A passion for video games has inspired 19-year-old Emirati, Ahmed Shaheen Khalisdar, to learn German. His enthusiasm for gaming, combined with the integrated software systems used to connect players and manage data in multiplayer games, has fostered continual communication with German players, enabling him to immerse himself in their language and culture. This experience motivated Ahmed to establish an Instagram account aimed at showcasing the culture and history of the United Arab Emirates to both German and international audiences.
A Journey into Linguistic Exploration
In a recent interview with “Emirates Today,” Ahmed shared, “The idea of learning German came to me when I accessed one of the German gaming platforms, which I found to be better organised and had a faster response time than other systems I used.” Initially, he knew a few basic words from a language learning application, such as “Schnell” (faster), “?Was machst du” (What are you doing?), and “Los” (come on). He started by playing without speaking, focusing more on listening, and gradually picked up vocabulary and phrases used by other players. Ahmed even participated in an English-language podcast where he spoke a few German phrases and discussed his journey to mastering the language, representing a significant milestone in his language abilities that extends beyond the gaming world.
Community and Cultural Exchange
Ahmed’s motivation to learn German is deeply rooted in his love for languages, which he believes has propelled his efforts. He stated, “My fondness for languages has always been a strong motivation to learn German. Video games encouraged me to communicate with players and understand their language directly, as there often isn’t enough time to think or rely on translation.” This not only aided his language acquisition but also opened avenues for engaging with others about his Emirati culture. “I’ve received numerous inquiries about our customs and lifestyle in the UAE. The gaming environment has evolved into a space for knowledge exchange, prompting me to create an Instagram account to reach a larger audience interested in Emirati culture,” he explained.
Constant Practice and Future Aspirations
Despite not having visited Germany yet, Ahmed maximises every opportunity to practise the German language, whether through meeting German friends or interacting with tourists and residents. He advises anyone wishing to learn a new language to focus on consistent practice, emphasising, “It’s a challenge to maintain language skills, whether it comes to vocabulary or phrases.” He remains committed to continuing his German language journey, aiming for fluency. “Learning a language opens a window to a new culture and helps build bridges of communication that wouldn’t exist otherwise,” he concluded.