Why German is not popular here?

réponse   Sun May 10, 2009 5:19 pm GMT
You're an idiot.


I don't think. We are not compatriots
Guest   Sun May 10, 2009 5:48 pm GMT
>German's stronhold is Central and East Europe.<

No, not anymore. Forget it. It's still present but English has won a long time ago, Spanish is coming strong and even French is becoming fashionable again.
This is absolutely false and obsolete
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Knowledge_German_EU_map.png
Guest   Sun May 10, 2009 6:58 pm GMT
Hola.Me he apuntado en la escuela de idiomas al alemán. Las lenguas romance son todas una puta mierda, y yo ya sé una, así que me doy por servido. Como ya sé inglés también, la siguiente en utilidad es el alemán. Creo que he elegido bien.
fraz   Sun May 10, 2009 10:56 pm GMT
German is still an important language in countries like Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic but its standing is being eroded by English. But there are still areas in Eastern Europe where German is the best language for a foreigner to get around with.
tseug   Mon May 11, 2009 12:21 am GMT
Yes german is important. If you want to be a perfect nazi learn shitty german
Guest   Mon May 11, 2009 2:11 am GMT
<<Yes german is important. If you want to be a perfect nazi learn shitty german >>

This comment and mindset behind it are stupid. German language has no direct association with Nazis, only Nazis to Germany many years ago. Tell this to a Switzerlander, to an Austrian.

To make such judgments is based on ignorance. Like "Vive la France!"
Stan   Mon May 11, 2009 6:55 am GMT
Brennus had a lot to do with the current situation.
encore   Mon May 11, 2009 7:24 am GMT
<<tseug Mon May 11, 2009 12:21 am GMT
Yes german is important. If you want to be a perfect nazi learn shitty german >>

Mr. Moderator, delete insulting comments,please.
fraz   Mon May 11, 2009 8:20 am GMT
German may be rooted in Europe but its presence on the world stage is assured due to the sheer weight of the German economy. Knowledge of languages like German and Japanese certainly give you an advantage in business. German also has a strong presence in the tourist trade and those who can communicate to Germans in their own tongue will always attract more business.
a demotivator   Mon May 11, 2009 8:48 am GMT
But who the fuck learns a language because you can have a slightly higher chance to do business in it. It's not like you're guaranteed a job? Why the fuck would they hire an English speaker who speaks German crappily when there are thousands of GERMAN candidates who are FLUENT in both languages which they have spoken since childhood? How many English speakers learn German from childhood? EVERYONE in Germany knows English, at least anyone who does the kind of business which would be in the sights of someone who learns German for business. So save your time!

Seriously, business is not a reason to learn a language. If you're lucky it may help, but far from always and far from the extent they claim. You are MUCH better off to take extra classes in BUSINESS than languages, or mathematics and computer programming depending on your specialisation, or even on improving your ENGLISH so you can speak English as well as the Germans. These will go a LONG way further than half-assed knowledge of German that you will never use.
rep   Mon May 11, 2009 9:55 am GMT
<<Seriously, business is not a reason to learn a language. If you're lucky it may help, but far from always and far from the extent they claim. You are MUCH better off to take extra classes in BUSINESS than languages, or mathematics and computer programming depending on your specialisation...>>
Tell it to the French people.
fraz   Mon May 11, 2009 10:04 am GMT
There are millions of people in Europe who throw themselves into foreign language learning because it dramatically increases their chance of employment. Small trading nations like Sweden, Holland and Denmark have historically had to master other languages in order to survive. Parents (and society in general) expect the young people to acquire this skill.

Obviously English is now the dominant international language, but don't underestimate the importance of German or French.

It is rather naive to cliam that EVERYBODY in Germany knows English. Many millions struggle on a scale that ranges from zero comprehension to broken school English. Large companies will certainly hire people who can speak English to near-native level but that still leaves a raft of medium-sized firms who might not be so well-equipped linguistically. And of course it's a proven fact that people always look favourably upon deals concluded in their native tongue, or dialect if both parties share the same language in the first place.


Throughout human history, people have actively learned languages because of the commercial advantage it gives them. The other main reason would be social acceptance.

So don't diss the Deutsch!
a demotivator   Mon May 11, 2009 10:55 am GMT
<<It is rather naive to cliam that EVERYBODY in Germany knows English. Many millions struggle on a scale that ranges from zero comprehension to broken school English. Large companies will certainly hire people who can speak English to near-native level but that still leaves a raft of medium-sized firms who might not be so well-equipped linguistically. And of course it's a proven fact that people always look favourably upon deals concluded in their native tongue, or dialect if both parties share the same language in the first place. >>


Тhey may be important A LITTLE, but they are DEFINITELY second tier to actual BUSINESS SKILLS. It's a bonus, but not worth the effort is all I'm saying. For example, a business graduate with a minor in MANAGEMENT or FINANCE will have more bonuses than one that has a minor in German (especially because in English speaking countries a minor pretty much means you don't speak it for shit).
Rox   Mon May 11, 2009 11:08 am GMT
>Throughout human history, people have actively learned languages because of the commercial advantage it gives them. The other main reason would be social acceptance.

Or simply because a person wants to learn a language. Period. No "advantages", no "acceptance" etc.
These "useful"-language thing is a strange fixed idea in some people.
If someone is learning a language spoken by few people is because "utility"?
There are people who like to learn languages just becuase they like or for cultural reasons or as a challenge with themselves
encore   Mon May 11, 2009 11:11 am GMT
a demotivator,go to East Germany area near Polish border (or to rural area of Austria) and try to get a job without German language skills.