I would love to visit Germany but wondering if an English speaking American could cope?

Question

Or should I bring my translation book

Answer 1

I've been traveling around Europe (based in London) for a few months now, and most places that I've been (primarily big cities and tourist attractions), people speak English well enough (or, well enough for you to buy something from them!). There are lots of Americans in big cities like Berlin and Munich, so speaking English will easily get you through. And the Germans are usually happy to get to practice their English (unlike the Italians ;) )

However, I always like to know at least a few basic phrases of the language, wherever I am going. You'll still end up speaking English, but you'll understand street signs, building names, and food menus a little better!

Answer 2

Like everyone else said.....If you make an effort most German people will speak to you in

English. The older Germans do not know as much english but the younger ones definietly do. I lived in Wildflecken, and in Munchen (Munich) for a year and 3 months. I knew minimal German but it was fine.

Answer 3

My husband and I lived in Deutschland for two years and found that almost everyone under about 25 speaks at least a little English, and often very good English. It's a required school subject. A beginner class got me very far, and helped me to lose my fear of the language's complexity--I'd highly recommend it. In Germany German classes are often offered through the "Volksschulen".

A fantastic translating tool is LEO:

http://dict.leo.org/

If you're a fan of eating (and who isn't?) I'd highly recommend "The Hungry Traveler Germany" to help you find the best preparations for Pfifferlinge and Spargel!

http://www.amazon.com/Hungry-Traveler-Ge...

I would recommend this strongly as opposed to a book (although it's hard to carry around!). Some neat phrases to have under your belt would be:

Gröss Gott (esentially "Good Day")

Guten Abend (Good Evening)

Tschuess (Goodbye)

Bitte (Please)

Danke (Thank you)

and

Entschuldigen Sie (Excuse me)

OOPS! Also:

Ein grosse bier bitte (A big beer please)

and

Noch ein mal bitte (Another one please)

Generally the feeling towards Americans is still quite warm, and folks are warm and happy and willing to help. (And choose Bayern (Bavaria) for the warmest!) I miss mein Deutschland! Have fun und ein Prosit!

Answer 4

Take a look bikers only on yahoo search you my like what you see . and a lot of German`s speak English .

Answer 5

My wife ( an American ) says: She should bring her book.

I think so too. Many Germans have some basic English knowledge, but they are afraid to talk English.

Answer 6

Yes, but it's better to at least learn a few phrases.

The real killer over here isn't the language barrier.  It's the culture.  Europeans are VERY different from Americans.  For example, if you saw an elderly lady waiting for the same bus you were waiting for, in the rain, you'd offer her your umbrella, right?  I mean, I would.  Don't try that in Germany.  European people value their space too much (except for when they're driving, lol).

Another thing is, when you go to a restaurant, you have to ASK for the bill.  Try saying it in German, and you'll earn a smile ("Bringen sie mir die rechnung, bitte.").  When tipping, round up to the next euro ONLY.  It's an insult to them to tip them as much as you would in the U.S.

Also, stores in the smaller towns (and sometimes in the larger ones) have weird hours.  They close for lunch (mittagessen), usually for about two hours, and usually close BY 8.  At the latest.

Most of the restaurants in larger towns (or near American military bases) will have a menu in English, or have English translations under the German.  Depending on where you're planning to go, you may want to have a translation book handy, or try to learn the names of various foods.

If you come, make sure you try some kind of rahmschnitzel.  It's schnitzel in creamy sauce, and it's SO good!  If you're a beer drinker, request dunkells (it's a dark beer), or kristallweisse.  If you're a wine drinker, you HAVE to try the eiswein.

Do try to learn a little bit of German, though.  At least be able to greet them ("Hallo, guten morgen/tag/abend, wie geht es Ihnen?"), DEFINITELY learn how to say you're lost ("Ich habe mich verfahren!"), directions (left is "links", right is "rechts", straight ahead is "geradeaus"), and two helpful phrases when you're shopping (the second is especially for antique markets) are:  "Wieviel kostet das?" (How much does that cost?) and "Zu fiel!" (Too much!).  Sometimes at antique markets, you can haggle.

Also, there are two kinds of German spoken over here (or at least as far as I've seen, there may be more).  Mainly, in western Germany you'll find that they speak a "softer" German.  "Ich" is pronounced "ish" rather than the harsher "Ickh."  The number twenty (zwanzig) is pronounced tsvantsish instead of tsvantsickh.  In southern Germany (near Munich), you'll find the "harsher" German, which for some reason is easier for me to understand.

