Why to Learn German
Posted on December 10, 2009
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German is spoken by 100 million people worldwide, and is a respected language in business, the sciences, and the arts. Did you know, for example, that German is the most used language on the Internet, after English?
There are many reasons and benefits to learning German. There are many cultural and historical reasons to visit Germany, and German speaking countries like Switzerland or Austria. Oktoberfest and Bavaria are only two of many well known destinations or events. While those spring to most peoples’ minds first, just think about all the other superb events and locations that are associated with Germany
German is easier to learn for English speakers, due to the origins of each language, which share similar paths. Words like professor, kindergarten and hamburger are German words which have been adopted into English. Be careful however, because not all words which appear the same have the same meaning.
Historically, and to the present day, Germany is a huge publisher. Germany publishes one out of every ten books in the world. As an innovative nation, it is at the leading edge of technology, and ranks third in the world for patent applications. While German is not close to being one of the world’s biggest countries, it has let the world in exports in most recent years.
All work and no play…. While it is true that Germans are hard working, there is another side to them also. And it is, but Germans also enjoy six weeks of vacation per year, and they are the largest spenders of tourist dollars. Accordingly, there is no part of the world where you will not come across German speakers.
In European terms, German is the most prevalent language. For those who learn it, there is a certain prestige, as it is perceived as more difficult to learn than other European languages. This is something of a myth, especially since the spelling reform in 1998, a government mandated initiative which significantly reduced the number of spelling and grammar rules governing the language.
But at the same time, the Germans are a very precise race, and are less likely to show patience for bad pronunciation and lack of vocabulary – not because of any bad feeling, simply because they value precision and exactness very highly.
Beer and Lederhosen, while they jump to mind, are a needle in the haystack of German culture. Germany has a vast and rich cultural heritage. Some of the world’s greatest thinkers, such as Freud and Einstein, were German. Many of the most respected classical composers throughout history came from Germany also. Learning German exposes one to the inside track on German culture and history.
It is easier today to learn German than in the past. n the first place, it is much less complicated than it was thanks to the rule changes of 1998. Second, there are many well-developed on line programs which make grasping basic German and then expanding it very achievable.
The author operates a language website, and you are invited to review his Learning German recommendations. Also, feel free to enroll for a FREE 6-Day German On Line Course.
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