Mißverständnisse wird es immer geben. Schon zwischen Menschen gleicher Herkunft und mit derselben Muttersprache. Die Wahrscheinlichkeit, daß Mißverständnisse zwischen Gesprächspartnern mit verschiedener Ausgangssprache und -kultur entstehen, ist wesentlich höher.

Die Erfahrung, die ich in zweieinhalb Jahrzehnten an beiden Fronten gesammelt habe, qualifizieren mich, denke ich, die Probleme, die durch die mentalitätsbedingten Unterschiede im Gebrauch gleicher Worte mit abweichenden oder sich widersprechenden Bedeutungen, entstehen können ... was nicht selten der Fall ist.... hier aufzuführen.

Während wir letzendlich eine fließende und natürliche Gesprächsweise anstreben, und dabei so nebenher auch ein Gefühl für das Richtige entwickeln, lassen sich kleine Fehler, die aus unserem Unterbewußtsein im Eifer des Gefechts in die andere Sprache schleichen, nicht vermeiden. Auch kommt es vor, daß man etwas falsch gelernt hat und dieses Mißverständnis hegt und verteidigt, trotz aller Belehrungen, daß es 'So nicht heißt'.

Manche Mißverständnisse erzeugen nur Erheiterung, manche können ärgerliche Folgen haben, manche können sogar beleidigend sein; alle sind sie - nach Aufklärung - verständlich. In den folgenden Beispielen ist die Erklärung angegeben - was dann auch als Gedächtnisstütze dienen kann, wenn man diesen Fehler künftig vermeiden will.

Die unten aufgeführten Beispiele werden vielleicht nicht gerade den dritten Weltkrieg verhindern, aber Ihr werdet sehen, daß gerade diese Ausdrucke überraschend oft vorkommen und ein besseres Verständnis den Weg ebnen kann bei Gesprächen unter Gesprächspartnern, oder beim Smalltalk mit deren Partnern.

Es handelt sich, mit anderen Worten, um Begriffe, die man nicht im Wörterbuch suchen würde, wenn einem sie begegnen, weil man meint, sie zu kennen, die aber eine Überraschung parat hätten, sollten man es doch tun!

Die angegebenen Beispiele beschreiben lediglich die aktuellen Bedeutungen, die einem im täglichen Umgang mit der Sprache begegnen. In vergangenen Jahrhunderten hatten manche Worte ursprünglich die gleiche Bedeutung, haben aber mit der Zeit abweichende Verwendungen angenommen. Die vielen diversen Gründe für diese Mißverständnisse und semantische Ungereimtheiten sind zu viele, um sie hier einzeln anzugeben. Fast jedes Beispiel zeigt einen anderen Werdegang auf. Manche Definitionen sind einfach auseinandergedriftet, manche sind das Ergebnis deutscher Werbeslogans in vermeintlich richtigem Englisch, es gibt auch mindestens ein Beispiel, wo der Angelsachse einen Markennamen verwendet, der Deutscher aber nicht, manche sind über den Umweg Französisch hineingeschmuggelt worden... die Erklärungen sind so faszinierend wie zahlreich. Mit wenigen Vorkenntnissen der deutschen sowie englischen Sprache oder deren Geschichte erklären sich die meisten genannten Beispiele von selbst.

Misunderstandings happen. Even between people who share the same mother tongue and culture. The chances of misunderstandings happening between speakers of different native languages and cultures are disproportionately higher.

After two and a half decades of fighting on both fronts, I hope that I am qualified to provide a reliable guide to the problems and differences that can - and very frequently do - arise when native German speakers speak English, or English-speaking people are conversing in German.

While fluency and unstilted conversation are the ultimate aims of both, and a sixth sense as to what is right in each language develop with practice, it is still inevitable that subliminal errors crop up in the heat of the moment - or simply that someone gets hold of the "wrong end of the stick" and hangs on to it, regardless of what (s)he has been told or has read to the contrary.

Some of these misunderstandings are amusing, some are a nuisance, some can cause offense, but, when the origin is known, most of them are understandable. Where possible, the explanations are included in the examples below to aid the memory of anyone "guilty" of these mistakes and wishing to avoid them in the future.

The following examples may not be needed to prevent the next world war, but you will be surprised how often they will smooth your path when communicating with German, Austrian, Swiss (maybe even Dutch or Scandinavian) business partners or flirting with the husbands/wives of the same.

We are, in other words, talking about words and expressions which we would not tend to look up in the dictionary, should we come across them, because we think we know what they mean - but which would be quite a revelation to us, if we did take the trouble to look them up!

