Trying to contact RON KLARIN

[Damion]

guru-666 wrote:
most germans also speak english.  I can read and write german, but I urge you to write him in english, just because there is a huge chance that he can understand you.  He may have decided to make his site in german, becasue he lives in germany?....

(in stark contrast to the few americans that can speak anything other than "american"...)

Hey all,

Don't mean to resurrect this thread with almost entirely o/t subject matter... but in regard to the above "side discussion".... My brother is in Munich right now... he speaks a bit of German (most Germans are at least very appreciative of his effort), but the idea that "most Germans" speak English is a myth. he has encountered *very few* Germans that speak English well enough to converse, making things like renting a Motorcycle difficult. Anyhow, if you travel to Europe, make sure you've studied up enough language to accomplish whatever it is you intend to do... betting on the locals to speak English is a bad idea, it's simply a matter of chance. (Interestingly, he seems to think he encountered far more English speakers in Turkey than in Germany, LOL.)

cheers

Damion


 

[Ral-Clan]

My brother is in Munich right now... he speaks a bit of German (most Germans are at least very appreciative of his effort), but the idea that "most Germans" speak English is a myth. he has encountered *very few* Germans that speak English well enough to converse...

You're brother sounds like the considerate type who makes an effort to communicate in the local language instead of expecting English.

On the other hand, I have also heard stories of Americans travelling in Europe (sometimes acting very brash with big Stars & Stripes pasted across their jackets).  In this case some of the local people who actually understand English very well fiegn ignorance.

Happened to a friend of mine who was travelling in France.  He doesn't speak French very well.  Went into a small pub and nobody spoke English there.  When he finally explained he was Canadian, they were all very welcoming and had a lovely conversation with him --- in English!  :lol:

[Tomas]

I think the younger generation speaks more English, but i have meet older germans on my vacations to Spain and they are either stubborn or dont know English at all. There was even someone who loudly complained in a currency exchange bank, because they did not speak in German and the German couple refused to communicate in English. :-o
Odd how they expect people in Spain to speak German when they are simply visitors in the country.
I think the main problem with some european countries like Germany is the fact that they dub the tv. In countries where they air the tv in original language the people also seem to generally have a much better understanding of English even though both countries have English lessons in public schools.

I myself learned 90% of it from watching American tv and playing video games.

[Damion]

ral-can wrote:

You're brother sounds like the considerate type who makes an effort to communicate in the local language instead of expecting English.

Thanks! Yeah, he's (usually, lol) a pretty thoughtful guy. It does help that we spent time learning German from some of our family... basic things like hotels, restaurants, or asking for directions are fine. Other things like having to fill out paperwork for a vehicle rental can still be a challenge, though.

On the other hand, I have also heard stories of Americans travelling in Europe (sometimes acting very brash with big Stars & Stripes pasted across their jackets). In this case some of the local people who actually understand English very well fiegn ignorance.

A friend of mine is like that. He thought France "sucked" because a restaurant he dined at didn't have an "American menu" -- and by this he didn't mean an English menu, but a menu specifically with American food. He didn't understand why they were "short" with him after he had expressed his annoyance about the menu... :shrug:

Happened to a friend of mine who was travelling in France. He doesn't speak French very well. Went into a small pub and nobody spoke English there. When he finally explained he was Canadian, they were all very welcoming and had a lovely conversation with him --- in English!

LOL, that's a good one. :-)



Tomas wrote:

 I think the younger generation speaks more English, but i have meet older germans on my vacations to Spain and they are either stubborn or dont know English at all. There was even someone who loudly complained in a currency exchange bank, because they did not speak in German and the German couple refused to communicate in English.
Odd how they expect people in Spain to speak German when they are simply visitors in the country.
I think the main problem with some european countries like Germany is the fact that they dub the tv. In countries where they air the tv in original language the people also seem to generally have a much better understanding of English even though both countries have English lessons in public schools.

I myself learned 90% of it from watching American tv and playing video games.

Yeah, I've met quite a few stodgy old Germans myself. Funny thing (similar to ral-clan's example above), once you throw out even the smallest bit of German (a simple greeting will do), their faces brighten up, and all of a sudden they're very friendly! Happened to me on more than one occasion. Even my own great-grandfather was more interested in me after my grandmother taught me a few simple things to say. He was absolutely thrilled that his long-lost American relatives were learning a little German. (BTW, I ended up learning a decent amount from watching movies... Das Boot and Wings of Desire are a few that come to mind. Still two of my favorites.)


cheers


Damion
 

[da9000]

Just to chip in: I believed for years the whole dubbed-vs-subtitled movies, and I'm glad to hear reaffirmation of the same from those in other countries (Netherlands, Norway, etc). One other source that's usually underestimated is of course video games! (as mentioned by our Norwegian friend). All foreign gamers speak considerably better English than non-gamers.

English is becoming the lingua franca, just like Latin was before that, and Greek before that.

Any guesses on which one will be the next one?

My guess is going to Chinese, with second some dialect from India.

Cheers!