Welcome to our class blog!
We will be using this blog throughout the semester for two kinds of assignments:
1. Once per chapter, the homework plan will direct you to post a response to the culture readings for the chapter on the blog.
2. Roughly every other week, the homework plan will direct you to post here for your Abenteuer mit Deutsch (AMD) assignment. First you do a fun activity that involves German, then you post about it. You should spend an hour total on this (maybe 45-55 minutes doing something, 5-15 minutes posting about it). See Was ist ein AMD, AMD Ideen and Beispiele for ideas. This should get you excited about the kinds of things you can do!
Whenever you post something, please include your name and the name of the assignment (e.g. AMD2, Kultur5) as labels. See "Blog: How To" for more details!
Posts mit dem Label Kultur1 werden angezeigt. Alle Posts anzeigen
Posts mit dem Label Kultur1 werden angezeigt. Alle Posts anzeigen
Mittwoch, 29. Januar 2014
Donnerstag, 23. Januar 2014
Kultur 7, Yuntao Chen
English words are in italic font.
This week's Kultur readings compose of a wide range of topics, ranging from American food in Germany to the introductions of two of the most famous German cities -- Stuttgart and Munich. There are a couple of articles that particularly caught my attention.
The first one is titled "What Discipline? Of German lines and Pythons". It said that people would not necessarily follow a line in a lot of conditions, and would cut the line if you do not respond promptly. I am not sure whether the author of this article was being sarcastic or not, because it is fairly difficult for me to imagine that in a country like Germany where order is considered to be paramount such behaviors will be tolerated. It is very contradictory to the image that I had for German people. I guess the truth will only reveal itself when I set foot on Germany one day.
The other interesting reading materials come form the book "365 Dinge". It is in the format of a guide book, but it is different because of its concise descriptions and broad coverage of topics. Some of the things that I picked out from the first 70 things are: ,,Essen im Dunkeln: Nocti Vagus", ,,Mit dem 100-er Bus gefahren sein", ,,Kollhoff-Tower: Berlin von oben", ,,Zum Diplom von der Bierakademie" und ,,Zur Stille im Brandenburger Tor". I am looking forward to discovering more things to do in and around Berlin.
Kapitel 7 Kultur
After reading all of the Kapitel 7 Kultur texts, I became more cultivated in German culture. All of the readings were informative and added to my understanding and prospective of German culture.
The first link was to a website titled "USA kulinarisch" (http://www.usa-kulinarisch.de/). After browsing through and reading (or at least attempting to read) the articles, I recognized a common theme amongst them. All of the posts were about American holidays--Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween-- or about treats that are common in the US. Most of the text within the articles consisted of how to prepare certain meals or foods. I am actually surprised that Germans want to learn how to cook and prepare American foods in the first place. In the US we do not really go out of our way to make cuisines that are not already part of our culture (for instance: beer, sausages, breads, pretzels, etc). Overall, I found these articles to be very enlightening (and it's a good practice for reading German).
The next link was to an article titled "What Discipline? Of German Lines and Pythons." Reading this article really help me grasp an important part of German culture. Who knew that lines could be such a big issue in Germany. The article makes everyone in Germany seem like they are incredibly impatient as it explains how people creep up in lines and cut ahead or how they take the opportunity to go when you are not paying attention. The article states "Finally, keep in mind that Germans have grown up with such non-lines and you need to watch out for everybody. While the worst offenders tend to be impatient middle-aged men, you also have to watch out for old ladies who can be quite shameless in their queue-jumping." I can only assume that the urge to get ahead in lines is part of the German culture, which is reasonable. I mean, who really likes waiting in lines?
The last part of the assignment was to read some sections from the book 365 Dinge. Some of them were interesting and fun, while others seem like a waste of time. For instance, skydiving and paintballing seem rather fun, while listening to underwater music seems like a complete waste of time. But although some of the ideas seem a bit absurd, the book is a fun read overall.
The first link was to a website titled "USA kulinarisch" (http://www.usa-kulinarisch.de/). After browsing through and reading (or at least attempting to read) the articles, I recognized a common theme amongst them. All of the posts were about American holidays--Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween-- or about treats that are common in the US. Most of the text within the articles consisted of how to prepare certain meals or foods. I am actually surprised that Germans want to learn how to cook and prepare American foods in the first place. In the US we do not really go out of our way to make cuisines that are not already part of our culture (for instance: beer, sausages, breads, pretzels, etc). Overall, I found these articles to be very enlightening (and it's a good practice for reading German).
