The year has probably been a great learning experience for many of you, at least, it was one for me. Every day we learn something new, may it be a word or another cultural aspect of a people whose country is still foreign to us.
One of the most important aspects in any country is to understand its customs and traditions, and over the year I attempted to get some insight into this. Germany is a great nation with a greater variety of culture than anyone of us can ever imagine. A deep and profound history shaped by its people.
Many of you wondered and asked whether I still speak the German language. Yes, I still do, and I do it on a daily basis with my family. My mother thought that is was important to speak German to remember our root, no matter where we find ourselves resident.
Although I’m a native speaker of German it, hence, takes me a great deal to write in German because I speak English most of the time, since it is the only language everyone outside my house understands and speaks, but with some training and persistence I am fluent in both languages.
Before moving to the USA I lived several years in the Netherlands, being enforced to learn this language at a young age and by the time I was in my teens I was already learning English. As you might have noticed, learning a language is basically dependent on both ones own will and the giving surroundings. Actually, learning German is not more difficult than learning other languages. The best way to start off and improve your knowledge and skills is to simply start using the language whenever you have the chance, for example, start a conversation with native speakers of German you’ll meet by chance or look for new friends on the Internet and meet the Germans online.
I still truly believe that it is necessary to keep an open mind for a nation’s history, culture, and its people because this has shaped the language. So, don’t cut yourself off so soon when you find yourself faced with a more or less outlandish German culture. Take your time to get to know German customs and quirks, and I’ll promise that you will find out that Germans are very caring and reliable people.
With my departure, I’d like to wish you all the best in learning the German language and everything that comes with it.
(Mit meiner Abreise, möchte ich Euch/Ihnen gerne alles Gute für das Lernen der deutschen Sprache wünschen und alles, was dazu gehört.)
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
( Ein Fröhliches Weihnachten und ein schönes Neues Jahr! )
Servus!
Sandra van Hoek.
