Arbeit Macht Frei.These three words are the first thing I noticed when I was walking towards Gross-Rosen Concentration Camp in Poland two years ago.This German phrase translated into English means “Work Will Set You Free”.These three words can be seen above the gates in most concentration camps from World War II.I was visiting Poland with some members of my team for an acrobatic gymnastics competition, but we also did a lot of sightseeing while we were there.We had to have translators for the trip because we spoke no Polish at all.Our translators were two high school seniors who had been taking English in school and were doing this as a project.We learned how to say some basic words in Polish like hello, thank you, and toilet.We noticed though, that a lot of people in the town that we were staying in didn’t speak English but understood it a little.Our translators told us that most kids take English in school, sort of like here where most kids take Spanish.We also found that we would try to say something in Polish, and even if we didn’t even get it close, they would still usually know what we were talking about.I actually found it a lot of fun to go out places and have to work to try to get the people to understand what we were trying to say.
Since this was an international competition, there were many other people there from other European countries as well.The South African team was staying in the same hotel as us so we did a lot of things together.One day we went to see the botanical gardens with them.It was a very long bus ride so we had a lot of time to talk.At one point, one of the girls said that she liked our accents.We all found this interesting because we never really think of ourselves as having accents.We just thought that they had accents, but when you think about it from their prospective, we’re the ones that talk differently.
Something else that I found very cool was how you could have so many people from so many different countries, but certain things are the same everywhere.For example, my friend and I went to say something to a girl from Germany.Instead of using words, I just gave her a thumbs-up and she just knew what I was trying to say to her.She just nodded and pointed back to us and gave us a thumbs-up too.We don’t speak each other’s languages but we can still congratulate each other.
Overall, Poland was a huge learning experience for me!One important thing I learned is that it doesn’t matter if you speak the language.There are many different ways of communicating and you can always get your point across.Czesc! (Bye!)
Hey, this sounds like a fascinating experience. I know that when I went to Korea six years ago, I had to watch hand gestures and certain phrases such as shut up, because Korean people understand that and are offended. Interesting story, though!!
In taking Holocaust last year, I know about many of the concentration camps. I am very jealous, because i really want to go to visit many of the camps, because I love learning about the history of important events from the past, and I am Jewish so i think i would really feel a certain connection in visiting. I think its so cool how not only did you learn some Polish with the tour guides, but you also were talking with the South African girls, and comparing your accents. This is such a cultural experience, and reading the sign "Work will set you free" is such a misleading sign because that is what the Nazi's put to have the Jews not rebel, and they would never set anyone free who worked. Great Story!!
It must have been very moving to visit a concentration camp! I think it's important that you pointed out how some things in language are universal. It's actually comforting to know that although we all come from different regions of the world with a different everything, we can at least share certain similarities and understandings through language. I found that if you combine pointing and gesturing with some accurate words or phrases in whatever particular language, you can usually get your point across. I'm always impressed when non-native English speakers from other countries can speak English extra well because I don't know if I would be as capable a speaker even in a country whose language I learned.
Jenny,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really neat experience. Be careful with hand gestures in other cultures, however! Some hand gestures mean different things!
Eric
Hey, this sounds like a fascinating experience. I know that when I went to Korea six years ago, I had to watch hand gestures and certain phrases such as shut up, because Korean people understand that and are offended. Interesting story, though!!
ReplyDeleteIn taking Holocaust last year, I know about many of the concentration camps. I am very jealous, because i really want to go to visit many of the camps, because I love learning about the history of important events from the past, and I am Jewish so i think i would really feel a certain connection in visiting. I think its so cool how not only did you learn some Polish with the tour guides, but you also were talking with the South African girls, and comparing your accents. This is such a cultural experience, and reading the sign "Work will set you free" is such a misleading sign because that is what the Nazi's put to have the Jews not rebel, and they would never set anyone free who worked. Great Story!!
ReplyDeleteIt must have been very moving to visit a concentration camp! I think it's important that you pointed out how some things in language are universal. It's actually comforting to know that although we all come from different regions of the world with a different everything, we can at least share certain similarities and understandings through language. I found that if you combine pointing and gesturing with some accurate words or phrases in whatever particular language, you can usually get your point across. I'm always impressed when non-native English speakers from other countries can speak English extra well because I don't know if I would be as capable a speaker even in a country whose language I learned.
ReplyDelete