Is "German is not a practical language" a Correct Expression?
When considering the English phrase 'German is not a practical language,' we encounter a situation where the grammatical correctness of the sentence is unquestionable, yet its interpretive implications are murky and often misleading. This article aims to clarify the meaning, relevance, and practicality of learning the German language through a detailed exploration.
Grammatical Correctness vs. Idiomatic Interpretation
The phrase 'German is not a practical language' is grammatically correct. However, it can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations. The term 'practical' in English often implies something that is useful, efficient, or easily learned. In the context of language learning, this might suggest that German is inconvenient or difficult to learn. This could be misleading, as German speakers would more likely say, 'Deutsch ist schwer,' which means 'German is difficult.'
Idiom and Cultural Nuances
Consider an Austrian poem known to many of my generation, those born in the mid-1970s, which provides a delightful example of German phonetic playfulness:
Deutsch ist schwer.
Das kann ich beweisen, bitte sehr:
Herr Maus heit zum Beispiel Muserich.
Herr Laus aber keineswegs Luserich.
Herr Ziege heit Bocknaber Herr Fliege nicht Flock.
Frau Hahn heit Hennenaber Frau Schwan nicht Schwenne.
Frau Pferd heit Stuten
Frau Truthahn Puten
und vom Schwein die Frau nheit Sau.
Translation:
Learning German is hard.
And I can prove it, if you please:
For example, Herr Maus is Muserich.
But not every Herr Laus is Luserich.
Herr Ziege is Bocknaber, and not every Herr Fliege is Flock.
Frau Hahn is Hennenaber, not every Frau Schwan is Schwenne.
Frau Pferd is Stuten
Frau Truthahn is Puten
and the Alsation’s wife is Sau.
This poem relies heavily on phonetic wordplay, which makes it nearly impossible to translate directly. This emphasizes the complexity and cultural nuances involved in the German language, far beyond what a single phrase can convey.
The Aim of Language Learning
The purpose of a language is to facilitate communication. All extant languages on earth (approximately 6,800) are intended to enable people to share knowledge and express themselves. It is important to clarify what 'not practical' means in the context of learning German. You may mean that German is not relevant because it is not needed or will never be needed. Another reason could be the impression that German is too complicated to learn.
Challenges in Learning German
Learning German involves a myriad of challenges, from verb conjugations and tenses to case declensions and subordinate clauses. For instance, you must consider whether the verb is strong or weak, transitive or intransitive, always followed by a certain declension, dependent on the function of the word group, and if it requires the Indicativ or the Konjunktiv I or II, with the latter having its own forms. This can quickly become overwhelming:
Oops you need a subclause here that in English simply begins with 'from whom'... von wem dessen wessen deren GRRRR!
A noun is needed: is it der Mauer or die Mauer, or das Mauer? Help, I’ll need an adjective: das schnes Mdchen, das schne Mdchen… Mdchen should be female but it’s neuter. Germans are wacko!
By then, you're on the verge of a linguistic psychosis. Nevertheless, you must decide whether the sentence is for school homework, professional reasons, or personal interest. If it is for school, you could soften it and write:
Ich plane eine Karriere in GB/in den Vereinigten Staaten/in den USA. Daher ist Deutsch lernen für mich wenig relevant.
OR
Ich wünsche eine Arbeitsplatz wo man englisch spricht und wofür man keine Fremdsprachen kennen soll.
OR
Heute spricht fast jeder englisch und darum macht es für mich wenig Sinn Deutsch zu studieren.
These formulations are more effective both in conveying the intended message and in avoiding the misleading connotations of the original phrase.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the phrase 'German is not a practical language' is grammatically correct, it can be misleading and is not typically an expression one would hear among native German speakers. Instead, a more nuanced and clear statement would better convey your intended meaning. Understanding the complexities of language learning and the cultural implications of the German language is crucial for a more accurate and effective communication experience.