Why vowe.net is half German and half English
by Volker Weber
Also, how come your Blackberry review was in German & the iPhone review was in English? How do you decide?
I get this question a lot, and I am going to reply to it in English.
I write most of my posts in English since I have many friends who do not understand German. Not a bit of German. On the other hand, many of my readers do understand English or at least a bit of English. As a general rule, I comment in the same language as the text I am referring to. Since the BlackBerry post relates to another text and a video in German, I use German. The iPhone post does not relate to any German post, so it gives me the opportunity to write in English.
Often there is no decision process. Text just comes out in either language. Of course my German is way better than my English, but I think my English is good enough to make myself clear.
When I say I get this question a lot, then I mean from people who do not understand German. Those who understand both German and English just read in either language. From my FAQ:
"I would like to comment, but my English is terrible."
Write a comment. I don't care if your English is terrible. It will only get better if you use it. If you can express yourself better in German, then use German. I understand both. Don't be concerned that others might not be able to understand German. They can learn if they want.
Comments
Of course I prefer the posts in English, although it is not my mother language. But those in German are a good excercise in understanding the German language. Often with the help of translation software, sometimes giving funny sentences. But it is good enough to understand the most important things.
Ludwig, you appear to be from Belgium, where everybody speaks at least four languages.
Well, this is a little bit exagerrated...
grammar police:
If you can better express yourself in German
-->
If you can express yourself better in German
Fixed. Would you mind reading the whole thing playing the Grammar Nazi and then mail me the results? Kaizen.
A good point well made Volker. I also enjoy grappling with the German posts, please keep up the good work.
In other news, I think someone needs to buy himself one of these...
http://www.moretvicar.com/collection/the-daily-mash-gifts-things/product/i-am-amazing-mug
:)
SB
"I think my English is good enough to make myself clear."
Your English writing is more clear and concise than most native English speakers.
And this native English speaker is now very embarassed to notice that I forgot the apostrophe at the end of "speakers". :-)
Sie schreiben Englisch sehr klar ... Ausgezeichnet!
