Dein Deutsch ist aber gut!
Although this is a compliment, I have decided that it is likely a lie and that my German is probably not as good as I have been led to believe. Perhaps I am only a likeable person, so likeable that people would lie to me to make me feel better about myself. Perhaps not.
Am I that person that walks around thinking they are good at everything, but in reality not at all? I hope not.
My response is the same each time, blushing and swinging from side-to-side saying “es geht, es geht”. And yes “it goes”, but not nearly as well as I am told.
Honestly, it is my English that needs polishing up. Even now, as I am writing this article, I struggle to differentiate between very simple words like, “hear” and “here”. Luckily the grammar check saved me on this one.
I enjoy throwing myself into situations where communication is bound to be relatively difficult. With it brings angst and a face that can absolutely not hide nervousness. However, for me there is no better way to learn than to go through a situation that is uncomfortable and often embarrassing.
Such was the case this past weekend at a party where I am quite sure that the fastest German speakers in the world decided to get together and confuse der einzige Amerikaner.
I did get two or three “dein Deutsch ist aber gut” from the party guests. However, I found myself agreeing with them this time. I went with a friend and wound up staying later than him, continuing to socialize and dance with complete strangers all on my own. After some time to become less anxious and naturally after a little bit to drink, I had very few problems understanding the rapid German and my blushing face gradually disappeared.
The people at the party and the people I meet that compliment me may or may not find me to be overly likeable or speak incredible German. I know that I’m not and I know that I don’t. However, they are pleased that I have taken an interest in their language and actively attempt to speak it in most situations.
Nonetheless, it is always a nice self-esteem boost to hear that I am doing well.
One of my only regrets in life (and maybe it can be rectified yet) is that I’ve never become really truly fluent in any other language. I speak a lot of spanish, but I’m not fluent. I know little bits of Russian, Bulgarian, Chinese, Japanese, German, French, Akan, etc… so I can do a lot of silly basic stuff like count and order food in a bunch of places. But I really can’t sustain much conversation unless it’s Spanish, and even then it’s not pretty.
Your comment on the satisfaction you get from speaking effectively hits home for me. I am happiest when I travel when I am able to do something relatively simple in another language and nobody seems to notice that I’m not a local. It’s fun to have someone come up to you, ask you the time, and give them an answer, even though if it went even 30 seconds beyond that into a real conversation, you’d be totally lost.
hey !!!
I found your blog , looking of some images of Leuphana Universität ! I found it interesting because I will be in Lüneburg too… in the next few months ! I speak spanish , and I am a little nervous .. about speaking german too…..
I would like to be in contact with you .. !! maybe you can tell me how’s everything there … !
… well … , good luck !! =)