Monday morning, maths department

I've been keeping quiet about it here lately -- but German's hard, and keyword-spotting has its limits. Survival doesn't necessarily entail competence. And of course this blog thrives on total honesty. So, to destroy any illusions that have formed . . . well, I suspect that when speaking German I still typically sound like a cross between a caveman and a person with ADD.

Like, with a classmate yesterday,

Clemens: Hey, have you seen David?

me: Heya. Who? What?

clem: David, you know, he's in the differential geometry course too. I was just looking for him there.

me: Diffgeo? Oh, yes, I know I saw you in there a second ago, but that was just to hand in my assignment. I'm actually skipping the lecture there today to go finish my model theory assignment for later this afternoon.

clem: Ah. No, I'm looking for David. He's IN the differential geometry course. He's in representation theory with us too. You know David, you speak to him sometimes, don't you?

me: Ohhh -- yes, I know I sometimes speak up in class in representation theory. I know it's a pain for everyone else, since my German's so bad. But it's a hard course, and I need to ask questions sometimes, even if it takes the tutor ages to work out what I'm trying to say . . . . I hope it doesn't get too much on your nerves . . . .

clem: No, don't worry about it. But it's David I'm after just now. You know each other, don't you? He told me your last name, it's very funny!

me : Aha! Yes, my last name . . . yes, I've been getting teased about it for years.

clem: Haha. I'm not surprised. But, er, anyway, I should go find David. You haven't seen him, I guess? See you later.

me: Oh -- David, you say? No, I haven't seen him. Ciao then.

But I promise, my comprehension has been getting better. For example, it's good enough now to occasionally overhear things in the supermarket. Like, last night,

woman whose purchase included several kilograms of birdseed: Aagh, these seeds are spilling everywhere!

check-out lady: Here, wrap up those packets in this bag. You don't want to walk through town looking like Hansel and Gretel, do you?