Why you should learn German and why you don't need to (anymore)

This is a response to the comments made on this video here:

Learning the language of the host country is an absolute must...or is it?

What happens when it is not longer necessary?

What happens when only those who really enjoy language learning put in the effort?

Germany has some tough decisions to make....

#germanlanguage #culturaldifferences #germanimmigration

[hainsey]

My brother's wife and his children who live in Germany speak perfect English. I've been visiting for over 20 years and have never really needed to speak German. However I started learning German two years ago. It's a matter of respect. I really need to speak the mother tongue of my nephews. But what I've also found after two years is the realisation you can fool yourself that everyone speaks English. You subconsciously shop and engage with businesses that you know will have English speakers. Now I can shop and eat anywhere with confidence I'm going to be understood, because I'm speaking the local language. The biggest breakthrough came when I was checking into a hotel and reception asked if I preferred to be spoken to in German or English. Of course I chickened out and chose English so there'd be no mistakes in dates and payment. Nevertheless being asked the question was so flattering. Maybe you don't need to learn German anymore. But in terms of getting to know the culture and having a sense of achievement, absolutely go ahead.

[CarmelaAntolini]

I live in Frankfurt, I speak fluent English and German up to level B2. I am IT-Digital marketing specialist and I can't find any job due to the reason that I don't speak German on a native level. At least, that's the reply I get.

[tom_hagen]

Germans need to learn how to balance globalization and protecting their culture. In the Netherlands, people often speak English and German, but they still expect people to learn Dutch. I think that’s the right approach.

[Schneemann-]

The German language (standard high German) is music to my ears. It‘s a beautiful language!

[jindrichbartek]

Temporary stay (0-3 years) -> German is optional.
Long-term stay (3+ years) -> Learning and speaking German is very wise.

[MsChris]

It’s beyond me that you have to clarify your previous video. I thought you made it very clear what you meant. At least I got it.

[Alex.Shalda]

Really love what you say, just moved to Germany, will learn German, although I am fluent in English. Keep posting 😊

[wallykaspars]

Excellent video with many good points. I'm an American and lived in Germany for 18 years. Yes, at the beginning I encountered many frustrations to learn German, but, with time I improved and eventually my German was proficient. I was very satisfied to have learned the language, especially when I throroughly read the Frankfurter Rundschau and understood almost everything. I think that living in any country it's essential to know the language, also for personal improvement. I now live in the US, but daily watch news from Germany.
I wish you much luck in Frankfurt!

[conniebruckner]

Once I learnt German, and was using it daily in almost all interactions, I noticed how annoyed I became when people in the news, radio or TV would use an English word when there was a perfectly good German word, probably because they thought they would sound more modern or cosmopolitan doing this.

Als ich Deutsch lernte und es täglich in fast allen Interaktionen benutzte, bemerkte ich, wie genervt ich war, wenn Leute in den Nachrichten, im Radio oder im Fernsehen ein englisches Wort benutzten, obwohl es ein vollkommen gutes deutsches Wort gab, wahrscheinlich weil sie dachten, dass sie dadurch moderner oder weltoffener klingen würden.

[edmundwoolliams]

I moved to China in 2019, and spent the two years prior taking Chinese classes, so I was about HSK 3 when I arrived. That was an absolutely worthwhile investment, not only because it is genuinely necessary to learn some Chinese to get by in China (without staying in expat circles only), but mainly because all the richest experiences I had there wouldn't have been possible without being able to communicate with the locals.

I moved to Berlin last month, and learned a bit of German beforehand (the first half of A1 on Duolingo), and having spent 5 years using Chinese as my second language, trying to use German has been absolutely mind-boggling to say the least!.. My brain instinctively translates my thoughts from English to Chinese whenever I'm interacting with someone, then attempts to translate the Chinese directly into German, which often results in a "cannot compute". Sometimes sentences are formed half in Chinese, half in German. 😂 Some German service and hospitality staff have heard a "hao-OK", "xing", "zhege-ein" here and there...

It's gonna be a challenge, but I definitely don't want to live here without lerning German, because I know first-hand that it makes a world of difference knowing the local language.

[blotski]

I just want to add a story to back up (not argue with) what you said about learning the language ie that you can survive without it but your life will be infinitely easer with it. And sometimes you won't necessarily realise this.
For reasons it would take too long to explain I am English but speak Romanian pretty fluently. Although I don't live there I have many friends there. A few years back I was sitting with a bunch of Romanian friends in a bar/restaurant in Bucharest and we were having a really good time. I was told another friend was joining us and was bringing an English friend with him who had been living there for nine years. Like a fool I presumed he would have learned Romanian in that time. But no. When he arrived we all switched to English because apparently his Romanian only stretched to basic transactions not conversations. What he was completely unaware of was how the atmosphere changed. It's even hard to describe now but somehow the atmosphere wasn't the same anymore. The conversation was slower, less witty and people were relaxed and friendly but not quite as relaxed and friendly as they had been because obviously they were now having to speak in a foreign language. It was just less fun. I was actually a little bit relieved when he finally left and we could go back to speaking in Romanian. This guy had no concept of this therefore didn't realise what he was missing. Basically, taking friendships and integration to the next level.