The next link was to an article titled "What Discipline? Of German Lines and Pythons." Reading this article really help me grasp an important part of German culture. Who knew that lines could be such a big issue in Germany. The article makes everyone in Germany seem like they are incredibly impatient as it explains how people creep up in lines and cut ahead or how they take the opportunity to go when you are not paying attention. The article states "Finally, keep in mind that Germans have grown up with such non-lines and you need to watch out for everybody. While the worst offenders tend to be impatient middle-aged men, you also have to watch out for old ladies who can be quite shameless in their queue-jumping." I can only assume that the urge to get ahead in lines is part of the German culture, which is reasonable. I mean, who really likes waiting in lines?
The last part of the assignment was to read some sections from the book 365 Dinge. Some of them were interesting and fun, while others seem like a waste of time. For instance, skydiving and paintballing seem rather fun, while listening to underwater music seems like a complete waste of time. But although some of the ideas seem a bit absurd, the book is a fun read overall.
Mittwoch, 22. Januar 2014
"US-Cupcakes", keine Ordnung, usw.
Für Kultur1-Kapitel 7, lese ich erste über "US-Cupcakes" in Produkttest: “Süßer-Zauber”-Cupcakes. Ich finde viel Sätze, dass ich verstanden habe. Ich finde die Satz "Und jeder hat “nur” um die 160 Kalorien" sehr lustig. Ich denke die Autor(in?) denkt Amerikaners mollig sein. Der Artikel beschriebt zwei "Cupcake" Aromen, und er/sie hat beide nett und negativ Dinge sagen. Er war amüsant.
Ich kann nicht Deutschland hat keine Ordnung mit Schlange glauben. Ich liebe Deutsch Ordnung, und ich finde der Artikel seltsam. Obwohl, niemand ist vor mich in der Schlage dürfen.
Für Vorsprung, ich verstehe nicht Fußball. Wenn ich war ein Kinder, ich habe Fußball gespielt, aber ich kann nicht Spiele schauen. Stuttgart und München beide sehen nett und interessant aus. Ich mag München besser, weil München Oktoberfest hat.
Die große interessant Dinge finde ich im "365 Dinge..."Buch war Zahl 12. Das Badeschiff sieht wenige interessant, aber was finde ich mehr interessant ist die letzte Satz ist Englisch. Er sagt "Life is good sometimes!", wenn er sollt "Leben ist gut manchmal!" sagen. Ich auch mag Zahl 5 über der Döner, weil er lecker ist. Meine Lieblingsdinge ist Zahl 25. Ich bin Italienerin, so ich liebe Brot, Olivenöl, Käse, und Knoblauch. Essen im Knofel ist sehr gut.
Ich kann nicht Deutschland hat keine Ordnung mit Schlange glauben. Ich liebe Deutsch Ordnung, und ich finde der Artikel seltsam. Obwohl, niemand ist vor mich in der Schlage dürfen.
Für Vorsprung, ich verstehe nicht Fußball. Wenn ich war ein Kinder, ich habe Fußball gespielt, aber ich kann nicht Spiele schauen. Stuttgart und München beide sehen nett und interessant aus. Ich mag München besser, weil München Oktoberfest hat.
Die große interessant Dinge finde ich im "365 Dinge..."Buch war Zahl 12. Das Badeschiff sieht wenige interessant, aber was finde ich mehr interessant ist die letzte Satz ist Englisch. Er sagt "Life is good sometimes!", wenn er sollt "Leben ist gut manchmal!" sagen. Ich auch mag Zahl 5 über der Döner, weil er lecker ist. Meine Lieblingsdinge ist Zahl 25. Ich bin Italienerin, so ich liebe Brot, Olivenöl, Käse, und Knoblauch. Essen im Knofel ist sehr gut.
Kultur 1
USA Kulinarisch
Interestingly enough, I was not as offended as I expected to be as a patriot when reading the http://www.usa-kulinarisch.de/ website. While almost all dishes were explicitly fattening, over-portioned and saturated with butter, they way it was conveyed (seemingly-I don't know if I can pick up on German irony/sarcasm yet) seemed actually pretty respectful. While I know not all the food on the website or in our country is fattening, I like the idea of Germans being interested by a true cultural aspect of America- a country which many people claim has no original "culture". Since it was early and I was hungry, I went to the "frühstück" section and looked at some of the recipes. I found it funny and charming how they had an entire section called "Was ist ein Bagel?"- a question that would garner stares and cuss words if asked in any major U.S. city.
http://www.usa-kulinarisch.de/1030/info-was-ist-ein-bagel/
365 Dinge
The ones that caught my fancy:
#12.