Anything else you need to know, just ask.  I've been living in Germany for the last three years, and I'm American.  I can be reached through email on here, or at [e-mail].  Viel glück!

Answer 7

Before visiting, I would take a basic class in German...preferably Berlitz so that you can speak and listen more.  There are just too many situations that can arise and knowing AND understanding key phrases without thumbing through a translation book is essential.

Answer 8

I'm sure a translation book would help, but my friend just got back from Germany and he only knew how to say: "I don't speak German, do you know English?".  He said he managed pretty well with that until he left the main cities and started to get into the countryside.  Then he resorted to using gestures and facial expressions, etc. and he said even then it wasn't a big problem.

Answer 9

Nearly everybody in germany has a small understanding of the english language.If you learn a few phrases such as ..Bitte,Danke,Guten Tag and so on you should be fine.And as we do learn english in school from the age of 7 or 8 you should´nt really have that many difficulties.

Enjoy your stay over here.

Greetings from germany.:-)

Answer 10

You''ll be fine. But it would be a good idea to bring the book and to learn some basic phrases.

Answer 11

Germans learn english in school and can generally speak it by age 12.

Answer 12

A lot of germans can understand english, maybe just learn a few simple phrases, such as "sprechen sie englisch?" , peolpe are more receptive if you at least make a little effort

Answer 13

Kengoller, I wonder who told you that Germans are afraid to talk English - probably some older people are. However, German students now even start to learn English already in their first year at school. In the past (the last 60 years!) most of them started at the age of 10 or 11.

Yes, it would be polite to know at least some basic phrases but almost every teenager or middle-aged adult in medium to larger cities will be able to help you with directions or else. In rural areas it may be a little more difficult.

Enjoy your trip!

Answer 14

A lot of the Germans learn English in school now a days. Learning another language is a requirement and a lot pick English, but may not be too good at it. I would surely bring a translation book with you.

Answer 15

How many times will this question be asked again?

I`m trying to cut it quite short:

Every people in the world is happy if you speak a few phrases in their language. Wherever you travel, a translation book (a small one!) may be useful. Wherever you go, you'll find people with different manners and different ways of life. (If that weren't so, you could stay at home as well, because that's why you travel, to see their ways.)

Now you must know that I'm a German, and I'm answering questions about my language (from learners) on this board as precisely as possible, and I think my German is pretty good. You must also know that most Germans don't speak even their native language correctly, and neither do they expect it from you. And you must also know that most Germans speak English to some extent. At least, you won't need a translation book in most cases.

So, in short, you're welcome. Always.

(btw, Greece is a member state of Europe. I've been there once and neither can read the script nor speak their language. It was a great holiday.)

Answer 16

Yes you will be fine there, the people are great, and even the old people know a few words in English.  I had two older ladies both give me a key to their house, and they both kept repeating the few words of English they knew: take my grandson home to America.  Relax and have a good time.

Answer 17

Bring your translation book and not because you can not find people there that speak English that is easy.

It is just rather polite for you to try and speak their language when you are there as best you can as often as you can. You should know from the States how annoying it is when someone just starts talking to you in a foreign language.

So learn a few phrases and words to get you by, such as Hallo, sprechen Sie English bitte? Ich nicht sprechen Deutsch und moechste hilfe.  That says Hi do you speal English please, I do not speak German and I would like your help.

Thats how i started out 19 years ago now i speak it rather well having learned living there.

So my advice is learn as much as you can retain and practise. You will get better receptions from people there if you do!!

Answer 18

Learn some basics to help you out. Definitely bring the book!

In my experience most Germans are really helpful and friendly,as long as you are. You shouldn't have too much problems coping with the trip. Go and enjoy one of the most beautiful and clean countries in the world!

Answer 19

Hey you,

I'm sure could cope but you also can bring your translation book ... Maybe that would be safer ;-)

Here in Germany are many people that can speak or understand English.(Me for example,my English isn't so well,but I think you'll understand the most ;))

I'm sure that you'd have no problems here :)

Which places or cities do you wanna visit ?!

For example "Mainz" is a beautiful city ;-)

Or Wiesbaden,Frankfurt etc. ...

I'd love when you send me an e-mail because I'm interested to go to the USA ,so if you want to,we could send mails to each other =)

My E-Mail : [e-mail]

Bye bye :-)

Maria