This happens a lot when I speak any German at work, as a German learner in Singapore. Especially since I have zero German-speaking work colleagues. :-P
As much of a joke as it's meant to be, I feel like it would require some level of fluency to actually be able to order in a restaurant effectively. In many realistic situations, you can say "I'd like two beers please" in your target language, but after the server replies "Ej**3 Glaf45 Mal*o ***gaxx." You gotta be able to know what they're saying or else it's all gonna go downhill
I think it's more than when you're learning a language, people who don't understand that language at all think you're fluent, no matter what level you're at...
this reminds me of me buying a bus ticket in Germany (which was quite easy to say in German, even though I don't speak it) and then staring at the driver, when he asked, if I wanted a return ticket as well (he repeated it in English afterwards, that's why I know what he meant :D)
Adush, that reminds me of the first time we went to Vienna. A friend and I needed directions to the nearest public restroom. Along comes a local and we ask him (in Deutsch). It occurred to me at that exact moment that we would not be able to understand the directions. Oh yeah, that's what happened and he kindly used hand gestures to direct us as he repeated the directions (half-smiling the whole time).
We still had to figure out ourselves where the restroom was afterwards.
First day you enter a shop, you speak directly in English (or what you know of English) Second week you try to order in the local language and they answer you in English :) Third try later. You order in the right language they answer in the same language and you say "WHAT?" :) If I could draw, I would make the comic... It happened so many times!
Hahaha I self-taught myself some useful Japanese phrases for fun and for using with a few friends, and I frequent an awesome little Japanese corner store near my school. Every time I go there, I greet the workers I'm familiar with, etc., and the second I leave my friends are reacting exactly like this! It's pretty funny.
This happens a lot when I speak any German at work, as a German learner in Singapore. Especially since I have zero German-speaking work colleagues. :-P
ReplyDeleteMilk that praise for all it's worth!
DeleteAs much of a joke as it's meant to be, I feel like it would require some level of fluency to actually be able to order in a restaurant effectively. In many realistic situations, you can say "I'd like two beers please" in your target language, but after the server replies "Ej**3 Glaf45 Mal*o ***gaxx." You gotta be able to know what they're saying or else it's all gonna go downhill
ReplyDeleteI think it's more than when you're learning a language, people who don't understand that language at all think you're fluent, no matter what level you're at...
Deletethis reminds me of me buying a bus ticket in Germany (which was quite easy to say in German, even though I don't speak it) and then staring at the driver, when he asked, if I wanted a return ticket as well (he repeated it in English afterwards, that's why I know what he meant :D)
DeleteThat's the problem if your accent is pretty good - Germans assume you're German!
DeleteAdush, that reminds me of the first time we went to Vienna. A friend and I needed directions to the nearest public restroom. Along comes a local and we ask him (in Deutsch). It occurred to me at that exact moment that we would not be able to understand the directions. Oh yeah, that's what happened and he kindly used hand gestures to direct us as he repeated the directions (half-smiling the whole time).
DeleteWe still had to figure out ourselves where the restroom was afterwards.
First day you enter a shop, you speak directly in English (or what you know of English)
ReplyDeleteSecond week you try to order in the local language and they answer you in English :)
Third try later. You order in the right language they answer in the same language and you say "WHAT?" :)
If I could draw, I would make the comic... It happened so many times!
Maybe I'll steal your idea...!
Deleteplease do! I'll have a good laugh :)
ReplyDeleteHahaha I self-taught myself some useful Japanese phrases for fun and for using with a few friends, and I frequent an awesome little Japanese corner store near my school. Every time I go there, I greet the workers I'm familiar with, etc., and the second I leave my friends are reacting exactly like this! It's pretty funny.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for having the initiative! That's what language learning's all about
DeleteTeeheehee. This made me giggle XD
ReplyDeleteItchy's friend's expressions are on point! :P
ReplyDelete:O
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