Hi everybody!
My name is Luisa, I’m from Romania and I came to Berlin three weeks ago. Even after three weeks everything is still new to me. I have no idea where this city starts and where it ends. I met new people, went to parties, saw movies, cooked with friends. Probably you already know the three golden questions that connect foreigners in here – “what’s your name?”, “where do you come from?”…”do you speak German?”.
I don’t speak German, but I will. This was my most common answer. So common and so simple that I’ve never imagined I would have to explain myself. I wasn’t expecting to be asked why. Why do I want to learn it.
And this is how I met Tom – a funny Irish that has been living in Berlin for almost 4 years. He teaches English and doesn’t really care that “Guten Tag”, “Danke sehr”, “Speisekarte” , “U-Bahn” and “Geld” are not the only German words in the dictionary. “Why should I? Everybody speaks English!”.
And this is how I met Lisa, from Italy. She doesn’t feel like learning German either. “As long as they understand “pasta” and “pizza”, I’m fine” says Lisa with a smile.
And this is how I met Francois, a web designer. And more. And eventually, after three weeks, I realized I only heard German for one evening. In Germany!
I personally think it’s wonderful to speak the language of the country you live in. To make jokes or even have a fight in that language!
To all of you who dare to add “der, die, das” as a friend, congrats and viel Glück!
Yes Lu, I think is nice to speak the language of the country you live in, here in Barcelona spanish think the same while the catalans are more than convinced of it hahah. And no, here they don’t speak english to you. But overcoming this disgrace, I think a new language is a new fortune of unaccountable concepts and ways of understanding.. it’s a shame to lose it.
Yes I also find it’s nice to speak the language of the country you live in. I live in Barcelona for almost 3 years now and here the people think the same while the catalans are more than convinced about it hahaha.. And no, they don’t speak english for you and for nobody, you are lucky if they agree to speak spanish. In each country of the world you would choose to live you have to learn one language… well, here you have to learn two. For being completely accepted I mean. But all in all and overcoming this disgrace I think every new language comes as a huge treasure of inexpressible concepts and ways of understanding… then, being so close to us it’s a shame to simply close our ears and let it to escape.