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That's a pure misunderstanding; saying your German is terrible doesn't mean you want to speak English or you want someone to say something in simpler words, it
by solar-ice 4y ago
That's a pure misunderstanding; saying your German is terrible doesn't mean you want to speak English or you want someone to say something in simpler words, it just means your German is terrible.
- stdbrouw 4y agoActually, it does imply that you want the counterparty to speak more slowly or otherwise accommodate you. Otherwise there's no reason to point it out at all.
- synu 4y agoI’ve found in Germany it’s best to be direct and not rely on implication to make your point.
- Vinnl 4y agoI could interpret it to mean "please excuse my mistakes", which is some accommodation, but apparently not what they were after.
- Beldin 4y agoYup. I would indeed take it to mean "apologies that i am butchering this language and/or its grammar". Same thing in The Netherlands: if you're excusing your command of the language, that's polite. If you want to request something, you'd ask. Eg, "nicht zo schnell, bitte".
- jhugo 4y agoNo, in Germany it just means what it says. If you wanted them to speak slower you would have asked them to.
- DonHopkins 4y agoOr maybe they think he's saying "Entschuldigung, ich bin ein schlechter Deutscher."