Navigating the System: German Grammar & Degree Recognition – Let’s Talk Passive Voice

Okay, so here I am, six months in Berlin, working as a freelance translator, and still battling bureaucracy. Seriously, it feels like a sport sometimes. The biggest hurdle right now is getting my Master’s degree officially recognized – Anerkennung ausländischer Abschlüsse – and honestly, a lot of the conversations I’m having are incredibly complicated. It’s not just about translating words; it’s about understanding the unspoken rules and, crucially, how to communicate them effectively. And that’s where the grammar comes in, particularly this passive voice thing. It’s making my head spin!

The Meeting with the Prüfstelle (Assessment Office)

Last week, I had a crucial appointment with the Prüfstelle – the assessment office that decides if my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto is equivalent to a German Bachelor degree. The woman, Frau Schmidt, was incredibly polite, but clearly, she was wading through a mountain of paperwork.

“Guten Morgen, Herr Müller,” she said, her voice professional, “Ich habe Ihre Unterlagen erhalten. Es wird geprüft, ob Ihr Abschluss den deutschen Standards entspricht.” (Good morning, Mr. Müller, I have received your documents. It is being checked if your degree meets German standards.)

I completely froze. “Es wird geprüft?” I blurted out. “So, what exactly are they doing?”

She smiled patiently. “Es wird geprüft, Herr Müller. The department examines each course, compares it to the German curriculum, and decides whether the content is equivalent. Es wird ein Gutachten erstellt.” (It is being checked, Mr. Müller. The department examines each course, compares it to the German curriculum, and decides whether the content is equivalent. A report will be drawn up.)

The whole conversation felt… detached. Like I wasn’t the one driving it. I suddenly realized the passive voice was everywhere, and I didn’t understand it. It wasn’t about me making a request; it was about something being done by someone else.

Understanding the Passive Voice in Everyday Conversations

It started to pop up everywhere. I had a phone call with the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB – Central Office for Foreign Education) and they told me: ” Es wird ein Antrag auf Anerkennung gestellt.” (An application for recognition is being submitted.) I almost hung up! I wanted to say, “I’m submitting the application!” but I just said, “Okay, thank you.” I realized then I needed to actively listen and notice when they used this construction.

Here’s a breakdown of some common phrases and what they mean:

• Es wird gesagt: It is said (They are saying something)
• Es wird beantragt: It is requested/applied for (A request is being made)
• Es wird geprüft: It is being checked/assessed (The documents are being assessed)
• Es wird entschieden: It is decided (A decision is being made)

My First Mistake (and How it Happened)

The biggest mistake I made was during an email exchange with the Akademische Anerkennung, a private consultancy that helps with recognition processes. I asked them, “Can you please review my transcripts and confirm that they meet the requirements?” They responded: ” Es wird geprüft, sobald Sie uns die Dokumente zusenden.” (It is being checked as soon as you send us the documents.)

I was frustrated! I wanted them to review the documents. Instead of saying, “Could you please initiate the review process?” I just reiterated my question. It was a huge misunderstanding, fuelled entirely by my unfamiliarity with the passive voice.

Practical Tips – How to Respond When You Hear It

So, what do I do when I hear this passive voice constantly being used? Here’s what I’m learning:

1. Don’t panic. Seriously, take a deep breath. It’s a common construction in German and often doesn’t translate directly into ‘I’m doing it.’

2. Ask for clarification: It’s perfectly acceptable – and encouraged – to ask, “Können Sie das bitte für mich tun?” (Can you do that for me?). It’s a polite way to shift the focus back to you.

3. Rephrase actively: If you need to make a request, try to phrase it actively. Instead of “Es wird geprüft,” try “Ich möchte, dass Sie meine Unterlagen prüfen.” (I would like you to review my documents.)

4. Listen carefully: Pay close attention to who is doing the action. Is it the Prüfstelle, the ZAB, or the consultants? This will help you understand the context.

Moving Forward: More Than Just Grammar

Ultimately, understanding this passive voice is about more than just ticking off a grammatical box. It’s about navigating a bureaucratic system where the focus isn’t always on you. It’s about understanding how things get done, who is responsible, and – crucially – how to advocate for myself effectively. I still feel overwhelmed at times, but learning to recognize and respond to this passive voice is a small, but incredibly important, step in the right direction. Viel Glück! (Good luck!)