anyone fluent in German?

[badger]

I need to write a short note to my aunt who only speaks German. I speak zero German. I found out that the online english-german translator literally just translates the word and does nothing for the actual sentence, so I need someone to please help me write a few sentences in German.

If you're fluent and can help me, please IM me! danke schon!

[tulip]

I think shootingstar's dearie does.

[sundial]

Will this help?

http://translate.google.com/#

[Biciclista]

don't use a computer translator if you can help it. You might end up with a sentence that makes no sense.

[badger]

yes, I used the translator and I believe it literally just translates the word. Doesn't do anything to make them into proper sentences. They'll understand and get the gist of it, like I got my aunt's using the translator, but I figured it would be nice to get it done by a person who actually knows the language.

Loads of Asian language speakers, but it's been really had to find German speakers.

[SheFly]

Shootingstar's dearie certainly would be my first choice

I speak German as well, albeit a bit rusty. I cant definitely get the grammar down, though! Happy to help - just ping me.

SheFly

[shootingstar]

I have to say that dearie speaks broken basic German.
He struggles with the software translators himself for simple short letter because he stopped learning written German when he was 7 yrs. old. Right now, he hasn't even gotten around to an email Christmas greeting to a cousin in Germany...because it takes such effort for him to do it.

Right now .he is entertaining some German guests (who speak English) on business this week...for a cycling conference to happen in Vancouver soon.

Badger does the Goethe Institute exist in Vancouver?...I'm not there at this time.

Even if you sent a nice card, and 1-2 sentences...your aunt might run around and find someone to translate it for her. Includes an older photo of yourself/family and father..so she knows it's from you/your family. There's a good chance, since alot more Germans can read/speak English compared to 50 yrs. ago.

Just a suggestion.

[Biciclista]

you make a good point. A lot of Germans are very conversant in English- the younger the better. Just find a teenager!

[badger]

nope, I had to call her to tell her that my dad was in the hospital and I was telling her in very broken German from the translator. She got the gist, obviously, but it was very difficult because she was asking me questions in German and I couldn't even decipher them to put into the translator. It was absolutely horrible telling her that he died - literally "dad dead".

I really do wish my dad spoke to us in German as children, at the very least we would've had the capacity to understand spoken German if not speaking it ourselves. I'd like to learn it, I think it sounds really cool, but it's a really difficult language to learn.

[shootingstar]

but it was very difficult because she was asking me questions in German and I couldn't even decipher them to put into the translator. It was absolutely horrible telling her that he died - literally "dad dead".

I really do wish my dad spoke to us in German as children, at the very least we would've had the capacity to understand spoken German if not speaking it ourselves. I'd like to learn it, I think it sounds really cool, but it's a really difficult language to learn.

to me, it is a difficult language to learn --French is a cinch by comparison. At least in trying to speak it.

She would understand your blunt German words. (That's how I speak Chinese with my mother, my relatives... truly. No one cares..at least in Canada.)

It might be worth finding a German deli or store (there is a German club in Vancouver for you to ask for advice where to get this stuff) that might have a card..with some German text..

Do you think your aunt might even know French....many Europeans have at least simple grasp of key words in a 2nd or 3rd language? Jack's relatives would know at least a few key French words.

If she lives near the French border ...

[Flybye]

I have a friend who teaches German at the high school. If you'd like to send a PM I can see what he can do.

[Mr. Bloom]

yes, I used the translator and I believe it literally just translates the word. Doesn't do anything to make them into proper sentences.

FWIW, my experience with online translators is good IF I run the translate into the desired language, THEN, I retranslate back into English, THEN adjust my English to reduce/eliminate idiomatic influences (many of which I'm not conscious of). Ultimately, (and often after several rounds of this) once I've made my English very formal and grammatically correct, I find the online translator effective...the problem? I'm neither formal or overly concerned with precise grammatical correctness

It was funny once when I wanted to refurbish the radio in my '69 Mercedes...so I used google translator to draft and proudly send an email to Becker. They responded to inform me that they were in New Jersey

[badger]

Do you think your aunt might even know French....many Europeans have at least simple grasp of key words in a 2nd or 3rd language? Jack's relatives would know at least a few key French words.

If she lives near the French border ...

but you assume I speak French. Got through the Canadian school system without learning French, I know more Spanish.

[Cataboo]

I don't suppose you could call the german embassy and see if they'd help you out or could recommend someone for you to use?

[badger]

I found help! thanks everyone!