2006-11-11 03:50:42 · 11 answers · asked by midwestsportsfancollegeguy 1 in Travel ➔ Germany ➔ Other - Germany
Yes. Embarrasingly well. I was there on business a few times and had my basic survival German, any time I opened my mouth they just swapped into English. Even a homeless guy on the train selling newspapers (in Britain the equivalent is call The Big Issue), I told him "I don't speak German" in German and he replied in English "Ah, you are English? You'd understand". I think you might be missing out if you didn't try to learn a little German though, and I'm sure they appreciate the attempt as a basic courtesy.
2006-11-11 04:04:59 · answer #1 · answered by Chris H 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm living there right now. Being in a university town, English is understood decently well by the majority of the students as most of them (recently) took classes in it. In really touristy areas (ie Berlin, Muenchen, etc.) a lot of the shop keepers understand it also as they have to deal with many foreigners. I have visited small cities though where absolutely no one speaks English (at least not enough to be able to give you directions or understand a more complicated question). I could probably get by shopping without knowing any German, using a point and write down the total technique. My suggestion would be to learn at least the basic travel phrases and some numbers, and bring a phrase book with you. You never know when you'll run into someone who can't speak it.
2006-11-12 04:13:12 · answer #2 · answered by shortstuf_2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Almost everybody speaking in Germany English. The kids start 3. Grade with Foreign Language "English" at schools.
2006-11-12 00:18:50 · answer #3 · answered by cat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say yes, most of the Continental Countries speak english, some much better than the indigenous inhabitants (think chavs) Many continental countries teach english as a compulsory second language. They put the english to shame (myself included) in learning. A barman in Holland amazed me by holding an intelligent conversation with me, (a Brit) a French guy, a German and an Italian, also telling the four of us what the other where saying, all in real time, very impressive.
2006-11-11 04:16:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Mostly, yes. In the big cities you are well understood, the response may be a bit difficult. But in the little villages you might have some problems... Everyone has English as a compulsory subject at school, but some forget it after they finished school...
2006-11-12 04:39:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, especially in the larger cities. In most European countries, everyone learns a second language, and many many people learn English. Same on us English-speakers for not doing the same!
2006-11-11 03:54:28 · answer #6 · answered by MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it mostly is. I was in Brussels Belgium for a few days and just walking around almost everyone understood English.
2006-11-11 03:54:52 · answer #7 · answered by John K 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No not really ,they dub the movies on tv in German
all countries that speak a lot of English are the countries that show the movies in their original language
like Holland,Portugal,Scandinavia,Marocco and a lot of the kids speak some English
Countries that Dubb,Italy,Spain,Germany are bad at other languages
to day a lot of Germans do speak English because of education and business,but the kids dont.
In Holland most people speak some French,German and English ,but that is because nobody speaks dutch
2006-11-11 04:03:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋
Extremely. Some of the older folks have a problem with it, and perhaps some in the eastern part where it wasn't emphasized.
2006-11-12 00:10:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea, almost everyone under the age of 45 understands it.
2006-11-12 03:01:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