Especially on a -kalt- day like today, the idea of going to a nice, warm, humid spa sounds ausgezeichnet. I can imagine it being a surreal and ethereal experience with frozen, icy, snowy weather occurring outside one of those windows. Then a nightcap in the lounge? Sounds like fun. If I go to Berlin...perhaps this will be on the list. If its like it is today I will avoid the "Open-Air-Area", though.
#20 "Mmmmm...Bier" - Deutsch-Homer
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4162i2OUW7L._SS500_.jpg
This too would be an exceedingly interesting experience. To get a diploma in beer. "Bist du stolz auf mich, Mutti???"
and finally...back to food...
#53
If the word "Schnitzelmonster" doesn't catch your attention, I believe you may have had a poorly executed lobotomy recently. Just the image of this breaded cutlet of meat makes my mouth water, and is something I'd definitely want to experience in Germany. Its not too expensive either! As the paragraph says...I'm gonna skip Vienna for schnitzel and go promptly to Berlin. Danke für diese Informationen!!
Brennpunkt Kultur
Studentenermäßigungen:
Ich bin sehr eifersüchtig! (because German-speaking countrys' students who are interested in the arts have the federal government more or less paying for them to cheaply absorb the cultural pleasures which surround them. While I am aware of the fact that students do receive discounts here in the USA, it seems much more regulated and taken advantage of in German speaking countries. Maybe our national lotteries could go to something like this instead of "education". Nur ein Sherz.
Fußball und Profi-Sport in Mitteleuropa:
Ich mag Fußball nicht. Sue me. I never was able to get into the professionals on the TV, and even when I played as a child I never enjoyed it. I'm sure my vocalization of this opinion would not go over well in a trip to Germany, or any other country outside of the US or Canada. The amount of loyalty europeans have to their teams is something to be admired, and perhaps exceeds even the strongest of loyalties here in America. However, the ideologies are similar, and one could argue that they stem from the same intrinsically human emotional connections - not to get too philosophical. This is just cool anthropologically and culturally, because although the sports themselves differ, the human element does not- even thousands of miles (or km) away. It is also comforting to know that if I did go to Germany, I would not be alone in my interests of Basketball and Tennis- both of which have very large followings in Europe in general as well.
What Discipline? Of German Lines and Pythons
If there is anything I can count on with German people (I knew a few growing up), punctuality and order have to be in the top 5 expectations. (Next to polka music and steins filled to the brim). Thats why it was almost jarring to read this article describing lines in Germany and their complete lack-there-of. The thought is nauseating, because even in the U.S.'s biggest baddest cities, people play by the rules when it comes to lines. Its just disrespectful not to. However after further thought on the matter, I figure this lack of order in queues may stem from the even more obsessive need to be quick/on time. How can you justify waiting on a line when you could be using all that time to successfully complete today's agenda? Just my humble opinion. Ich möchte nicht in Deutsche-Schlange stehen.
Interestingly enough, I was not as offended as I expected to be as a patriot when reading the http://www.usa-kulinarisch.de/ website. While almost all dishes were explicitly fattening, over-portioned and saturated with butter, they way it was conveyed (seemingly-I don't know if I can pick up on German irony/sarcasm yet) seemed actually pretty respectful. While I know not all the food on the website or in our country is fattening, I like the idea of Germans being interested by a true cultural aspect of America- a country which many people claim has no original "culture". Since it was early and I was hungry, I went to the "frühstück" section and looked at some of the recipes. I found it funny and charming how they had an entire section called "Was ist ein Bagel?"- a question that would garner stares and cuss words if asked in any major U.S. city.
http://www.usa-kulinarisch.de/1030/info-was-ist-ein-bagel/
365 Dinge
The ones that caught my fancy:
#12.
Especially on a -kalt- day like today, the idea of going to a nice, warm, humid spa sounds ausgezeichnet. I can imagine it being a surreal and ethereal experience with frozen, icy, snowy weather occurring outside one of those windows. Then a nightcap in the lounge? Sounds like fun. If I go to Berlin...perhaps this will be on the list. If its like it is today I will avoid the "Open-Air-Area", though.
#20 "Mmmmm...Bier" - Deutsch-Homer
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4162i2OUW7L._SS500_.jpg
This too would be an exceedingly interesting experience. To get a diploma in beer. "Bist du stolz auf mich, Mutti???"
and finally...back to food...
