries are more willing to speak even if they know that they are making tons of mistakes. Just my observation.

actually I think French are more reluctant to speak English.
I speak a bit French, so for me it is a bit easier to do travelling to France. But if you don´t speak French and try to speak English, they pretend they don´t understand. If I´m in Alsace, mostly people understand German as well, especially in area close to Germany. In many restaraunts in France, they also don´t want or don´t understand English.

[bltleo]

As the English language is of 70% "German" descent (from the Angles and Saxons that settled England 1500 years ago) I am sure Germans find English easier to comprehend, as opposed to other languages. (maybe blteo can confirm or deny this).

Similarly, as an Englishman, I find that German is a more comfortable language to get a feel for, more than say Italian or Spanish, due to the links between our two languages.

(I put "German" in speech marks as I know Germany didn't exist as an entire nation before 1870)

I can confirm what spitfire04 is saying. For me is also easier to understand English than French despite I have learned French as well. So you are right.
I think it is easier to understand English or read English than to speak. I do many mistake when speaking English. But if I read book it is easier for me. I also can understand English on T.V or radio. But of course if I have to speak English, I only think that I do many mistakes:). I do many mistakes at bigsoccer as well. I bet you will find couple of grammar mistake. But I understand you all and I know how to express my opinion. But I wish I spoke more fluently English. I try to use any opportunity to speak with native Speaker. It is the best training!.

The same I can recommend American: find german friend and try to speak German with him/her:).

[spitfire04]

I have been to Europe 6 times over the last ten years and would say the only places (non-english obviously) where they speak better than in Germany are Holland and Denmark. Of course in rural areas a lot of the older folks do not speak much English. (I have not been to Norway or Sweden)

But the European idea of "not much" is a bit different from the American version.

Also, people like the Frisians in northern Holland speak a language that is almost the same as English due to their ancestors being part of the migration to England after the Romans left around 470 AD. Indeed, their language is how Saxon English would have sounded before the Normans invaded in 1066.

It is of interest to note that alot of legal and "upper class" English is very much Norman influenced, whereas the language of the "lower class" in England is very much Saxon/Old English based. (including all of the swear words!)

[bltleo]

I have been to Europe 6 times over the last ten years and would say the only places (non-english obviously) where they speak better than in Germany are Holland and Denmark. Of course in rural areas a lot of the older folks do not speak much English. (I have not been to Norway or Sweden)

But the European idea of "not much" is a bit different from the American version.

yes this is true. People in Denmark, Sweden and Finnland or Norway speak very good English. Dutch speaks very good German and English.

We Germans learn English at school. So I think mostly Germans can communicate in English, at least to have some small talk.

From european countries I think French people don´t like or don´t want to speak English. At least we Germans have this experience.

[Mattbro]

In German movies, when a German needs to pass as an American, does he just speak German with an American accent?

I've always wondered that.

Sachin

Last night I was watching the movie Frantic with Harrison Ford. At one point he goes into a flower shop (in Paris), and asks - in dubbed German - whether they speak English.

[gunner_21]

When I was in Germany to visit my uncle only one of his friends spoke english. He was nervous about using it because he doesn't speak english very often but his english is much better than german! (I know little to none) I think there's always a fear that you're going to make a fool of yourself when speaking another language. He would sometimes ask if I understood what he was saying but 90% of the time his english was great.

[Mattbro]

actually I think French are more reluctant to speak English.
I speak a bit French, so for me it is a bit easier to do travelling to France. But if you don´t speak French and try to speak English, they pretend they don´t understand. If I´m in Alsace, mostly people understand German as well, especially in area close to Germany. In many restaraunts in France, they also don´t want or don´t understand English.

Granted, I never speak English on a day-to-day basis with Austrians or Germans, but from what I've been told and what I've observed, Germans/Austrians are in no way hesitant to speak English with those who don't understand German. On the contrary, they relish the opportunity to practice their English.

French, on the other hand, are very reluctant to speak English, nor are they that good at it (pardon the gross generalization).

No one speaks English better than the Swedes though. Not even Americans!

[gunner_21]

From european countries I think French people don´t like or don´t want to speak English. At least we Germans have this experience.

You are right about this!

[Batcave Brigade]

I have been to Europe 6 times over the last ten years and would say the only places (non-english obviously) where they speak better than in Germany are Holland and Denmark. Of course in rural areas a lot of the older folks do not speak much English. (I have not been to Norway or Sweden)

But the European idea of "not much" is a bit different from the American version.

On average, the speak better English in all the Nordic countries than Germany. You get all the American and British shows in English, none of this dubbing bollox.

[spitfire04]

[
From european countries I think French people don´t like or don´t want to speak English. At least we Germans have this experience.[/QUOTE]

I think this is more of a cultural thing, where the French have historically viewed England as an enemy. I can see their point of view, in terms of their language being diminished by English, but then they have to be practical as well.

Whenever I am in France I always speak French, even if it is not perfect, and people respect that.

[Mattbro]

On average, the speak better English in all the Nordic countries than Germany. You get all the American and British shows in English, none of this dubbing bollox.

This is true. As a general rule the Scandinavians speak English very well.

[bltleo]

[
From european countries I think French people don´t like or don´t want to speak English. At least we Germans have this experience.

I think this is more of a cultural thing, where the French have historically viewed England as an enemy. I can see their point of view, in terms of their language being diminished by English, but then they have to be practical as well.

Whenever I am in France I always speak French, even if it is not perfect, and people respect that.[/QUOTE]

In France I try to speak only French, even my french is not so perfect. But people who don´t speak French and travel to France, they can only speak English and that can be problem in France. French people speaks English, but they don´t want:). Well in Alcase I can speak German and people understand me. Or I simply speak French-German and it works. But to speak English in France?

Nordic country speaks very good English. And you also will have no problem with English in Holland. We Germans speaks also good English.

[Batcave Brigade]

This is true. As a general rule the Scandinavians speak English very well.

Don't call the Finns Scandanavian though! I learned my lesson a couple weeks ago!