Lost in Translation: Why I Write in English Despite Being German (With a Dash of Spanish Flavor)

Youā€™d think with German precision and Spanish passion, Iā€™d be writing in one of those languagesā€”but nope, here I am, typing away in English!

I was born in Germany to very Spanish parents. My mother, a Spanish teacher with a big love for cooking, whips up everything from elegant dinners to ā€˜basicā€™ Spanish staples like her famous paella, cocido, and tortillas. Letā€™s just say her food is legendary in our house. My dad, before he retired, was a skilled chemical workerā€”a teddy bear of a man with the heart of a proud toreador. Growing up, our home was loud, intense, warm, and always filled with the delicious smells of Spanish cuisine. It was a constant balancing act, being Spanish at home while growing up in Germany. If I had to describe myself, Iā€™d say Iā€™m a perfect mix of both cultures.

So, why donā€™t I write in my native languages? Good question.

The Year That Changed Everything (and My Accent)

At 19, fresh out of school, I decided it was time to leave my bi-cultural home and throw a third culture into the mix. So, I packed my bags and headed to America to work as an Au Pair. I ended up in Massachusetts with a wonderful family that quickly became my own. My host mom, Linda, was a schoolteacher with a brilliant way of correcting my Englishā€”sheā€™d simply repeat my sentences back to me the right way, without ever making me feel self-conscious.

ā€œSo, you went to the movies yesterday?ā€ sheā€™d ask, her tone both warm and encouraging, turning every conversation into a mini English lesson.

Living with a schoolteacher, a mostly silent host dad, and two very outgoing boys was like being in a daily language boot camp. If you donā€™t learn the language there, where on earth will you?

Reading and Watching My Way to (Almost) Native

As a child, I was always a bit of a bookworm (but thatā€™s another story for another day). My love for reading grew exponentially when I lived in America. Linda was an avid reader and loved sharing her books with me. Her passion rubbed off, and before I knew it, I was hooked. This was the beginning of my book collectionā€”a collection thatā€™s now grown into a small library of over a thousand books (90 percent are in English).

I became obsessed with yard sales, thrift shops, and any place that had a stack of books for sale. If they had books, I bought them. My luggage went back to Germany heavier by a few poundsā€¦okay, maybe a hundred.

After a year, it was time to leaveā€”I had a spot waiting for me at university, where I studied Drama, American Studies, and German. By then, my accent was nearly perfect; you could hardly tell I wasnā€™t from around. People were always surprised when I told them I was from Germany. But when I got back home, the hardest part was the language.

I couldnā€™t bear to watch movies or TV shows in German anymore. Back then, I had to buy VHS tapes from the UK just to watch Friends in English. When DVDs with language options came, they were a godsend! I know, I know, itā€™s hard to imagine now with streaming services at our fingertips, but back then it was a struggle! Over the last 30 years, Iā€™ve read hundreds of books in English and watched all my movies and shows in English. So, my mind and soul pretty much feel native. But letā€™s face it: if you donā€™t speak English every day, youā€™ll hear it. And of course, thereā€™s an accent nowā€”trust me, I hear it too. Sometimes Iā€™m searching for words, mixing in a little German or Spanish. But hey, speaking three languages fluently isnā€™t too shabby, right?

The Decision to Write in English (And Yes, Blame It on Hollywood)

Honestly, writing in English feels like a no-brainer. English is my spirit animal.
And even though Iā€™m still far from it, when I think about self-publishing my books, letā€™s be real: the English-speaking world is like the cool kidā€™s table of literature. English just makes sense for accessibility and market reach. And I canā€™t deny itā€”I dream of seeing my books sold in New York Cityā€™s Strand Bookstore someday. Probably on the bargain table. But hey, Iā€™ll take it!

Embracing the Accent and the English Word Count

So here I am, writing away in English, fueled by a lifetime of multicultural experiences, countless books, and a passion that transcends language. My journey with English isnā€™t just about grammar or accentā€”itā€™s about finding a voice that feels true to me, no matter how many languages swirl in my head.

Sure, when I speak my accent might give away my roots, and sometimes I mix up words or phrases, but thatā€™s part of the charm, isnā€™t it? Writing in English allows me to connect with a wider audience, share my stories, and, letā€™s be honest, itā€™s also a little rebellion against my inner critic who still whispers, ā€œStick to what you know.ā€ Well, I know this: stories donā€™t need perfect grammar, just a little heart, some courage, and maybe a hint of an accent.

So, whether you hear a bit of German, a dash of Spanish, or just my passion for English in my words, I hope youā€™ll find a story worth reading. After all, the real magic happens when you dare to write in the language that speaks to your soulā€”even if itā€™s not the one you were born with.

Copyright: Ā© Image created through Artbreeder.

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