Moderator for Conversations in German

I am disappointed that so few students take part in Your Community: Conversation in German. It is an excellent opportunity for practicing skills one learns from the lessons. Perhaps a forum administrated by Rocket German "teachers" would draw a greater audience and raise expectations for continuing with the program passed the initial series. As it stands, we (the learners) attempt deciphering each others words - never knowing IF our messages are correct. Please address this request.

I have an English computer. Can someone tell me how to get the umlaut sign then maybe I can try to get into some German conversation which I so badly need to practice. Vielen dank.

Hello Mrs. L, You inspired me to do just what you are seeking - get umlauts on my U.S. version keyboard. I now have a United States-International keyboard. I changed the keyboard version by doing a google search asking how to add the international keyboard to my Windows Vista Home Premium computer. Microsoft has a "Fix It" option that changed my keyboard arrangement. I am a total klutz with computers but was able to add the US-International keyboard which allows me to use umlauts. This is what I do: rightALT +q = ä rightALT +y = ü rightALT +p = ö rightALT +s = ß Good luck! I look forward to reading your German posts

Currently I have Windows 7, but before I had Windows XP and it was pretty much the same to acquire a German keyboard set-up ( my computer is a U.S. laptop). 1) go in to "Control Panel" 2) click the "Languages & Region" 3) click "Add" in the add a language section 4) select "German" and then you should be all set. *note: next to the enter key is the parenthesis key, that is the a umlaut. next to that is the semi colon key, that is the o umlaut and above that is the u umlaut. Also, in German when you write without the umlaut symbol, "ae" represents A umlaut, "oe" is O umlaut and "ue" is U umlaut.

Danke beides für euer hilfe. Ich versuche auf Deutsch schreiben. I don't know if that is right so forgive me for giving up so quickly and reverting to English, but I'll keep on trying though I may appear a fool. When I logged in on this site there is a big notice of the earthquake (New Zealand) and that the RG office has been affected. So to those who are suffering in any way due to this catastrophe, I offer my heartfelt sympathy and prayers and hope that the light at the end of the tunnel is not to far distant.

Sehr Gut, Mrs. L I bin immer nervos auf Deutsch zu schrieben aber Ich weiß daß übung Macht den Meister! Sie können mir duzen. Now, a bit of English. My German writing and speaking are novice. Please feel free to correct mistakes but by all means keep trying. I feel foolish EVERY time but that does not stop me from trying.

And it shouldnt stop you from trying, i always thought practice was 'praxis' but it seems 'übung' means the same thing. (i learnt something) I agree that they should make a rocket german / rocket languages forum that any body can register to post on. At least that way topics can be answered in less than 6 months. People on forums can be very negative but at least you would get a pool of native german speakers to pick out easily missed errors. It should be free to post too.

Heute bin ich nach die Werkstatt gefahren weil mien Auto die Winter Raeden mussen umtauchen. Es ist rightig? Is that a correct sentence?

Hello Mrs. L My best guess is: Ich fuhr einer Autowerkstätee weil die Winter Reifen meines Auto geändert werden mussten. However, I am a novice at German. I hope one of the seasoned Rocket German students will intervene.

Danke. that sounds more right than my feeble attempt.

Ich bin heute in die Werkstatt gefahren, um Winterreifen dran machen zu lassen. Or Ich brauchte Winterreifen für mein Auto, deshalb bin ich heute in die Werkstatt gefahren. Or Ich habe heute in der Werkstatt Winterreifen aufziehen lassen.