A word of caution, the comics are texted in both Swiss German and High German.
I like Züri by Mike. Prefer to buy the books instead of searching the strip of the week in Züritipp. (Same goes for the other comic of Tages-Anzeiger, the daily Eva.)
Hello Tweener,
They are doing you a favor. The only words you will recognize are the ones you learn. It is hard work but it is worth it. Don ́t expect too much of yourself at first but spend a little time each evening learning words and gramatics. If you learn 5 words per day, in 1 year you will have more than 1800 words in your vocabulary.
I started learning at 42 and if I can do it anyone can!
Press in and good luck!
Wendypunkt
Two thoughts that occurred to me:
Even as a Swiss German living in Zürich, I don't take it as a given that all social conversations around me are in a language I can understand. I used to go to an Italian hairdresser, and now I go to a Tunisian one, and as soon as they had at least one countryman to speak to, the conversation in the store would be in their native language. I never found this threatening or rude, and in fact I found it amusing to try to follow the conversation (a bit more successfully in Italian, than now in a heavily Arabic-flavored French). I often find that English native speakers assert a kind of aggressive monolingualism that would not be expected in Swiss people of a comparable socio-economic background. Sure, there are Swiss who expect the whole world to speak German, even when in a foreign country, but they are generally excused as being elderly/rural/ignorant/all of the above. I'd expect a Swiss person capable of using the internet to understand that if they are among speakers of a foreign language, the onus to understand and to make themselves understood is on them. So it does not seem unreasonable to me to expect the same of a foreign language native speaker.
...especially if those "speakers of a foreign language" happen to be in their own country.
Hello,I understand how you might feel... its totally normal to feel bad for not understanding a conversation when you ́re stuck in there... and yes it can be very frustrating because you want to be part of the conversation, and aside from the fact that they are in their own Country and obviously dont have to speak any other language that is not german(...) I find that behavior somewhat rude.
That happened to me before and what I can recommend is something very simple: dont take it too personal and the next time just ask questions in english to them; let them know that you want to take part of the conversation, and I am sure they will understand and will make you part of the conversation too; almost everyone who works in an international company understand and speak english so I dont think that this might represent a big effort to them.
Good luck
I actually had the opposite problem during my first couple of years in Switzerland. People addressed me in High German and I would much have preferred them to speak Swiss German so I could improve my skills. It still happens quite a bit but less than before.
Then there's my experience, in which some of my Swiss friends insisted on conversing with me in English, though I was trying to converse with them in High German. (I suppose in fairness I could have sounded so pathetic that they were extending mercy... )
Possible but keep on crucifying them it's the only way forward.
I actually had relatives who were willing to fill that role at the time, so I didn't mind following my friends' lead in conversation.
IMO, communication is grossly over-rated . Not being able to understand the language when I first arrived, taught me how to see people much better. I learnt that alot of what people tell you is exagerated, concocted or just blantant lies, but people can hardly fake body language. Use this time to develope your observation skills .
I know what you mean but you can't build relationships on body language alone. And unless you can communicate verbally you can't exchange information with someone. I'm not denying observation is important, but not being able to communicate verbally is a road to frustration and isolation.
I tried this and it work OK, well for me at least, maybe he wanted a little more banter.
The relationship didn't quite make it but it was only after we started to understand each other that it all went pear-shaped.[quote=Nev;304248]I know what you mean but you can't build relationships on body language alone. quote]
It's called "spracheschule." Sign up or shut up...
Except body language also varies across cultures. If an Italian starts waving his hands in your face, he's showing enthusiasm for the discussion. If an Englishman does it , it's Marquis of Queensbury.
dave
It took years for me to get a good enough grip on the lingo to join in on the discussions around the table. By that time I was quite good at understanding body language, to the point where I had to force myself to join in verbally rather than just sitting back watching.
Body language is far more subtle than hand gesticulations, but because we rely so much on our ears, we rarely notice.
yeah in Asians shaking head might mean yes! I have seen many Europeans getting confused.
this is only true for indians, pakistanis, bangladeshis etc. even then, its not exactly "shaking head" as is commonly understood. its more like a " wobble ."
when chinese, japanese, koreans etc shake their head, they mean no.
but when japanese say "yes" it may mean something else.
wow, I really wish people would speak more German/Swiss German around me. I actually have to ask them to stop speaking English most of the time. I'm fining the Swiss love to show off the English, and love to practice it. But I learn by hearing and repeating, and I want to practice too.
(of course, I fully understand the frustration of learning the language here. It's definitely Babel sometimes)
Thanks Fraueli. The one really positive thing on this whole thread that wasnt aimed at belittling.
bravo.
Absolutely. If you want languages that take leaps and bounds of imagination between the written and spoken, try english .
German and italian are great. Very Consistent. French somewhat less so but far far better than english.