Comments on: the german lanaguage?

By: Cordula J

Cordula J — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 05:03:59 +0000

To compare todays German to Shakespeares english is really idiotic… I haven`t heard of anything that stupid in ages.
Even for a native german like me reading Goethe is hard.

I don`t think German is such a hard language to learn. My parents came from Poland in the 70s. They learned it in a year. I think the key to learning german is not to compare it too much to english. Since there are many differences. The best way to learn a foreign language is to speak it. And practise speaking it, by talking to others only in german. Of course it`ll be hard for you to move to Germany and speak it…but you could go abroad for a semester. I went to the US for a highschool year, and thats where I learned english. That worked well for me. German isn`t more difficult than other roman languages. Because its related to english and french for example. You will get used to it. Just because it doesnt sound as fancy as french , doesnt mean it is as rough as it sounds to foreign ears…give it a shot !
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german native, who learned english abroad

By: Maria4

Maria4 — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 04:25:59 +0000

take it from somebody who learned english and german and is now fluent in both: if you did not get it from the first answer german is really really really hard. even the maajority of the german population can't get it 100% right. here is a good example for you: you probably red Shakespeare in school, notice how his english is different from today's enlglish? i had to read Goethe in german school, well it is not that different from todays german. so imagine you would be learning english as a foreighner, but shakespre's english.

however there is a big big pro in learning german, opposing to let's say french. reading and pronouncing is very straight forward. no matter how funny you will pronounce, people will most likely understand you.

so think for yourself, and here is another little something to consider: there are onlly a couple of german speaking countries in europe in the world, compared to let's say.. spanish.
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By: Henry J

Henry J — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:55:59 +0000

as someone already wrote, any new language can be hard to learn, but it´s always worth it! And there is no language you can "never learn" if you´re determined to do so. That aside, German is actually not that different to English, in terms of vocabulary. The grammar is a different story, but hey, you learn that too.
A good idea is certainly to practice a lot, find someone to talk to, possibly a native speaker. If you´re going to take German in college there´s sure to be someone who already speaks it right?? And btw, German isn´t such a rare language;)
Good luck!!
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By: Alwin E

Alwin E — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:36:59 +0000

German is a wonderful language (well, I'm native). If you took French, German will be easy for you. Four cases, verbs and nouns do flex, and all the tenses and irregularities will be much like in French. You might encounter gender problems, as German has three of them, male, female, and neuter. But don't be too much afraid of that: Even if you ask something like "Wohin kann ich nach das Bahnhof gehen?", which is really bad German, everybody will understand and show you the direction. [The correct phrase would be: "Wo geht es hier zum Bahnhof?"]
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By: Sammi

Sammi — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:07:59 +0000

Well learning German can be difficult but learning any language is. German's grammar is almost impossible to get perfect, and German's have 16 different words that mean the and if you use the wrong the word people kind of look at you funny, besides that I find the actually German words easy to learn and remember. I had started by taking Spanish then after a year of Spanish I changed to German I personally like German better then Spanish. At first German Can seem a little overwhelming but it does get easier.
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By: Wulf -Troll Ripper (JPA)

Wulf -Troll Ripper (JPA) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 02:45:59 +0000

I have been learning German for 20 years and still cannot speak it perfect and make small mistakes still.

It takes shear will and determination and desire to want to learn it. It also helps to have a Native helping you as I do. The Grammar will be your hardest part to learn, try to build a vocab base and learn how to make sentences with them correctly.

Their are a few schools, tutors and such that could assist you with this in Germany or where you are possibly.

I like the language I am just not a Master of it, but I learned fast as you did French. I think it also has to do with the desire and practise too!

Viel Gluek. Good Luck.
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Shihan

By: geier55

geier55 — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 02:38:59 +0000

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