Embracing Language Barriers Optimistically|| German as a Foreign Language with Memes

Dealing with language barriers is not easy. Sometimes, it gets to the extent where it can feel more than just frustrating, most especially if the person who you're talking to has repeated a statement for the nth time already and you still don't get it. Rings a bell to you? Then let's tap each other's back because I feel you. lol!

When somebody explains something for the third time and I still don't have any idea about it.

credits: Pinterest, BuzzFeed.de

If someone says that the German Language is easy, then more often than not, it is a hoax. To tell you honestly, the listening drills that we had in the language course were helpful in a way but it's still totally different when you arrive in Germany and get to be in an actual conversation with the locals. It makes you feel like, darn! Where did all my vocabs go? It's like treasure hunting in a chocolate factory. You know that you can only find chocolates but you still keep searching for what's not there.

But wait! There's more. All nouns in German have a gender. Would you believe that a skirt which is typically worn by females is classified as a male while the testes is gendered as female in the German grammar? Now, I'm wishing you and I luck in this language. Hold tight buddy, lol!

credits: 9gag.com , Pinterest

These are just a few of the countless challenges that an expat working and living here in Germany may experience.

But I'd still like to say that it's not as grueling as the others think it is, most especially for those whose second language is English. Why? It's because the English language has its roots in the Germanic languages. Imagine its difficulty level when the German language was derived from Mandarin? I mean, there's really still something to be optimistic about in learning this language and striving to be better at it, right?

Our number one enemy in further learning this language is none other than our way of thinking. If you always think it's hopeless or you're always stuck in the idea that it can NEVER get easy, then it'll remain that way. But if you focus on the things that you CAN do to improve, then you're way closer to success.

The thought of having no choice at all but to keep learning the language because you need it is also a great motivator. You just have to include it in your hierarchy of needs. lol

credits to: verywell website

edited by: yours truly

During my first day at work, I had the opportunity to listen to the endorsement or the turnover report of the A.M. shift nurses to the P.M. shift nurses and while I was listening, I already felt like booking a ticket back to my home country, lol! I can still vividly recall how uncomfortable that was for me hearing all the medical terms in German. For me not to look awkward, I pretended I was writing something which may sound like what I heard, not knowing exactly what those were, lol!

credits: langsandculture.com

I'm thinking, maybe without me being able to just laugh at my dumbness, I would now probably be having the hardest time in my life ever. What fuels me to keep going as well are my greatest WHYs. I keep reminded by the goals I set before. I am kept stronger by my desire to help my family financially. I am kept motivated by the need to be able to communicate effectively to my patients and colleagues so that I can always be of help and service to them.

credits: boredpanda.com

For those who are already here and are also having a hard time due to language barriers, always keep in mind, that you are fortunate enough to be given the chance to learn a foreign language because you get to view life in a new way and perspective. It's a wonderful opportunity not given to everyone. Gratitude always keeps learning easier.

And for those who are planning to work and live here, keep learning everyday. My number one tip would be (I know that I'm not qualified to give a tip but this is a fact that I myself have proven to be effective to make learning German less hard): Learn the foundations of the German grammar by heart and NOT just through memorization. Stay curious all the time. As much as possible, figure out by yourself first why a certain sentence structure was formed that way and not "this" way before asking others questions.

credits to: MOSAlingua

Staying optimistic can sometimes be very hard especially if you feel like you're also giving your best in learning the language. But you should also take into consideration that maybe, it's still NOT the best you've got. Maybe, there's STILL something you can do. Maybe you are being too hard on yourself that it already leads to burnout. Take a breather and don't forget to celebrate even just small progress.

Accepting the fact that being good at a foreign language does not happen overnight makes you think of other possible ways to be better at it. We are so lucky to live in a generation where we can just learn almost anything in the internet. The good news is: The best resources for learning are always free, most especially if you are already in the country speaking the language you are learning. German/Deutsch is everywhere here..in newspapers, flyers, banners, walls, restaurant menu, food labels, endless forms to fill out, etc. Yeah, it's literally everywhere so again, the only limit is your mind or your way of thinking.

Another thing about dealing with language barriers is that you think that studying is enough. I'm afraid it isn't. I mean that idea is a NO brainer but I'd just like to mention it so that we will all be kept reminded as well. Having language partners to speak the language with gives you so much drive and optimism because when you get to practice speaking it, you get to also assess yourself and there's just no better way of learning it than to ALWAYS speak it and having someone to correct your mistakes. "What if I don't have a language partner?" That's a very common question. The answer is very simple. Then find one. If there's a will and you're that eager, there's always a way, right?

Ok, take a deep breath and hear me out on this. lol! Story time. There's a time when I came inside our patients' room (one of the patients is known to be demanding and belittling) and they asked me something which I did not understand after having it repeated thrice. They then stared at each other and started laughing hard. I laughed hard as well. lol! I did not feel humiliated at all. I don't know why but maybe it's just my way of handling that situation at that time. I just thought that I made them happy even if it made a fool out of me. After all, if you can not beat them, then why not just join them? lol! Well, for them, I hope they had a hard time figuring out why I also laughed with them. HAHA

In conclusion, the journey to bettering yourself can be such a bumpy and crooked road...in regard to this matter, learning German or any foreign language. But you know for sure, that it's all gonna be worth it in the end. It all depends on YOU, It's either you intoxicate your life through complaining how hard it is everyday or you choose to stay motivated and optimistic despite the odds and act on your goals.

You and I CAN do this. Manifest. Hustle. Keep rising and trying after a failure. Keep praying. Keep learning. As Steve Jobs said, "Stay hungry. Stay foolish."

credits to: Good housekeeping