Learning German Through Immersion: Week 2

For the first two weeks we had German classes 4 days a week; 1 hour on Monday and Wednesday in addition to 2 hours on Tuesday on Thursday. It was intense but effective. I quickly learned numbers this week, especially considering I turned 21 - einundzwanzig. In class, we focused more on conjugating verbs: regular, irregular, and modal. Luckily the German language only has one verb tense as opposed to the various forms of past, present, and future tense utilized in other languages. Additionally, our professor held simple conversations with us individually and challenged us to piece together sentences with words printed on pieces of paper. I'm amazed at how easy it is to pick up a language when the pressure is low and the immersion is consistent, it feels natural.

This week we spent 4 days in Vienna for a group excursion. We were given an assignment asking us to figure out some Viennese slang words by asking locals - so local in fact that they don't show up in Google searches. Conversationally I'm most comfortable during restaurant interactions. Most notably I ordered pasta, pizza, bratwursts, Sachertortes gelato, and kleiner brauners. I did run into a situation where I ordered pizza in German and he misunderstood bUT I didn't know how to convey my explanation in German so I had to switch to English - he looked shocked so I'll take that as a compliment.

Usually, I just say "Sprechen Sie Englisch?" when I get confused and switch to English but it does get a bit frustrating. Language acquisition is hard. It's only been two weeks but I want to be fluent. If anything this experience has just reaffirmed my passion for languages. I want to be multilingual so bad.

Phrases Learned:

German	English (Literal)
Entschuldigung, ich habe eine Frage...	Excuse me, I have a question...
Was ist... auf Deutsch?	What is... in German?
Ich suche ein Geschenk für meine Mutter.	I search a gift for my mother.
Hast du ein Haustier?	Have you a pet?
Können Sie das wiederholen?	Can you that repeat?
Ich weiẞ (nicht).	I know (not).
Ich verstehe (nicht).	I understand (not).
Ich lerne Deutsch.	I learn German.
Ich spreche ein bisschen Deutsch.	I speak a little German.
Die Rechnung bitte!	The check please!
Wie viel kostet das?	How much cost that?
Können wir getrennt zahlen?	Can we separate pay?
Es gibt viele Museen in Wien.	Is there many museums in Vienna.
Mir gefällt die Kaffeehaus-Kultur in Wien.	I like the coffee house culture in Vienna.
Kann ich bitte die Speisekarte haben?	Can I please the menu have?
Kennst du hier ein günstiges Restaurant?	Know you here a cheap restaurant?
Ich finde die Geschichte interessant.	I find the history interesting.
Magst du Kunst?	Like you art?