most of you here speak German don't you? Anyone reccomend methods, software, dictionary, or something to help learn? I hear it is a hard language to learn?
DB-I have been studying German for several years on and off, and all I know are obscure phrases that would never need to be used. However, a good software program is quite good, just something simple that offers you a way to remember the l;anguage and speak it, as well as understand it. So go for that-I am actually buying a copy for myself tomorrow. GOOD LUCK. "Der Amerikaner have hunderkuchen in der tasche"
I wouldn't say German is too difficult, a lot of spelling, vocabularly and pronunciation is quite straight-forward, and often more logical than it is in English. Grammar and sentence structure can be tricky at times, but not insurmountable. Just take things slowly and don't try to learn too much too quickly.
From my own perspective, it helped to have had grandparents, a mother, an uncle, and an aunt who spoke German around the house all the time while growing up, thereby offering me the willingess and ability to accept my ancestral heritage. Unfortunately, here in the U.S., not too many folks I knew growing up either cared, or wanted to listen to some young lad speaking a foreign tongue. But, I soldier on, and continue to take, even force sometimes, myself to speak in German so that my skills do not further deteriorate. Aber, ich glaube das dar sind nicht viele personen hier das kann ich auch mit deutsch zu sprechen, nicht? Bill
Here is a sample of my pidgeon German. Heir ist ein sample von mein pidgeon Deutsch. Part of my problem is that I translate it as best as I can but in the English sentence structure--which I know is not correct but as mein Deutsch ist veri schlecht und ich wollt learnen, it's the besten ich kennen do. Ich kennen mein Deutsch ist understood by Deutschlanders but--I must sound like I am speaking as a 2nd grade skill level. AT least they know mein herz ist im it und ich nicht ever had any person be rude to me because what little I do know--they do see that I am trying.
During my school years I read 5 years German language. I´ve forgotten quite alot but I can still understand almsot all what I´m told in German speaking countries. Anyway, I guess some books or software is good to start with, but some classes are definitely the next step, speaking the language with others, forcing yourself to cope with German language.Maybe you could start sending PM´s with our german speaking friends at the Forums.
I do have a set of German language tapes somewhere but--still in a box from my recent move. I do try to post as much as I can in German when sending someone over there an email and I admit--I am slowly picking up new words and terms. Now if I could just get their sentence structure more correct--I think it will be easier for it to fall into place.
Check out your local Library and the internet. There's some software out there that is really good and (if you have numerous e-mail accounts such as I do) you can keep getting free trials But the library is definately a good spot to hit. Look at buying a German-English dictionary and studying it whenever you have a moment. That's what I've been doing and I'm learning it pretty quickly I think. DUCE
Carl, your 'Deutschenglisch' is rather good... And you know what's the funny thing?! Sometimes I forget German words... I'm starting to think in Spanish! That's NOT good...
Thanks for the advice Duce--I already tried that but--none of the libraries in out system have German language tapes or CDS--only frainch and Espanol (SP?) Thanks from the compliment Fried but--my German is mainly related to militaria--and militaria terms. If someone wanted to talk to me about somehting and expect me to understand--they would have to use the military terms--then I will still have a bit of trouible but--I will get the jist of the meaning.
