Customer Reviews

Gimmick I: Gesprochenes Deutsch (Gimmick Series) (Gimmick (W.W. Norton))

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...that is, German as it is actually spoken. The preface says that it's for intermediate learners, who already have about a 5000 word vocabulary. There's no grammar per se in the book, although a section on verb-preposition combinations and a second on conjunctions, adverbs, and prepositions is an excellent way to get some of those easy-to-foul-up parts of the language under control. It concentrates on idiomatic and colloquial usage (as opposed to slang usage), with a semi-programmed approach which allows you to build up vocabulary and usage models in usable-sized chunks. It most certainly is *not* a compendium of "potty-mouth" phrases - there's a limited amount of that stuff in the last "be careful of these phrases" chapter. If that's what you're looking for, just get a good unabridged bilingual dictionary, like the Oxford-Duden, and you'll find four-letter words to your endless amusement.

The only weakness I would draw to your attention is the age of the book: it's almost 30 years old. Colloquial usage changes more rapidly than more formal speech. In particular, the past quarter century has seen the adoption of a huge number of Anglicisms to colloquial German use, but they're not in the book. I'd love to see a new edition; the book is worth it.

Although 30 years old [Adrienne, where are you, we need The Gimmick II!] this book is the PERFECT transition for those who wish to take their fundamental high school or first year college German to the next level. I've looked at/owned literally dozens of cheesy "Learn to Speak German Books", and the Gimmick is by far at the top of the heap for those seeking strong intermediate/conversational skills. LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IS TOUGH. Do not be decieved by any of the literature on the market that promises overnight results. [Just look at how long it took you to learn English!] THE FORMULA for successfully learning to speak, read, and write accomplished and effective German is:
1. Deutsch Heute by Helmut Liedloff. There is no better introduction to German. PERIOD! This is where you learn grammar and a superior beginning vocabulary.
2. Get The Gimmick I.
3. Rosetta Stone 1,2,3. Expensive, but buy it used and sell it on EBAY when you're done. You only need to go thru it ONCE.
4. Go to Germany, rent cars, take trains, go to restaurants, get hotel rooms, and MOST OF ALL get drunk, hang out, and flirt with the locals in the Kneipe, Gasthof, or Spelunke every night you're there.

Although this book is meant to be learning book it is set up as a phrase book. The twist is that the phrases are more natural and conversational that usual and the German translation it not high German but normal everyday and even low german. So, you would need allot of discipline to go through it. But it is a riot to just flip through and read the more interesting phrases. There is even a chapter on how to cuss someone out and it includes all the 4 letter words -I couldn't stop laughing.

Oh boy! Another book of lists to memorize! Although the concept of providing "an uncensored German vocabulary learning book" (which is how it's described) sounds good, the format is unimaginative, and not conducive to learning unless you're someone who learns lists well. The lists of phrases and idioms are not presented in any cohesive way - for example on page 98 we have "schimpfen - to grumble" then "auffaelig - gaudy", followed by "die Sparkasse - savings bank". The lists of verbs (with English followed by German) don't really distinguish meanings - e.g. "to look after/take care of" is translated "sorgen fuer, sich kuemmern um, sich beschaeftigen mit, betreuen" Each of those German words has rather different (and multiple) meanings, and lumping them together as possible translations for "to look after/take care of" doesn't allow the student to understand those different meanings. The verbs are given as infinitive forms rather than used in a meaningful sentence.
I have a very old beginning German language textbook called "Colby's Natuerliche Methode" printed sometime in late 19th century. It consists of ongoing dialogue between a teacher and several students, without English translation. By placing words in a story context the student is able to grasp their meaning. A book like "The Gimmick" (and other language books that rely on lists of words to memorize) would serve the student better if they would present verbs/nouns/phrases/idioms in a conversational context - a series of sentences that "make sense", preferably using memorable sentences - the sort that make advertising jingles so memorable. I still recall one such jingle from my first German textbook "Das Wasser kocht, die Hausfrau lacht, weil Juno vieles leichter macht - Juno bringt Komfort ins Haus". Please, no more lists!