AMD 2 Graham Techler

The Awful German Language Response:

This Mark Twain article seemed geared directly towards those of us in class who are picking up German for the first time, and are sometimes overwhelmed by its complexities. It was reassuring to know that we're not crazy, and German can just be a little difficult to wrap our heads around. I guess all the best satirists do this to a certain extent, and Twain is a master here. Even elements of learning German that apply to most languages initially are still spot on. For example:
"...when at last he thinks he has captured a rule which offers firm ground to take a rest on amid the general rage and turmoil of the ten parts of speech, he turns over the page and reads, "Let the pupil make careful note of the following exceptions." He runs his eye down and finds that there are more exceptions to the rule than instances of it."

I specifically love what he does while talking about the specificity and eccentricities of learning German genders. For me, genders have often seemed counter intuitive and confusing, and Twain sums this up perfectly by saying that "In German, a young lady has no sex, while a turnip has."

But the best part of this essay is that Twain's fundamental enjoyment of and respect for German shines through. It never slides into being mean spirited or over the top, but instead remains good natured ribbing throughout. 

Kultur 2 Graham Techler

This reading was pretty funny and interesting in that it very honestly and deliberately took us out of our perspective: which is (at least for me) limited to American customs and notions of politeness. I've noticed from friends of mine who are British and Irish that blunt honesty is the norm there, and so these facts about Germany do fit with the idea that frankness is a very European custom. But many people in China would consider American conversation pretty frank and or rude, so I guess its all a matter of perspective.
The staring thing was also very interesting. Another example of how whats uncomfortable and rude on one side of the Ocean is the norm on the other.

Kultur 2

After reading these four articles, I've gotten a better understanding and more perspective on German culture. I would have never have guessed that complaining was so prevalent in the German culture. From what I glean from the article, it is almost habit for a German to complain.

In addition to the complaining, Germans also have a problem with staring. Growing up in the United States, we were always reminded to never stare because it is very rude, but in Germany staring seems to be a common gesture among strangers. The article explains that everyone in Germany has a habit of staring. Neighbors watch you from their houses and strangers stare you down at the train station; your personal experiences aren't as personal in Germany.

To add to the staring, Germans are also awfully blunt. Germans don't find any need to lie, although what they say may come off rude to us Americans. Personally I find that this bluntness to be more appropriate. Why is it necessary to lie? Many people prefer a nice and complementary opinion, but for me I prefer someone be honest with me, rather then making me believe in a lie. Honestly, it may be hurtful, but if I can't get over it then I shouldn't have asked in the first place.

Lastly, I feel as if the statistics article may not be only exclusive to the German culture. I feel as if I ask many statistic related questions if I have no idea either. I have a need to compare the cities that I have never heard of with other ones to get a feel for how large and populated they are.

Kultur 2- Abilene Emerson

So from this collection of articles, I imagine that Germans are outspoken pessimists who are well-versed on the culture and system of their land and others because they all stalk each other and watch documentaries…. Interesting.

I honestly don’t see the pessimist views as a unique culture identity for Germany. I frequently find from personal experience, the local and national news, and from television that every country has something to whine about. Whether it’s pollution and an unfair government in Russia, poverty in South Asia, and military spending in America, every country has many critical issues that are made prominent across the globe. (http://www.globalissues.org/). I mean just look http://www.amazon.com/Complaint-Free-World-Complaining-Enjoying/dp/0770436390, Will Bowen even wrote a book to help alleviate the global complaints. And of course, to a varying degree, each country shares similar issues. Pollution, violence and wars aren't centralized in one area of the world

 If Germany is such a networking country who claims to know the statistics of all other countries, isn’t it ironic that a recent German resident would have this exclusive view of a negative German culture? It’s rather apparent that all countries share common global crisis and are as equally guilty of complaining. And quite honestly, since German’s seem to watch each other’s every move, isn’t it better to be verbal and active about what concerns them? They have an audience. They might as well advocate for themselves and bring the crisis to the public eye. 

Kultur 2

I found all of the articles very interesting, especially the one titled "The German National Pastime: Whining, Bitching and Moaning". This one hit close to home because it seems that American culture is headed in the same direction, if not already as bad.

"The most popular complaint is that everything in Germany is simply going downhill -- everything is getting worse and worse."

I hear this complaint everywhere, especially from older generations. Whether its complaining about the younger generation's way of life, the government, or the economy. Most of the time the complaints are usually followed by "things aren't the way they used to be". Which is true. Cultures and societies change and adapt over time. Its just a way of life. Sometimes things can get a bit worse before they get better. But in the end, we find solutions and we move on.

Of course its just not older generation doing all the complaining. People my age tend to complain just as much. MWireless cuts out for 30 seconds, complain. Athletic department makes football seating general admission, complain. Landmark hot tub is broken, complain...then go straight to Rick's. 

I also found the article "By the Numbers: An Obsession with Statistics" interesting.  Being an engineer, I too love statistics and the the concept of quantifying everything. I have always thought of Germany being a country known for its engineering ability. The fact that Germans love to quantify things is no surprise to me. This just makes me more excited to visit Germany someday.

