Why German

When I tell people back home in America that I am learning German, the first thing I inevitably here is a resounding, „Why?“. The question, of course, is completely understandable. I mean, learning a language is a huge undertaking that requires many hours and months of dedication. Plus, most young Germans and Austrians speak English very well, and I will likely never be in a situation where I absolutely have to speak German to get by. For me, however, becoming fluent in German is a necessity in its own way.

Language is one of the biggest components of human culture, and to integrate into a society demands that I speak the language. I could order a drink at a bar or ask for directions in English, and the person helping me would (probably) be able to fully understand my request. But by asking in German I feel like I belong here and I don’t stick out like a sore thumb with an overly abrasive American accent. And for me, the feeling that I belong here in Vienna as much as I do back home in America is worth all the vocabulary flashcards and grammar exercises in the world.

So sure, my friends in back home are right: learning a language is a lot of work, and I most likely won’t find myself in a life or death situation where I need to speak German. But despite all of that, I am still 100% dedicated to becoming a fluent German Speaker; maybe with the help of the Deutsch Akademie I will manage to do exactly that.