Ich spreche kaum Deustch

[alias_sqbr]

Mum just rang asking if I was up to her picking me up to go visit Grandad. The answer was, sadly, no, but we had a nice conversation, and I'm glad she at least asked so that hopefully soonish we can organise it, I haven't seen him in ages(*). She's learning German at TAFE at the moment and really enjoying it, and it was so much fun being reminded of all the "Guten Tag, mein Name ist.." stuff, and explaining how to say "Ein tausend, zwei hundert, vier und dreizig" (1234). By the end of year twelve German had become this frustrating and depressing chore, I love the language but I'm just not that good at it. And after 13 years(!) I've forgotten most of it and always feel a sad little twinge when I see German stuff and have no idea what it says. But I still know more than mum :)

nb the title of this post means "I speak very little German". At least, that's what I think it means...

(*)Though at this point I doubt he remembers who I am to miss me :(

Comments

[ariaflame.livejournal.com]

I remember Ich heise (spelling may be out), linke, richte, and for some reason, schloss and krankenwagon, but I only did one year of german.

[alias_sqbr]

Krankenwagon is a pretty memorable word :)

[nephron.livejournal.com]

He might not remember who you are to miss you (so probably wouldn't be distressed by you not turning up), but he'd probably enjoy seeing you nonetheless, if/when you're able to see him. But you have to work within your own limits.

[alias_sqbr]

*nods*

[mpfl.livejournal.com]

Deutsch macht spass!

[alias_sqbr]

*tries to think of an appropriate reply*

Ja! :)

[infamyanonymous.livejournal.com]

It'd be nice if you could keep up a language without using it. Amusingly, the Indonesian phrase I can remember best is "Ku berbahasa Indonesia sedikit saja", which is "I speak only a little Indonesian".
It's that fun language thing that makes it easier to understand your second langage better than being able to speak it. School and uni make learning a language a chore rather than a hobby :(

All I know in German is- "Ich bin kein dicker fetter panda. Ich bin der dicker fetter panda!"
(Completely expecting to be corrected on spelling and grammar.)

[alias_sqbr]

*looks at that sentence*

*googles, and yes that is the translation they used*

How odd, to me that says "I am no big fat panda" rather than "I am not a big fat panda", which loses the meaning "I am not one big fat panda amongst many". Then again, I'm not sure how else you would translate it.

[pedanther]

I did three years of German in high school, but after that the school made me choose between German or TEE maths, and on sober reflection I had to admit the maths was more likely to be useful. My standard joke is that all I remember of German now is how to say "Hello", "Goodbye", and "Schwarzwalderkirchtorte".

Speaking of grandparents and German lessons, my maternal grandmother was known to the entire family as "Mutti", which started when one of her daughters was learning German, spread to all her children, and then in the fullness of time to their children as well. Grampa, on the other hand, utterly refused to be called "Farty", no matter how it was supposedly spelt.

[alias_sqbr]

I was choosing between German and Drama. I'd say "I don't think it damaged my career any" but I did work as basically a children's entertainer for a while, and Drama would have been helpful.

Heh. In his youth my uncle learned german insults just so he could yell them at my grandad. Your story is cuter :)

[nico-wolfwood.livejournal.com]

I know how to say "I don't know Mandarin" in Mandarin! :)

[alias_sqbr]

Has this ever come in handy? :)

[nico-wolfwood.livejournal.com]

I use it all the time now that I'm living in Singapore again. :P

[alias_sqbr]

Good point, I imagine my very little German would have more of a chance of being useful if I ever went to a German speaking country! (That sentence looks stupidly obvious now that I type it)

[nico-wolfwood.livejournal.com]

The funny thing is that Singapore is supposed to be an English speaking country. :P

[alias_sqbr]

Yes, but you're a LOT more multilingual than we are. Isn't Mandarin one of the official languages?

[nico-wolfwood.livejournal.com]

One of them yes. But when you see a Malay or an Indian speaking Mandarin you realise how pervasive it's use is. Also, it makes me feel bad :(

[alias_sqbr]

You are still way more multilingual than I am! (Admittedly, we Anglo Australians don't tend to set a very high bar to surpass :))

[nico-wolfwood.livejournal.com]

Oh I don't debate that the country is multilingual - my issue is that one shouldn't have to speak mandarin to get anywhere, which is often the case.

[alias_sqbr]

Ah. Yeah, that makes sense.