Fotos: Bernd Brundert; Richard M Lee/Shutterstock.com; hdere/iStock.com76 Spotlight 13/2019 MY LIFE IN ENGLISH
Why is English important to you?
It’s my gateway to the world.When was your first English lesson, and
what can you remember about it?
When I was eight, my mother taught
me to say “I like you” to my first holiday
crush.Who is your favourite English-language
actor, writer or musician?
The American author Sidney Sheldon
(1917–2007). His stories are so vivid that
there’s a whole universe in my head. His
writing can tie me to a book for hours. My
favourite novel so far is The Naked Face.Which song could you sing at least a few
lines of in English?
Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful”:
“We are beautiful, in every single way.
Yes, words can’t bring us down.”What is your favourite food from the
English-speaking world?
I’m frequently inspired by Jamie Oliver,
and I very often make his Irish mackerel
breakfast with poached eggs.Which person from the English-
speaking world (living or dead) would
you most like to meet?
Dr Joe Dispenza. His book You Are the
Placebo had a huge effect on my life. After
reading it, I attended one of his seminars
and learned meditation. Everyone who is
interested in the powers of self-healing
and what meditation does to the brain
should read his book or watch some of
his interviews.If you could be any place in the English-
speaking world right now, where would
it be?
Backpacking on the South Island of New
Zealand! I did that five years ago and the
trip was wild, beautiful and full of little
adventures.Which is your favourite city in the
English-speaking world?
Melbourne, Australia, where the Great
Ocean Road starts. I shot a movie there
and have some unforgettable memories.Have you ever worked in an English-
speaking environment? If so, where?
I was lucky enough to get the leading role
in a play at the Arcola Theatre in London.
The city, the play and the people I met
there amazed me.When did you last use English (before
answering this questionnaire)?
Just 10 minutes ago, with my Russian
friend Elena. I met her at a festival.What was your funniest experience in
English?
I once said in a restaurant: “I would love
the mousse au chocolat for desert.”What is your favourite English word?
“Moxie” — force of character, determi-
nation. This word immediately gives me
a push of power. Let’s do it with sparkle
and moxie!Do you practise English and, if so, how?
Reading is the key for me. It doesn’t feel
like an exercise. I sometimes read aloud
to practise my pronunciation. And there’s
a BBC podcast I listen to: The English We
Speak. It has short, funny episodes about
idioms and misunderstandings.Is there anything in your home from the
English-speaking world?
A whole shelf of books by Sidney Sheldon.What would be your motto in English?
“Trust the unknown.” For me, it’s a spell
for life. If I trust that everything that hap-
pens to me is for my own good in the end
and that even difficult situations and bad
shocks are only exercises, then nothing
can happen to me.backpacking
[(bÄkpÄkIN]
, auf Rucksacktour sein
crush [krVS] ifml.
, Schwarm
desert [(dezEt]
, Wüste (dessert
[di(z§:t] – Nachtisch)
determination
[di)t§:mI(neIS&n]
, Entschlossenheit
gateway [(geItweI]
, To r, E i n g a n gmackerel [(mÄkrEl]
, Makrelen-
moxie [(mQksi]
N. Am. ifml.
, Ta t k r a f t
poached egg [pEUtSt (eg]
, verlorenes Ei
sparkle [(spA:k&l]
, Funkeln
spell [spel]
, Zauberformel
vivid [(vIvId]
, lebendig, anschaulichMY LIFE IN ENGLISH
Sarah Alles
Die Schauspielerin („Kreuzfahrt ins Glück“)
über Inspiration in der Kunst, beim Essen und im Leben.
MEDIUM