My First Steps: Talking About Human Rights in Germany

It’s been six months since I moved to Berlin, and honestly, the initial excitement of exploring is starting to settle into a kind of…routine. And a routine involves, increasingly, navigating the world and, surprisingly, dealing with conversations about human rights. It’s not exactly what I expected when I imagined settling into a new country, but it’s proving to be incredibly important and, frankly, a really good way to improve my German.

The Accident and the “Schadenersatz”

It all started with a minor traffic accident. I was cycling home after a long day at my job as a software tester – ‘Tester’ in German is ‘Tester’, just as it is in English, thankfully – and I bumped into a delivery guy. Nothing serious, just a dent in his scooter. The police arrived, and the situation quickly became a tangle of paperwork and questions.

The delivery guy, a young man named Markus, was understandably stressed. He kept repeating, “Ich will den Schadenersatz!” (I want compensation!). I didn’t really understand what he meant at first. I stammered, “Entschuldigung? Schadenersatz? Was ist das?” (Excuse me? Compensation? What is that?). He patiently explained that he wanted money to repair his scooter. It was a really good reminder to always ask for clarification when I don’t understand a word, even a seemingly simple one. I managed to say, “Ich entschuldige mich sehr, ich verstehe nicht ganz.” (I apologize very much, I don’t quite understand).

Workplace Discussions – Diversity and Inclusion

My job isn’t always about coding. My company, a small IT firm, is trying really hard to promote diversity and inclusion. Last week, we had a training session on “Vielfalt im Arbeitsplatz” (Diversity in the Workplace). The facilitator, a woman named Frau Schmidt, started the discussion by asking if anyone had experienced any instances of discrimination.

It was a slightly awkward moment. Someone nervously said, “Ich habe manchmal das Gefühl, dass meine Ideen nicht ernst genommen werden, weil ich eine andere Herkunft habe.” (I sometimes feel that my ideas aren’t taken seriously because I have a different background). I wanted to contribute, but I was so worried about saying the wrong thing. I managed to say, “Das ist sehr wichtig zu besprechen. Wir sollten offen sein und respektvoll miteinander umgehen.” (That’s very important to discuss. We should be open and respectful with each other.) It felt good to contribute, even if it was just a small phrase.

A Conversation at the Café – Refugees and Rights

I’m trying to go to the same café near my apartment every week. It’s become a little hub for me to practice my German and just…be. Last week, I was sitting outside, reading, when I overheard a conversation between two men. One of them was asking, “Warum sind diese Flüchtlinge hier? Haben sie keine Rechte?” (Why are these refugees here? Do they not have rights?). The other man responded, “Die Flüchtlinge haben genauso Rechte wie wir!” (The refugees have just as much right as we do!). It struck me how readily this kind of question comes up in everyday conversations, especially with the ongoing situation regarding refugees.

I felt a little uncomfortable, but I wanted to be respectful. I knew I couldn’t just walk up and correct them, so I just listened carefully. Later, I asked a friend, Alice, about it. She explained that “Flüchtlinge” (refugees) have the same rights as German citizens in many areas, like access to healthcare and education. “Es ist wichtig, zu verstehen, dass sie Schutz suchen.” (It’s important to understand that they are seeking protection.)

Common Phrases and Vocabulary

Here’s a little list of phrases I’ve found particularly useful:

• Menschenrechte (Human rights) – Obviously!
• Diskriminierung (Discrimination)
• Schutz (Protection)
• Rechte (Rights)
• Unrecht (Injustice)
• Ich finde das nicht in Ordnung (I don’t think that’s right)
• Ich bin gegen Diskriminierung (I’m against discrimination)

Mistakes and Corrections

I definitely made some mistakes! Early on, I kept using overly formal language when I shouldn’t have. I’d say things like “Ich bitte Sie, mir zu verzeihen,” (I beg you to forgive me) when a simple “Entschuldigung” (Excuse me) would have sufficed. It felt…over the top. I realized that Germans value directness and honesty, even if it means sometimes saying things that might feel a little uncomfortable.

Moving Forward

Learning German and understanding the conversations about human rights here has been a really eye-opening experience. It’s shown me how interconnected everything is, and how important it is to speak up and advocate for what’s right, even with just a few carefully chosen words. I’m still learning, still making mistakes, but I’m starting to feel more confident in my ability to participate in these important discussions. “Weiter so!” (Keep it up!).