From the start, I just want to make an official correction to the last blog I wrote. I pointed out that in German, they use the same word for getting up and getting off (e.g. a train). Unfortunately, this is actually not the case as my husband tactfully told me last week. The word just sounds the same i.e. Aussteigen and Aufstehen
Obviously, when you start to learn a new language, these sort of mistakes happen often and in my search to find out why, I’ve come to realise that words are pronounced here using your tongue in the front of the mouth. This does mean that many of the words sound the same. As I don’t have enough vocabulary to differentiate them, at least from the context – my mistakes are inevitable. My deepest apologies and note that this may be the last time I instruct anyone on Grammar or Pronunciation – at least not for another, … hmmm… decade????
Needless to say, I didn’t quite do my best on the last test and am feeling quite sorry for myself – but I’m off home this weekend to ” My land of hope and glory…” for a bit of home cooking and Mummy & Daddy love. There’s nothing quite like it, wouldn’t you agree? Normally after 6 weeks, I return but it’s been 8 weeks now since I saw them – me thinks, I am well overdue.
In the last class, we learn a bit more about “Trennbar” verbs (aka separating verbs) including the one for “Washing up” and “Tidying up”. This was very useful especially for instructing the “Ol’ Man” (husband that is). He does tend to be very good when helping in the house and I really cannot sing that Katy Perry song whole heartedly. I even have evidence – see below.
Does he wash up????.. yes he washes up... Does he clean up? Yes, he always cleans up.
We also learnt how to say when and where we go out in the evenings. I learned that Pubs and Bars are popular in both cultures but here they are called Beer Gardens (Biergartens). Also, parties and clubs open and close later here too – like 4/5 am. Most of my class are younger than me and don’t tend to leave their homes to go out until 10pm or later. This truly reminds me of my student days and just how long ago that was. I’m now the one heading for my coat and calculating the fastest U-Bahn home round about the time they plan to go out. How did I become so old without noticing? Could it be that even with a young looking face, it’s all about what’s inside that counts? You really should never judge a book by it’s cover.