Day 7: The Herring Story Stays In
In a care home in Rostock, Finn (A), a young volunteer, reads Gisela Petersen (B), a resident, the draft he has written of the speech she will give at the memorial for her friend Günter, a former ship's cook from her corridor.
How to study this lesson 3 steps
- Read the situation under the title. It says who is talking and how they know each other, which decides how politely they speak.
- Read the dialogue line by line with its translation, until every line makes sense. Point at (or tap) a German word to see what it means.
- Spend at least 30 minutes listening to native German, for example from the Resources page. It doesn't matter if you don't understand it yet.
Dialogue
Audio recordings are on the way. For now, each lesson is the dialogue with its English translation.
Keys: E hide English · ← → previous / next day · point at a word to see its meaning
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A
So, Frau Petersen, der Entwurf ist fertig: „Anlässlich des Ablebens von Günter Behrens haben wir uns heute versammelt, um seiner zu gedenken.“
Right, Mrs Petersen, the draft is ready: 'On the occasion of the passing of Günter Behrens, we have gathered here today to honour his memory.'
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B
Anlässlich? Junger Mann, das klingt, als hätte Günter zu seinem eigenen Tod eingeladen, mit Sekt und Schnittchen.
On the occasion of? Young man, that makes it sound as if Günter had sent out invitations to his own death, with fizz and nibbles.
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A
Es wird besser, versprochen: „Angesichts seines reichen Lebenswerks als Smutje bei der Deutschen Seereederei ...“
It gets better, I promise: 'In view of his rich life's work as a ship's cook with the Deutsche Seereederei...'
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B
Lebenswerk! Günter hat vierzig Jahre lang Labskaus für hungrige Matrosen gekocht und nicht den Kölner Dom gebaut.
Life's work! Günter spent forty years cooking Labskaus hash for hungry sailors, not building Cologne Cathedral.
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A
Und was soll stattdessen rein? Ich dachte, bei einer Trauerfeier sagt man eben etwas Getragenes.
So what should go in instead? I thought at a memorial you're supposed to say something solemn.
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B
Die Heringsgeschichte. Weil er die Fischstäbchen hier für eine Beleidigung hielt, hat Günter mal einen Bismarckhering im Brillenetui in den Speisesaal geschmuggelt.
The herring story. Because he thought the fish fingers here were an insult, Günter once smuggled a Bismarck herring into the dining hall in his glasses case.
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A
Im Brillenetui? Und das wollen Sie wirklich vor dem Pastor und der ganzen Familie erzählen?
In his glasses case? And you really want to tell that in front of the pastor and the whole family?
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B
Die Familie kennt die Geschichte längst, die Heimleitung hat danach drei Tage lang gelüftet. Anlässlich des Herings, wenn Sie so wollen.
The family have known that story for ages; the management aired the place for three days afterwards. On the occasion of the herring, if you like.
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A
Verstanden: Das Lebenswerk fliegt raus, und der Hering bleibt drin. Das „Ableben“ streiche ich gleich mit.
Understood: the life's work comes out and the herring stays in. I'll cut the 'passing' while I'm at it.
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