Typisch Deutsch? [antikvár]

Preface for Students Learning a language is much more than studying grammar and vocabulary, learning how to ask for directions, how to read a train schedule or reading and interpreting literature; it is also learning about what makes people "tick" - and not just those that speak the language you study. What makes people "tick" is influenced by many variables; their sex, their socio-economic history and present circumstance, their cultural background, and, of course, many individual factors. This is not the place to discuss which of these is the most important and influential variable. All the above factors are interacting at all times. In the context of the language classroom, however, cultural background is the one to examine most closely. Anybody who has travelled abroad or been in close contact with people from another culture (in person or even in literature) has had encounters of the cross-cultural kind. Do you remember wondering about that German exchange student always closing the door to her/his room which you thought was quite rude, while she/he was just doing what's considered normal and polite at home? And your surprise when you came to Germany, and people seemed much more in touch with their regional rather than their national origin? And how all that made you think about yourself? Such is the journey this book would like to take you on. It presupposes a solid basic command of the language and your participation. Without you - and your class' - input it won't work; it is not a "listen, this is how it is" kind of book. There are seldom "right" and "wrong" answers. Exploring the many issues raised, you will not only improve your cultural understanding, but also your linguistic abilities; in short, your communication skills. Typisch deutsch? offers a wide range of authentic materials - newspaper articles, interviews, cartoons, poems, encyclopedia definitions, photographs, ads, statistics, letters, excerpts from longer literary texts etc. - discussing a variety of topics: besides German-American communication and stereotyping, the concepts of private i^s. public (think of the closed doors issue), and of space (remember German regionalism) are explored. You'll think about friendship, city planning, the environment - to name just a few of the very real topics you will find under those seemingly dry headings. This book asks many questions. Looking for answers, you're bound to learn not only about Germans, but also about yourself. Maybe that is even more important.