Kultur 2

After reading “The German National Pastime: Whining, Bitching and Moaning” I found it pretty funny and accurate.  I lived in Berlin for the majority of this past summer.  I know that the U-bahn is one of the best in the world with being on time and efficient.  However, after living there for a couple months it got to the point where I too would start to complain if a train didn’t show up on time.  Some of my German friends would definitely complain about the tinniest things, and always joke about the “infamous German efficiency” to me whenever someone was late or something didn’t go quite as well as expected.    

In the article “Brutally Honest: Have you Gained Weight?” I really have to agree with the title of the article.  Especially the part of “yes means yes and no means no.”  When I was visiting my old host family for a weekend they offered to pay for day passes with the public transportation, and I immediately asked “oh are you sure? I can pay.”  They looked at me like I was crazy and proceed to pay for the tickets.  This was relatively early in my trip and was still getting accustomed to the German culture.  Within a few weeks I picked up pretty quickly that when someone said “yes” or “no” they meant that.

In “The Germanic Stare Down: Watcha Lookin’ at Granny?”  I somewhat agree with the article.  In Berlin I wasn’t stared at all that much, but every city I visited I was scrutinized.  I feel like I wasn’t stared at as much in Berlin since it’s an international city, and there are people who look very different from everywhere else in Germany.  It was only when I went to the smaller cities, where everyone knows everyone, that I was completely stared at.  Many would just ‘know’ that I was from elsewhere.  Many couldn’t place it, and some even asked me (funny enough, they guessed England).  One of my aunts, who lives in Germany (and is from Canada originally) complains (I guess she’s more German if she’s complaining, eh?) about the fact that she is stared at all the time, even though she has lived in Germany for years, with a home, family and everything.  It makes sense when thinking about the history of Germany and it being split into two countries.  The communist side must have had no freedom to do anything with everyone acting as ‘big brother’ to everyone else.  It’s understandable too that it’s the elderly who do the staring, not the younger generations, since they are from that time period.

Kultur2

Although each article was entertaining in its own way, the one that I enjoyed and stood out to me the most was "Brutally Honest: 'Have You Gained Weight?'" This article explained a major difference between American and German culture. People complain and stare in America, but they do not say exactly what they feel in order to protect other peoples' feelings.

It is interesting that here in the United States we are obligated to be 'polite'. That means we do not always say exactly what we are thinking in hopes to avoid hurting someone's feelings. It strikes me as odd, though, because most people I know would prefer to be told the truth. I can't tell you how many times I've said "We should hang out sometime!" with no intention of actually following through with what I had just said. The article brings up an instance like this, saying "Personal invitations of all kinds are to be taken at face value." In Germany, if I told someone that we should hang out, I would actually end up hanging out with them.

I do not know why we have such an issue here in the United States with telling people how we actually feel, but I think that if Americans adopted the "brutally honest" policy that Germany has, social interactions would improve. Nobody likes being deceived or lied to, and eliminating the need to please others by what is said would eradicate the majority of fluff in our conversations and in turn, our lives.

Straight to the Point

Nach Ich lesen die Kultur texts, Ich möchte Amerikaners sein noch mehr like der Deutsches in gewisser  Hinschit. I möchte wirklich Spaß noch mehr direkt Kommunikation. Gesellschaftliche Zusammenkünfte könnte sein sehr leicht dolmetschen, weil sie dolmetschen nicht. Ich finde der Betrag von klagen sein vergleichbar mit einige Leute. Ich starre nicht gern, aber Ich könne Respekt es. Manchmal sehr gut sein neugierig. Ich weiße nicht die Statistik irgendein. Ich finde nicht sie interessant. 

Ich bin nicht Deutsche. Mein Onkel ist Deutscher, und wohnt Brussels eine Weile. Ich know viele Leute ver Deutsche so. Die Universität in Deutschland ist interessant. Unglücklicherweise, Ich meine nicht Ich werden studieren im Ausland.

What I meant to say above if I didn't say it right:
After I reading the Kultur texts, I would like Americans to be more like the Germans in some ways. I would really enjoy more direct communication. Social situations would be much easier to interpret, because they wouldn't require interpretation. I find the amount of complaining described to be comparable to some people. The staring I don't like, but I can respect it. Sometimes its good to be nosy. I don't know statistics at all. I don't find them interesting.

I am not German. My uncle is German, and lived in Brussels for awhile. I know many people who are also German. The universities in Germany are interesting. Unfortunately, I don't think I will study abroad.

Willkommen!!

Welcome to our class blog!

We will be using this blog throughout the semester for two kinds of assignments:

1. Once per chapter, the homework plan will direct you to post a response to the culture readings for the chapter on the blog.

2. Roughly every other week, the homework plan will direct you to post here for your Abenteuer mit Deutsch (AMD) assignment. First you do a fun activity that involves German, then you post about it. You should spend an hour total on this (maybe 45-55 minutes doing something, 5-15 minutes posting about it). See Was ist ein AMD, AMD Ideen and Beispiele for ideas. This should get you excited about the kinds of things you can do!

Whenever you post something, please include your name and the name of the assignment (e.g. AMD2, Kultur5) as labels. See "Blog: How To" for more details!