thelostamerican
Moderator
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Re:silence is golden - 2005/03/25 13:09
Take a look at the guestbook. I found one who is interested in your story and replied back to her in german. Its a part of the culture here. It is seldom.... extreme seldom that they associate themselves with this topic. It isn't.... cultured? I'd like some more help on this subject if they would write more. But most don't trust their ability in english and have tremendous s§&tz that they'll write something wrong. Wrong spelling. Wrong Grammer. They are very precise.
Its really funnny. Not HaHa, but rather Hmmmm. My collegues at work HAVE to be able to speak English. And when they're on the phone and have to, they are great! But talk to me in english? No way. They're afraid of making mistakes. If they only knew that after 10 years here, my english is shot to hell as well! I was 2nd place in the 6th grade spelling bee! I made As in English!. But, oh well. Its gone.
And its the same with their language. I learned "High German" at the Defense Language Institute. Sort of like oxford english. When I got here and opened my mouth, not a damn person understood me. And I still get into arguments about proper gramatics!
Nobody remembers every rule as they speak. Especially when they are relaxed. And thats the way it should be. We'll understand each other even if we have to use our hands and feet. But at least we reach our goal: Understanding. That's what counts.
Sorry. I tend to go nuts on the topic of communication. There's too little of it. And only that leads to understanding. That's what counts! But I can't seem to get that thought through.
The soapbox is yours
"I do not claim to be an expert. If I say anything intelligent, it was by pure luck." thelostamerican@helloghost.com 
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