Ok so i should of said the way you read it, it is different how you pronounce it, when i was learning German, and first got some books i tried to read some words in German, and it came out all wrong (well so my partner told me)
.. .----. -- / -.-. --- -. ..-. ..- ... . -.. / ... - .. .-.. .-.. .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- .- .-.. .-.. / .. / ... . . / .- .-. . / -.. --- - ... / .- -. -.. / -.. .- ... .... . ... .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.-
__________________________
- .... . .-. . .----. ... / .- .-.. .-- .- -.-- ... / -- --- -. . -.-- / .. -. / - .... . / -... .- -. .- -. .- / ... - .- -. -..
This is not a complaint, the fact that nobody spoke German I mean, but a fact that I was in a different country and that I had to adapt. There are dictionaries and they were invented for a specific reason. Moving to a different country I believe one should be aware that there will be a different language spoken and should be prepared to learn it. I agree that English is “the” language to be spoken, certainly helps in many ways of life and these days I believe that, especially young people, do speak English almost everywhere. I know of many people that have been in a different country for years and never learn the local language, not even the most basic things to have a simple conversation just for the fact that there are English speaking people everywhere and these are the people they stick around with. Sure, it is everyones own decision to learn or not learn the local language but if one has no interest in learning, at least don’t complain and blame the “natives”. I feel that it is a bit pretentious, if I may say so, to expect the local people always having to accommodate the non locals.
If I went to a new country and the local people did everything to accommodate my culture and language and make me feel at home, I might as well have stayed at home. It would completely defeat most of the point of going to a new country. Well, unless your point in going to anew country is simply to earn more money. But then you hardly need any social interaction if that is your main priority, do you?
Bad word choice...good catch. This forum is typically well mannered. I'm sure you're aware of others that are not. They tend to be the ones that are not visited as regularly.
Good luck to Tweener in heeding the cart loads of advice that have been offered today.
To all the people that say that I should make some effort to learn German, I can assure them that I'm doing it...But I'm not able to learn it by listening to people who speak fast, simply because I'm not even able to discerne the single words...
To all the people who told me that I should show a little respect for my new country, I can assure them that I show much respect for it, and even by Swiss standards I usually respect the rules in an ever stricter way than the average Swiss, because I know that I'm a guest, so I must be even better than the hosts in this new home...
Well after the sandblasting you got I can understand you want this thread closed. But before that, I'd like to make a couple of remarks and a book recommendation.
First off, having lunch in a group bigger than 3 or 4 almost automatically engenders a group dynamic where the language of the majority is spoken.
It's nothing personal, just that the people want to keep the conversation flowing nicely.
As a consequence, try to go to lunch with 2 or 3 Swissies, like that it's easier to interject "hey guys, I didn't just get the joke/point. Please, I want a laugh too" etc. Bring it jokingly, and they're happy to explain. Ask how a particular expression goes or what a specific word means.
Secondly, in a smaller group, you can pull the conversation to your side. But obviously, you need something to tell, like the fun you had over the weekend (ask what specific key words are in SG). Ask them to help you tell the thing in SG.
Then, given you're a book-oriented learner, get a copy of " Hoi - Your Swiss German Survival Guide ". It's really good. Available at Orell Füssli's English outlet on Bahnhofstrasse 70.
Good luck, and don't despair , or worse, let hate poison your outlook.
I don't really think it's fair at all to expect them to speak English.
If you intend any kind of normal socialising you simply have to learn the language.
trowel
Thanks for sharing!
Btw - can only recommend those comics, they DO show some of our everyday quirks...