German Story Fact-Checking [ANSWERED]
Hi guys,
Awhile back I was trying to draft a story with a character whose mother grew up in what would have been West Germany in the 1950s-1980s. I’ve now come up with a rough draft incorporating some of that information, but I would like some specific facts checked to make sure they measure up correctly and to ensure I didn’t misrepresent anything or overlook stuff.
Edit: I think I have a good handle on what I should focus on now, thanks!
Link to the piece in case anyone needs it for reference:http://sta.sh/01qn6gs9s70i
I don’t need writing advice so much as fact checking, but there were a few details I just wanted double-fact-checked:
The piece linked here takes place in America in the late 90’s-early 2000s for a timeframe/location reference. I just wanted to be sure of a few things:
1. I remember someone telling me awhile ago that it’s possible for German students studying university-level English to travel as part of an exchange program abroad to an English-speaking country to get some real-world experience. I don’t recall what age the person would be eligible for that, though. I said age 21, but I’m not sure if that’s accurate?
2. MC’s mother tries to teach him German, but he doesn’t have a huge interest in learning, so she doesn’t want to push him. It’s been about 7-8 years since the last time she tried, and written in the document is that his German is basic. His mother would want him to know how to say certain things in the event that they get separated when they take trips back to Germany now and then, but I don’t see him as fluent beyond some very simple conversation due to his lack of interest. Is that plausible?
3. Is there anything else I’m factually overlooking? I just want to be sure I’ve got everything correctly done/worded before I work more on these drafts and settle on one to use.
Thanks in advance for the help, everyone!
Search terms used: German education circa 1970s, German politics, life in Germany circa the years listed above, bilingual German/English in children, German Christmas foods
Awhile back I was trying to draft a story with a character whose mother grew up in what would have been West Germany in the 1950s-1980s. I’ve now come up with a rough draft incorporating some of that information, but I would like some specific facts checked to make sure they measure up correctly and to ensure I didn’t misrepresent anything or overlook stuff.
Edit: I think I have a good handle on what I should focus on now, thanks!
Link to the piece in case anyone needs it for reference:http://sta.sh/01qn6gs9s70i
I don’t need writing advice so much as fact checking, but there were a few details I just wanted double-fact-checked:
The piece linked here takes place in America in the late 90’s-early 2000s for a timeframe/location reference. I just wanted to be sure of a few things:
1. I remember someone telling me awhile ago that it’s possible for German students studying university-level English to travel as part of an exchange program abroad to an English-speaking country to get some real-world experience. I don’t recall what age the person would be eligible for that, though. I said age 21, but I’m not sure if that’s accurate?
2. MC’s mother tries to teach him German, but he doesn’t have a huge interest in learning, so she doesn’t want to push him. It’s been about 7-8 years since the last time she tried, and written in the document is that his German is basic. His mother would want him to know how to say certain things in the event that they get separated when they take trips back to Germany now and then, but I don’t see him as fluent beyond some very simple conversation due to his lack of interest. Is that plausible?
3. Is there anything else I’m factually overlooking? I just want to be sure I’ve got everything correctly done/worded before I work more on these drafts and settle on one to use.
Thanks in advance for the help, everyone!
Search terms used: German education circa 1970s, German politics, life in Germany circa the years listed above, bilingual German/English in children, German Christmas foods