So you want to learn German – So dass Sie wollen Deutsch lernen #2 by K. Williams

December 1, 2014 By Captain Maiel

Two months in! Actually, I’m on my second month of learning German/Deustche. So you want to learn German?

Sigh.

Photo courtesy of http://www.openculture.com

I love this language. The way that it sounds, the uniqueness from and similarities to English. I’ve wanted to learn forever, as my last installment said. Naturally, writing a World War II epic, and continuing with the sequel (damn you Carsten Reiniger!) has really put the fire under me again.

How bad is it, you’re probably wondering – thinking back to grammar or secondary school where you struggled with ‘fluent’ Spanish or French teacher that you suspected had no idea what they were doing (you were probably right)? It’s not bad at all. In fact, there are so many resources available out there to help a language learner that it’s absolutely ridiculous that you don’t go for it. Is it easy? Of course not! Did you learn to speak in a couple days? No, it took months, maybe years, of listening and reasoning and struggling before you even gurgled out Mamma. So, the task is going to be a long one, but it IS rewarding!

Lately, I’ve been dreaming in German. Coolest thing ever. The other morning, I woke up and realized, ein-eine-einen (a, an) – kein, keine, keinen (no, none).

I have no apples. – Ich habe keine Äpfel.

And, just like that a light was clicking on. My brain made the connection on it’s own, I’m not even up to ‘kein’ yet in my lessons – but I have seen it before in my wanderings through the odd phrase or two. That’s when you realize, you’ve got this — even if you’re at an elementary level.

About Captain Maiel

Born in Saratoga Springs, New York, K has enjoyed more than twenty years professionally writing. K attended Morrisville State College, majoring in Biology, and then continued with English and History at the University at Albany, where she gained her Bachelor’s Degree. While attending UA, K interned with the 13th Moon Feminist Literary Magazine, bridging her interests in social movements and art. Topics of K's writing often include gender and racial disparities, and trauma. In 2014, K graduated from Empire State College (SUNY) with a Masters in Liberal Studies: screenwriting (Film Studies), the politics of film, and adaptations. During her gradute work, K was the recipient of the Foner Fellowship in Arts and Social Justice, a full scholarship.
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Published novels by K include the Civil War drama Blue Honor, the Second World War spy thriller OP-DEC:Operation Deceit, and the controversial dark fantasy, paranormal series The Trailokya Trilogy. In addition to writing novels, K does screenwriting: 8 Days in Ireland and the adaptations of her current novels. A sequel to her second novel, OP-DEC, is in the research phase, while the screen adaptation is being considered for production by film companies.
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In 2015, K. Williams became an official member of International Thriller Writers, but her greatest accomplishment thus far was becoming a mother in 2017. K continues to produce commentary and art pieces on The Blue Honor Blog, publishing twice weekly. A devoted dog mom, K created Shagbottom Theater in which her dogs star as well known literary and stage personas. K is also a visual artist, producing the ZoDuck Cartoon, painting and sketching--digitally or traditionally, as well as an accomplished Photographer. Click here to see more! Whether it's cooking, IVF and Parenting, learning a foreign language, history or dogs, you'll find something to enjoy and for which to come back.
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Excerpts of K's unedited, rough drafts and other scraps of writing can be found at: KWilliamsAuthor on deviantArt.com. You can also sample her books on Wattpad.