#53
If the word "Schnitzelmonster" doesn't catch your attention, I believe you may have had a poorly executed lobotomy recently. Just the image of this breaded cutlet of meat makes my mouth water, and is something I'd definitely want to experience in Germany. Its not too expensive either! As the paragraph says...I'm gonna skip Vienna for schnitzel and go promptly to Berlin. Danke für diese Informationen!!
Brennpunkt Kultur
Studentenermäßigungen:
Ich bin sehr eifersüchtig! (because German-speaking countrys' students who are interested in the arts have the federal government more or less paying for them to cheaply absorb the cultural pleasures which surround them. While I am aware of the fact that students do receive discounts here in the USA, it seems much more regulated and taken advantage of in German speaking countries. Maybe our national lotteries could go to something like this instead of "education". Nur ein Sherz.
Fußball und Profi-Sport in Mitteleuropa:
Ich mag Fußball nicht. Sue me. I never was able to get into the professionals on the TV, and even when I played as a child I never enjoyed it. I'm sure my vocalization of this opinion would not go over well in a trip to Germany, or any other country outside of the US or Canada. The amount of loyalty europeans have to their teams is something to be admired, and perhaps exceeds even the strongest of loyalties here in America. However, the ideologies are similar, and one could argue that they stem from the same intrinsically human emotional connections - not to get too philosophical. This is just cool anthropologically and culturally, because although the sports themselves differ, the human element does not- even thousands of miles (or km) away. It is also comforting to know that if I did go to Germany, I would not be alone in my interests of Basketball and Tennis- both of which have very large followings in Europe in general as well.
What Discipline? Of German Lines and Pythons
If there is anything I can count on with German people (I knew a few growing up), punctuality and order have to be in the top 5 expectations. (Next to polka music and steins filled to the brim). Thats why it was almost jarring to read this article describing lines in Germany and their complete lack-there-of. The thought is nauseating, because even in the U.S.'s biggest baddest cities, people play by the rules when it comes to lines. Its just disrespectful not to. However after further thought on the matter, I figure this lack of order in queues may stem from the even more obsessive need to be quick/on time. How can you justify waiting on a line when you could be using all that time to successfully complete today's agenda? Just my humble opinion. Ich möchte nicht in Deutsche-Schlange stehen.
Kultur 1
Guten Morgen!
Heute habe ich Vorsprung gelesen! Es war sehr interessant. Ich will zu Stuttgart gereist.
I read the article: What Discipline? Of German Lines and Pythons. It was about how the author thought that Germans aren't a group of people who are good at making lines, and that older people have a tendency to cut. I thought that was pretty funny because it made me think of mein Vater because he ist sehr impatient. I thought it was interesting that the Deutsch Wort for "line" (Schlange) means the same thing as "Snake." And when snakes move, their bodies are kind of all over the place...
Dann lese ich durch USA kulinarisch. Ich lese über Produkttest: “Süßer-Zauber”-Cupcakes. Ich mag Cupcakes! Sie "gefrosteten Cupcakes zu probieren." Das ist sehr Amerikanische.
Ich lese auch über die Stadt Stuttgart. Ich mag Stuttgart, weil meine Groß-Großeltern aus Stuttgart kommen. Meine anderen Großeltern haben Stuttgart gereist. Stuttgart is a beautiful city and it's definitely a place I would like to visit. I also like the sports, Fußball und Tennis!
In 365 Dinge mag ich "Shoppen im Bambus Dreams." Ich will Dinge von Nepal und Indien kaufen!
Auf Wiedersehen,
Taylor Kost
Es Tut mir Leid aber die schlecht Farbe!
Heute habe ich Vorsprung gelesen! Es war sehr interessant. Ich will zu Stuttgart gereist.
I read the article: What Discipline? Of German Lines and Pythons. It was about how the author thought that Germans aren't a group of people who are good at making lines, and that older people have a tendency to cut. I thought that was pretty funny because it made me think of mein Vater because he ist sehr impatient. I thought it was interesting that the Deutsch Wort for "line" (Schlange) means the same thing as "Snake." And when snakes move, their bodies are kind of all over the place...
Dann lese ich durch USA kulinarisch. Ich lese über Produkttest: “Süßer-Zauber”-Cupcakes. Ich mag Cupcakes! Sie "gefrosteten Cupcakes zu probieren." Das ist sehr Amerikanische.
Ich lese auch über die Stadt Stuttgart. Ich mag Stuttgart, weil meine Groß-Großeltern aus Stuttgart kommen. Meine anderen Großeltern haben Stuttgart gereist. Stuttgart is a beautiful city and it's definitely a place I would like to visit. I also like the sports, Fußball und Tennis!
