Language

I%26#39;m a non-German speaker travelling alone in Berlin. While I will make every effort (please, thank you, hello etc), I just dont have it!!!!!

Are the locals generally ok with speaking to you in English and are announcements / signs in airports and city centre displayed in English ?

I%26#39;m sure I am not the first non-German speaker to visit Berlin but I am a little anxious particularly travelling alone. I dont want to die of starvation or thrist because I dont know how to order a beer or sandiwch in German!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Many people in Germany, especially younger people, speak good to excellent English. You will get along. Just don%26#39;t take for granted that everybody does.

P.S. (*written with a twinkle*) The German word for beer is %26quot;Bier%26quot;, and the pronunciation is about the same as in English. Just as wine/Wein. We don%26#39;t want our visitors to die of thirst...

%26quot;Sandwich%26quot; is also widely understood. The best sandwiches or rolls for a cheap price can be obtained in bakeries - there the food is on display behind the counter, so if in doubt just point.

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For eating, why not take a cheap German-English traveler%26#39;s dictionary. Although some restaurant menus may also be in English, for some things it might help to double check with your dictionary. (I can always remember an experience in Austria years ago trying to get mustard when I couldn%26#39;t remember the word in German, and even after explaining what I wanted in German, not getting it. It%26#39;s now one German word I%26#39;ll never forget!) And for dining, I always think one of the best things is to observe what people are eating nearby, and if it looks good, order the same.

I had another unfortunately incident after moving to Germany a few years ago, I looked at the beer list on the menu, and then ordered a Radler which I took to be a brand of beer. It%26#39;s a beer mixed with a lemon drink (British shandy). There%26#39;s nothing wrong with it, but it wasn%26#39;t what I wanted!

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Hello redser99,

Germany is my favourite holiday location. My experience of German people is 100% positive. They have been more than friendly and helpful. Most speak better English than us and if the person you approch in a shop or restaurant ect has a problem with speaking English they will usally get another member of staff who will deal with you.

Signs, ticket machines ect usally are in English or have a touch screen to get English info.

In restaurants just ask if they have a tourist menu. We also find it handy to eat in Chineese, Indian, Mexican and Italian restaurants as the menu is the same in every country. Or just take a chance and point. It is only food. Beer is understood by everyone, except by a waiter in Spain who gave me a cup of tea.

Its a great country with very friendly helpful people. Enjoy your trip.

Regards,

Supervanman.

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BlandineForberg haha %26quot;We don%26#39;t want our visitors to die of thirst%26quot; And they say the Germans don%26#39;t have a sense of humour%26quot;

But on the subject. German people will speak German with you to your level. I went over for a two weeks and I came back almost fluent by chatting to the staff in a couple of my fav bars and listening to German rock and metal music. I did have a GCSE in German from school i must add.

Unlike Holland where they look at you like an Alien if you try to speak Dutch.

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And in Austria they think they are being nice speaking English to you when you try to speak German and want to practise. I had a real complex about it in my early years of learning German. A friend in the UK who went to German classes was also warned about that in Austria (she went skiing there). Later on I just kept speaking German as I was confident about my level. That experience never happened to the same extent in Germany.

However our experience in Berlin (basically my husband%26#39;s as he has no German) is that you can%26#39;t take it for granted that people will understand you when you speak English, much less so than in western Germany where he was used to launching into English and getting a reply.

I%26#39;d say definitely get a phrase-book to translate the menu. Labelling in museums normally includes some English.

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To be honest basic German is pretty easy to learn and from there you progress to forming sentences etc, and supervanman we coudln%26#39;t agree with you more my friend, Germany is a superb country to visit and the German people are very friendly and helpfull indeed, we really enjoy there company in the Brauhaus%26#39;s etc and we look forward to our next trip to Germany which is to Bremen in April.

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Don%26#39;t worry about it. I am the same as you basically my German doesn%26#39;t exist and I love Berlin! Ive never had any problems most people are happy to help even if they don%26#39;t speak English they are still nice. I managed to furnish a flat successfully in Berlin with only hello and please under my belt.

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Please leave a barrier of language behind. Tho we don%26#39;t speak good English, we would try our best to help you :)

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I%26#39;d agree with the other posters here - worry not about your level of German. Mine was very poor when I visited Berlin last year but everyone was very understanding and many spoke excellent English. They were also very patient when I chewed up their language trying to ask for things, and would often smile and encourage me.

Remember if you%26#39;re really struggling, just say, %26quot;Sprechen Sie Englisch?%26quot; If they answer %26quot;ja%26quot; or even %26quot;ein bisschen%26quot; (a little), you%26#39;ll be able to speak to them in English without much trouble.

Enjoy your visit!

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«And in Austria they think they are being nice speaking English to you when you try to speak German and want to practise.»

:)) Yes, I know the feeling and it%26#39;s a bit frustrating, even though they%26#39;re only trying to help. This happened a lot to me on my first trip to Berlin. Apparently, my language skills have improved, because it didn%26#39;t happen again on my second, third and fourth trip to Germany.