Blog Post #2

Blog Post #2 

Cultural Markers

    Most people believe that German is one of the rudest languages both to the ear and when spoken directly to another person. Even though German has endless words that just keep getting longer and more specific, it sounds harsh as if all the long words are there to swear at another person.

   I completely disagree with this, even though my German isn't flawless, I have experienced both ends as someone who doesn't understand German and someone who slowly started speaking it. I am aware that the language itself when spoken can come harsh or rather rude to the ear, but the only reason that occurs is because the language is so precise that it becomes either scary or impossible to speak and write. But once one has been exposed to  high amounts of German the dialect itself becomes rather fluent, soft and beautiful because the person can really understand how the language is structured. 

   As I was learning German one of the biggest difficulties I had was the pronunciation. Yes it is a very hard language to learn, it's hard because it is extremely precise and can have many grammatically impossible expectations of the non-native speaker, which can be overwhelming. In this language there will be no time were question marks are left in the other persons head because each word specifically calls to one and only one meaning. 

   Another misconception people have about Germans is that they are rude. This links back to the use of language sometimes being too straight forward can cause discomfort or cause the other person to get offended over a comment that was not ill-willed but too specific and honest for their liking.

   If these two misconceptions were to be overcome by those who do not understand German the communication between different cultures won't be any difficulty. Due to the less offence taken by one side leading up to causing a conflict. Not only that but Germans were culturally raised to use language very properly and correctly therefore if people know about these aspects, even if they speak in another language they will not get offended by their straight forwardness and honesty.

Sincerely,
Aurora Sera Unal