Learning German, TV shows, and other questions

[wkilleffer]

Good evening everyone,

Recently, I discovered a German TV show titled Alarm Für Cobra 11- Die Autobahnpolizei. The gist of the show is that it follows the day-to-day work of a fictional two-man team of Autobahn police in the Nord Rhine area of Germany. In my opinion, it is a pretty high-quality program that is at least as good as anything in a similar genre shown here in the US. One of the men has used a sharp Mercedes-Benz in dark blue as his undercover car, and it is equipped with a manual transmission. Things like that and the 911 police cars practically have me hooked.


There is just one minor problem... I cannot speak German. Occasionally, I hear bits and pieces of dialog and think I know what they mean, but there is no way to know for sure. A dubbed or sub-titled version of the show may be out there, but that does not seem appealing because sub-titles can be distracting, and dubbing comes off awkward to me. To really know what is going on, I may have to learn some German.


For those of you out there who may have learned German, how did you do it?


Now, I took French in high school and enjoyed it well enough, and we spoke French exclusively in class from day one. It was tough, but eventually we all seemed to get it, at least on some level. Try learning a language like French or German that way outside of school here in the American South... Most folks around here seem almost proud to be mono-lingual. I recently started teaching an adult education class for those preparing to take the GED, and there is at least one German lady in the class. I am tempted to ask for her help, but I do not want to do anything that might seem inappropriate.


All this leads to another question: since I already know some French, are there any cop action/drama shows out there from France? Or, for that matter, any good French TV shows that can be found online?


Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.


Thanks,
-William

 

[Guest]

Took German in college from an Austrian politician who was a jerk. Not very political which may explain how he wound up teaching german in a college. Didn't learn much other than Austrian politicians arn't very political. So, it's not that hard. A lot of English words are based off German ones but it's easier for me to read than understand.

I'd ask die Frau for help.

 

[NutmegCT]

Gruss William! Es gibt *nur* eine Weg! Ihr deutsche Studentin ist die Antwort!

(Greetings William! There's only one way! Your German student is the answer!)

Ask her if she knows anyone who would volunteer to spend an hour a week in conversation, immersing you into the German language.

The only way I could learn German, French, Italian, Spanish, etc. was to read some books and immediately find someone who spoke the language. Especially if you're interested in understanding the vernacular German on the TV show - you have to hear the language as it's spoken - not as it's presented on tapes and CDs. The books and CDs will get you started, but you need human interaction to really learn the language.

Here's a link to some German Web TV:

https://german.about.com/library/blsattv.htm

And some French Web TV:

https://french.about.com/od/tv/French_and_Francophone_Television_Stations_Watch_French_TV.htm

Viel Gluck!
Tom

 

[JPSmit]

there is also the software - rosetta stone etc, but, the Internet truly is your friend - I googled German Lessons and these were just two choices

https://german.about.com/od/onlinecourses/a/An-Online-German-Course.htm

BTW Cudos for a) wanting to learn a new language (especially as an adult - I am struggling too) and b) for wanting to learn a language for a TV show - that's hardcore! :eagerness:

 

[martx-5]

Both of my parents came from Germany when they were young, and both spoke English and German fluently along with all of my Grandparents. As a result, I constantly heard German while growing up. I also took German in high school, but alas, I've forgotten most of it. The one thing about German is that there are pretty strict rules for pronunciation, as opposed to French, where the written word bears no resemblance to how it's pronounced. For example, in German a word with "i" before "e", ("ie") would be pronounced "e" as in sweet. Whereas "e" before "i" ("ei") would be pronounced as "i" as in swipe.

Therefore, Dr. Frankentein is pronounced as Frankenstine, not Frankensteen as Gene Wilder insists.

 

[waltesefalcon]

I learned some in High school, I understand hearing it alot better than I speak it, and I read it better than I understand the spoken word. That said I do enjoy German dubbed reruns of Bonanza, and watching Das Boat in german.

 

[Steve]

Www.duolingom.com is a free language learning website. Worth a try, I should think.

 

[martx-5]

... and watching Das Boat in german.

I have the directors copy of Das Boot, and can watch the extended version or the regular one in either English or German. If you don't know any German, and watch it in German, you will lose very little of what's happening. For me, that movie ranks up there as one of the best ever made.

 

[Guest]

Therefore, Dr. Frankentein is pronounced as Frankenstine, not Frankensteen as Gene Wilder insists.

That has more to do with Mel Brooks being Jewish than any interpitation of the German language. :wink:

 

[NutmegCT]

I have the directors copy of Das Boot, and can watch the extended version or the regular one in either English or German. If you don't know any German, and watch it in German, you will lose very little of what's happening. For me, that movie ranks up there as one of the best ever made.

Agree! And the last scene, where the Captain dies alongside his dying boat - excellent.

 

[Guest]

Agree! And the last scene, where the Captain dies alongside his dying boat - excellent.

Is that girl in the Netflix spolier commercial a relative? :highly_amused:

 

[martx-5]

That has more to do with Mel Brooks being Jewish than any interpitation of the German language. :wink:

Yeah, just like that Jewish physicist by the name of Albert Eensteen.

 

[Bayless]

IIRC Wilder did get the pronunciation right at the end. Maybe it had something to do with exposure to the lovely Teri Garr