Quote:We can't speak in code, anyone can copy and paste into Google Translate and read what we're saying. 

 

Ich habe bereits begonnen, Deutsch zu lernen.

 

My wife is from Taiwan, so I tried learning Mandarin Chinese.  I got a little way, but it was difficult.   Our travels led me to learn a little Italian and a little French.  In Italy, they all want to speak English with you.  I finally encountered a little old lady in Rome who knew no English and managed to have a small, very basic conversation with her.  She was very nice.  

 

In France, they will happily speak English with you if you butcher a little French first.  They seem to find that very amusing.  But if you lead off by yakking at them in English, they turn up their nose at you.  I think they're all sick of the Brits coming over and acting like everyone should know English. Yes, I blame the Brits.  

 

German is about the easiest language I've ever tried.  It's closely related to English.  I think you probably just need to refresh it a little and you'd pick it right back up. 

 

Where did you live in Germany? 

Yes, I believe you are right. Many words are similar. And I probably will pick it up pretty easily. I was able to read the German you wrote without having to look it up, but I still did just in case. :-)

 

I lived in Stuttgart. A beautiful city. Even though it was over a decade ago now, I remember it as if I was there just yesterday. I miss it. I loved getting on a train and ending up somewhere because we closed our eyes and put a finger on a map and said, "Let's go!" 

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