Bridging bilingual bonds: a dad’s Greek adventure

Embracing a family’s language heritage

Christian, 40, grew up in the small southern German town of Tübingen and has lived in Stuttgart for eight years. After studying industrial engineering in Munich, he now works in technical sales for a Japanese company, a role that frequently takes him abroad.

His connection to Greek began when he met his wife, who came from Thessaloniki to Germany for work over ten years ago. Though they initially spoke English together, she quickly became fluent in German, which became their household language. Now their four-year-old son speaks both languages, with Greek often coming more naturally to him since his mother speaks it with him daily.

Taking on new grammar and daily challenges

Christian first attempted to learn Greek about eight years ago through community college courses but found himself taking long breaks that erased much of his progress. The unfamiliar alphabet was just the first hurdle – the intricate grammar with its many exceptions and the rapid pace of native speakers proved far more challenging than the English he already knew.

Watching his young son effortlessly switch between languages has become a powerful motivator. “When I hear how easily he speaks Greek with his mother and then turns to me with German, I realise I need to be more consistent with my learning,” Christian says. This time, he’s determined not to pause for too long.

Discovering little triumphs at home

Christian’s breakthrough moment came unexpectedly through everyday family interactions. “I realised I was understanding the conversations between my wife and son – simple calls across the house, bedtime reminders, daily routines. These phrases repeat and gradually sink in,” he explains. Each small comprehension victory reminds him of how much he’s absorbed just by being immersed in the language at home.

To build on this foundation, Christian now takes one-to-one lessons that accommodate his busy schedule. The flexibility allows him to book sessions when he has time, and the personalised approach means his teacher can focus specifically on his weak points. His current goal is to solidify his A2 level proficiency.

Traditions, travels and personal connections

Several times a year, Christian visits Thessaloniki and Halkidiki with his family, where his wife’s parents own an apartment by the sea. While work constraints mean he typically stays for just three weeks, his wife and son sometimes spend up to three months there during summer – a total immersion that further advances his son’s Greek fluency.

Outside language learning, Christian enjoys sports, including martial arts, and maintains a 160-litre aquarium with 20-30 fish – a hobby that delights his son. “He loves looking at the fish together,” Christian says. His connection to Greek culture extends beyond language to food (he particularly enjoys gyros and freddo espresso) and traditions, including attending the Greek Orthodox church in Stuttgart for Easter celebrations.

Building deeper cultural bridges

One of Christian’s most meaningful cultural experiences was his traditional Greek wedding in Thessaloniki in 2021, which also included his son’s baptism. “It was completely different from German ceremonies,” he recalls. “The priest actually immersed our one-year-old in water rather than just sprinkling it, which was quite dramatic. And during the wedding, we had the ritual with rings connected by string that are exchanged behind the head, followed by the priest leading us in circles. Then of course, there was the traditional rice-throwing when we exited the church.”

With Stuttgart’s large Greek community – established decades ago by automotive industry workers – Christian has plenty of opportunities to practice. Now, when he speaks with his in-laws or attends community events, he’s no longer just observing but gradually participating in his family’s cultural heritage.

For anyone starting to learn Greek, Christian’s advice is simple: “Be clear about why you’re learning the language – that helps with motivation. Then stick with it consistently, even if progress seems slow.”