In 365 Dinge mag ich "Shoppen im Bambus Dreams." Ich will Dinge von Nepal und Indien kaufen!
Auf Wiedersehen,
Taylor Kost
Es Tut mir Leid aber die schlecht Farbe!
Dienstag, 21. Januar 2014
Kultur 1
This Kultur 1 was sehr interesant. I had the most fun reading about the different foods available in Germany. It is good to know that many people in good ol' Deutschland try to cook different foods on there menu. The best looking thing that I saw was the cupcake. It looked so good I wanted to snatch it off my computer screen. It was also fun reading how much ordnung Germans have. It was slightly scary at some point. Me reading that packing elbow pads and knee pads was a necessary gesture is very off putting. The 365 Dinge was pretty cool as well. The top 4 interesting dinge to me were "Essen in Dunkeeln", "Big WIndow", "Nach Der Party", und "Relaxen in der grossten sauna
Samstag, 18. Januar 2014
Kultur Kapitel 7
Having traveled in Europe before, I understand quite well the lack of organization when it comes to mass transit. The tours we have taken have resulted in us being referred to as the blockers as we've often formed a wall for our tour group and locals so we could fill a subway car first. The tactics in "What Discipline?" will come in handy this summer; although, it caught me off guard because Germany is such an efficient country. It really is an eye opening experience seeing the difference in what occurs in most European and here in America, I'd go as far as comparing it to trying to get a Bursley-Baits bus in between classes.
Just as we Americans are fascinated by foreign foods, Germans love our takes on desserts and fast food it seems, even the basic chocolate chip cookie is a delight. Most of the top recipes are things I find in the dining halls on an almost daily basis and involve a lot of chocolate. I believe Germans and Americans share a similar sweet tooth. Amongst other German loves from America include sandwiches, fast food, bagels, and donuts, all things I usually have on a weekly basis.
Many similar discounts that German college students have, are also here in America. Most of Europe has discounts for students as well. For example, the Louvre in Paris is completely free for those who are under 21.
The German culture is also very green which explains the concept of charging for grocery bags as well as bringing your own reusable bags. I think this is something that should be integrated more into American culture as well as shopping locally rather than at super centers.
Stuttgart being a modern city close to the French and Swiss borders makes it an interesting cultural area famous for several of the biggest names in the imported auto industry: Porsche and Daimler AG. Some of the other main focal points for culture in the city are the performing arts.
It is not surprising at all that Germany's favorite sport is soccer, with the World Cup drawings and all I've heard several times how good their team is. The popularity of soccer worldwide is because of how little is needed to play and how cheap the stuff you do need is. Similar to America, volleyball, martial arts, basketball, and tennis are also quite popular. With the Winter Olympics around the corner, it's also good to note that Germany is quite good with winter sports, something I look forward to watching.
Munich is another very cultured area of Germany. Similar to Stuttgart, Munich is famous for it's local automobile company, BMW. It also host the famous Oktoberfest and many local breweries which has been making their rounds here in America.
Just as we Americans are fascinated by foreign foods, Germans love our takes on desserts and fast food it seems, even the basic chocolate chip cookie is a delight. Most of the top recipes are things I find in the dining halls on an almost daily basis and involve a lot of chocolate. I believe Germans and Americans share a similar sweet tooth. Amongst other German loves from America include sandwiches, fast food, bagels, and donuts, all things I usually have on a weekly basis.
Many similar discounts that German college students have, are also here in America. Most of Europe has discounts for students as well. For example, the Louvre in Paris is completely free for those who are under 21.
The German culture is also very green which explains the concept of charging for grocery bags as well as bringing your own reusable bags. I think this is something that should be integrated more into American culture as well as shopping locally rather than at super centers.
Stuttgart being a modern city close to the French and Swiss borders makes it an interesting cultural area famous for several of the biggest names in the imported auto industry: Porsche and Daimler AG. Some of the other main focal points for culture in the city are the performing arts.
It is not surprising at all that Germany's favorite sport is soccer, with the World Cup drawings and all I've heard several times how good their team is. The popularity of soccer worldwide is because of how little is needed to play and how cheap the stuff you do need is. Similar to America, volleyball, martial arts, basketball, and tennis are also quite popular. With the Winter Olympics around the corner, it's also good to note that Germany is quite good with winter sports, something I look forward to watching.
Munich is another very cultured area of Germany. Similar to Stuttgart, Munich is famous for it's local automobile company, BMW. It also host the famous Oktoberfest and many local breweries which has been making their rounds here in America.
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