For me another reason is just I don't like the feeling of disadvantage when somebody speaks my language but I don't speak theirs so I have to rely on their skills to make up for my lack of skill. It makes me feel the relationship is unbalanced and I am dependent and helpless. Of course, as English speakers we have to get used to this because we can't learn absolutely every language and most people do learn English. But if you have a reason for learning a specific language - go for it.

[LoïkLütkehus]

I agree with your observation . I lived in several foreign countries in Europe and have noted this trend of using increasingly English than the local language ( I believe the Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries are even more affected by this than Germany). It is a process which cannot be stopped in an increasingly globalised and interconnected world. As a German, I think it is good that we embrace the use of English as it can facilitate attracting highly skilled immigration. However, nobody will truly be able to be part of German society if someone wishes to become so without knowing German. I don’t blame anyone on choosing the easiest path of just not learning it. I myself struggled on learning Danish when living in Copenhagen. But I still tried because I never wanted to be just a foreigner. I wanted to become a local as much as possible. I believe that learning the local or any other language will give you just such a major advantage in anything. It really is a key opener, and when you have it, it is really satisfying.

[daolso]

Thanks for the effort! Some people want simple answers, reality is complex... Keep it up! :)

[cloudyskies]

Thanks for this. I am a native English speaker hoping to move to a German-speaking country in the near future. I've already lived in a German-speaking country before, for five years, and loved it. I've passed the B1 and hope to have passed at least the B2 by the time I move back.

Inevitably where I move will depend on what kind of visa I can get and what I am doing for work, but I am grateful for both sides of this issue. I am excited to move somewhere and get the chance to practice my German, especially since for an introvert like me, my reading skills are much higher than my speaking skills. And I also am excited that there is more English. It's a fun time to travel the world and live in other places and I hope to get the chance to once more. <3 Thanks for your content.

[MultiBurger]

German should always be first in Germany, without exceptions.

[nejdro]

We Americans are often criticized for being monoglots. If we are to learn a second language, which should it be? Why should I learn German when most Germans have some knowledge of English, and a large percentage are fairly fluent in English.
That being said, when I was sent to Germany by the U.S. Military in 1962, the first thing I did was to enroll in German classes. I went on to get my degree in German, along with a German wife for 50 years. Unfortunately, I have no natural ability for foreign languages, but I have never regretted the many hours I spent learning German by rote. My years spent in Germany were a turning point for my whole life. It may not have brought economic gain, but it enriched my life greatly.

[Krmplc]

As an immigrant from Ukraine with the career in marketing I have to say that the chances to get a job in such a competitive job market without speaking German are very low. I invested all my time (at least 1, 5 years) into learning the German is fast as possible, but my B2 level was not enough in most cases when I was looking for a position. I've crammed further and recently took C1 exam just so that in case I need to look for another job I have better prospects. I'm currently working in a huge agency with offices all around the world, but my team is completely German speaking. They have nothing but praise for my not so great German skills, but I wouldn't expect that from my clients as well.
Oh! And I also work in Cologne but live in a town 10 km away, and there you can't get by without German: be it in the doctors office, in the restaurant or the bakery.

[alansmith]

There should be German pride in both Germany and the German language; (Goethe, Schiller, Heine, Mann, Hesse...) English as a second official language would be a terrible idea. The reasons I like to visit countries such as Italy, France, Spain and... Germany is because of the unique cultural heritage these countries have to offer and this includes their languages

[avifrancis]

Definitely learn German if you want to live in Germany. It's not to be considered optional. You cannot and should not expect everyone to understand English. There might be many reasons locals might not speak English like poverty, access, etc. If you don't respect others then get ready to face consequences.

[yissarivero]

HI!! 😊I came across this channel by chance because I am learning English (I have a beginner level- maybe A2 or B1(?)-), but I am practicing my listening skills. I noticed two great things in this video that aren’t necessarily related to the topic you talked about, but I’d like to share them with you😊😊:

1. A few years ago, I started learning German because I wanted to live there, but I eventually moved to Spain. However, I still want to learn the language and plan to do so once I have a strong command of English.

2. Despite my beginner level of English, I have noticed that I can understand you quite well (at least the main idea). I would like to point out that you have excellent diction, you articulate your words clearly, and you speak at a pace that is easy to follow. This makes it much easier to not only grasp what you're saying but fully understand the message you're communicating.😊🤗

Great job💪