22.7.10

Part V

I am not even sure why I am doing this anymore.

Really, it is a lost cause.

But it has been more than a year and I can't resist trying again.

Oh, that rotten language.

What motivated me this time? A few things.

1. Inspiration. Reading about my fellow expats' ambitions (for example, Blogness Monster and No Apathy Allowed)

2. Fear of Regression. I've realized that my English has gotten worser and worser but my German hasn't improved much since around 2007. At this rate, I may reduced to babbling random words in a mixed vocabulary by 2012. Or grunting and pointing.

3. Shame. Realizing also that in January I will have been in Germany for 5 years. Woah! It is beyond embarrassing when meeting new German people to have the standard discussion:
'Where are you from?'
'The US'
'Oh, how long have you been here?'
'Coming up on 5 years'
'Oh, you must speak German!'
'Umm, erm, well,'
'But after 5 years!'
'Gulp, I know.'

4. Competition. Although Mr. Kilt has been in Germany longer than me, it hasn't been that much longer and he manages just fine in German and I secretly suspect that I am smarter than him. So if he can learn it, I should be able to as well. (Heehee, if he ever reads this blog, boy am I in trouble!)

5. World Cup Foolishness. I promised that if Germany won the world cup I would learn German. They came in 3rd place. It must be a sign.

While it's under discussion if Mr. Kilt and I will stay here long term (another post in the making), in the event that we do, I need to try, try, try again.

Yes, make that the 5th time.

Classes start September 13, first day back from vacation in the US.

Posted from Munich

4 comments:

G in Berlin said...

I laughed when I read this, because I have delayed my next German class twice: B.1.2 starts Sept 6. I'm really not looking forward to it because I seem to have forgotten an awful lot in the last year. On the other hand, I chatted for half an hour with a windshield repairman this week and we understood each other well: he's taking English at Wall Street, but he was afraid to use it with me:).
I'm finding that it's never an issue to amke myself understood, or to- in general- understand others. The problem is that my German is crap. I'm not certain if I will ever speak properly. Luckily, I've found that most Germans are very friendly about my crap language abilities, and willing to work with me. They seem grateful that I'm trying, which I always found to be true in France (though not Quebec) as well.
Good luck- I'll think of you when I am boning up on grammar in New York this month!(I'm to embarrassed to go back to class without review, so I have already packed my text.)

Anonymous said...

you're the little engine that could. :-)

i've always wondered if mr. kilt read the blog...

Mandi said...

You can do it! Especially with Motivation #4 on your list this time -- that should make all the difference. ;)

Michelle said...

@ G - A2.2 seems to be the wall for me. I have been at that level forever!! I want to be a B student now :-)

@ aimee - I told Mr. Kilt about the blog but he hasn't asked to read it yet so I can still get away with saying whatever I want ;-)

Thanks Mandi!