The examples given apply to the present use of the words in day-to-day conversation. In the past, some of the words may have had the same meaning, but have diverged over the years. There are many many reasons for these little misunderstandings and quirks of semantics, too many to categorise here, as practically each example has evolved along a different route. Some just drifted apart, some are the results of enthusiastic German advertisers thinking it is 'cool' to use an English word, in some cases the trade name has established itself in the English but not in the German, some have come via the French ... the explanations are fascinating, but innumerable. Most will be self-explanatory with a little knowledge of German, English or the history of the two languages.

Word/Expression

English meaning

actual

The English word means 'this specific one'. In German you use "tatsächlich" for this.

Alley

This denotes a small, dingy street of ill repute, usually a cul-de-sac

Angina

To English ears, this is a serious heart condition (angina pectoris).

Ausfahrt (German word)

Way out/exit (only applies to vehicles)

become

to change or metamorphose into something. A caterpillar leaves its cocoon to become a butterfly.

To berate/beraten (v)

To tell someone off.

Brave

To be courageous

Chef

A master cook

Chips

Thick sticks of potato, fried, soggy, bendy, served with vinegar and salt

Christ

The person, Jesus Christ

City

A town, usually large. Also: The buildings and offices where stocks and shares are traded.

Concur

To agree

Consequent

Following on as a result of something else

conservative

Right-wing politics, old-fashioned

Cover

Verb or noun; everything to do with obliterating something, usually by placing something over the top, or round, depending upon the shape and size of article to be covered.

Crème - (German Word)

Critic

A person who reviews cultural events and publications, a person who gives an opinion on anything

Decent

Polite, correct, clean, presentable

Decent

Respectable (a person, a meal, a worthy offer, etc)

Einfahrt (German word)

Way in (only applies to vehicles)

eventual

The English word refers to something that will happen in the end. 'Eventually, the tadpole will turn into a frog'

Gammon

Cured ham - usually a whole ham is cooked or roasted and served with pineapple

Genial

A "genial" person is good-natured and jovial

gift

A present

Guilty

To be the culprit, to have committed a crime or offence

half - as used in time

in some parts of the UK, "half four" is used instead of "half past four"

Handy

Nearby, useful. (griffbereit, nützlich)

Human

A person. Relating to humankind

Jacuzzi

Luxuriously large bathtub with jets of water spraying out below the water level. (Trade name)

Lager

A light beer

Lucky

to have good fortune

Make up.

Decorative cosmetics usually applied to the face.

mist

a light fog, condensation

Mundane

Everyday

Noble

1. A duke, lord, or anyone who is not a "commoner" 2. A fine person or a deed done out of generosity and for the benefit of someone else

offensive

Insulting; also the opposite of "defensive".

Old Timer

An old man who has experienced hard times, war etc.

Ordinary

Plain, normal, not unusual

Outing

An excursion with a group (school class or society; 'works outing")

Overlook

Have a view over (He chose a seat overlooking the green); not to see something, intentionally or by mistake. Not to be confused with "oversee" - which means to supervise

Patent

A paper securing your rights on an invention you have made. Adjective: Waterproof And patent leather is a shiny, artificial material used for shoes and handbags. You also say "patently" obvious.

Plastic

The petrol-based substance we wouldn't have survived the 20th century without. The related adjective.

Preservative

Chemicals added to food to improve their keeping properties

Profile

Side view of face; general picture of something (usually a person's character)

Radio

A device for receiving radio broadcasts; also a two-way communication device

Revenge

In English "Revenge" is bitter and vindictive.

The German verb "revanchieren" does not correspond 100% to the English word "revenge".

The German word can have negative AND positive connotations, e.g. "sich revanchieren" can also mean "to return a favour'.

Sensible

Down-to-earth, having good sense, not flighty

Set

Numerous meanings in English - To place something down somewhere, to set the table, to set a fire, to set a scene… The noun means a complete collection of something - tableware, equipment for a game, and is also the word for a badger's home.

Slip

To make a mistake, lose your footing when your feet slide on a too smooth (slippery) surface.(rutschen, ausrutschen) Also subst. A mistake (Ausrutscher). A petticoat (Unterrock). Th straight kind, not fifties' style!

Slipper

A pair of soft shoes worn inside the house.

smoking

adj. giving off smoke, enjoying a cigarette

Stores

Warehouses, shops or what is in them. What is in the larder, pantry or cellar.

Sympathetic

Of a person who shows that they feel the same way, and has compassion

Terse

Short, unfeeling

Tip

some practical advice; a rubbish dump

Underwrite

Something to do with insurance or probate?

Welcome

You're welcome is not necessarily a nice thing to say in English. On the other hand, it can be used as a reply to "thank you" but is not compulsory

Who, where

Which person, what place. In that order

Zap

To put something somewhere quickly and efficiently e.g. in the microwave