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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by bimini on July 23, 2005, at 18:12:27
In reply to Need an english teacher ;-), posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 16:31:13
English is my third language and I am married to an english teacher, (pure co-incidence). I am irritated by his ceaseless correcting of my syntax while he is butchering grammar in my opinion.
When did you learn english, I mean how old were you when you learned and how is your pronunciation, is it noticable? Do you speak other languages?
I get asked after speaking for a while: "Are you from ahhh, Canada?" LOL there is only one continent, beyond there is utopian fiction.
bimini
Posted by Racer on July 23, 2005, at 18:45:48
In reply to Need an english teacher ;-), posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 16:31:13
As long as you're not asking for someone to read all your posts, and pick them apart, that is. I'm glad to alert you when I see something going on, though.
Probably the best thing for you, by the way, is to read things like newspapers. That won't give you much feel for more casual idiom, but it's great for just learning to feel comfortable with every day sort of language. Novels are great, too.
For what it's worth, your English seems quite good.
Take care!
Posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 19:15:07
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » Maximus, posted by ed_uk on July 23, 2005, at 17:20:09
> Hi Max!
>
> I haven't noticed any mistakes. Anyway, wouldn't it be annoying if someone corrected you?Ed, you are a real gentleman. Well, correction on-demand only? :-))
Posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 19:25:13
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-), posted by bimini on July 23, 2005, at 18:12:27
> English is my third language and I am married to an english teacher, (pure co-incidence). I am irritated by his ceaseless correcting of my syntax while he is butchering grammar in my opinion.
> When did you learn english, I mean how old were you when you learned and how is your pronunciation, is it noticable? Do you speak other languages?
Hello Bimini,Well i've learned english a little bit when i was student. I was between 10 and 17 years old. Today i learn english from the job and by the job. But still i'm far from being bilanguale.
Posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 19:38:25
In reply to Sure thing! » Maximus, posted by Racer on July 23, 2005, at 18:45:48
> As long as you're not asking for someone to read all your posts, and pick them apart, that is. I'm glad to alert you when I see something going on, though.
>
> Probably the best thing for you, by the way, is to read things like newspapers. That won't give you much feel for more casual idiom, but it's great for just learning to feel comfortable with every day sort of language. Novels are great, too.
>
Thanks Racer. I have noted your tips. From a french point of view, the english syntax is backward. When i come back at home from vacation in the states, i'm able to think directly in english. That is really amazing. I think i would have to stay longer ;-)
Posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 19:57:12
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » Maximus, posted by Jen Star on July 23, 2005, at 17:36:17
> that post sounded fine, Maximus! Please keep posting even if you're not sure of the syntax or grammar. Nobody here is perfect about it anyway!
> I'm sure we'll all get the heart of your post without perfect English.Hi Jen,
Thanks for your encouragements. You are a gem as usual. Well i hope i am understood when i write. However my english is so primitive and direct. I'm sure i may offend someone with my pseudo-sentences.
> If you really want corrections to posts, can you ask specifically about certain ones? Even though you've said you want help, I would still feel very presumptuous about suddenly taking a post of yours and correcting grammar & stuff. :)
>
Ok, i will ask for corrections as needed. That is a better idea. Anyway i can not imagine you one minute being presumptuous :-)Thanks!
The Outsider!
Posted by Phillipa on July 23, 2005, at 21:02:37
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » Jen Star, posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 19:57:12
Hi Maximus! I don't see anything wrong with your english either. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 21:51:22
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-), posted by Phillipa on July 23, 2005, at 21:02:37
> Hi Maximus! I don't see anything wrong with your english either. Fondly, Phillipa
It's because you haven't seen yet all my dictionaries and automatic translators ;-)
Bye.
Posted by sleepygirl on July 23, 2005, at 22:00:32
In reply to Need an english teacher ;-), posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 16:31:13
Bien sur, mon ami! As long as you don't mind it.
Was that first sentence right? (Of course, my friend!)
Bonnuit,
-sleepy
Posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 22:12:58
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » Maximus, posted by sleepygirl on July 23, 2005, at 22:00:32
> Bien sur, mon ami! As long as you don't mind it.
> Was that first sentence right? (Of course, my friend!)
I don't have the word in english for "accent". I mean all the é,è,ù,ô,ç,',ï,ü. Got it?Then, Bien sur, mon ami = Bien-sûr mon ami!
But it was perfect for an english keyboard configuration ;-) lol
Thanks
Posted by sleepygirl on July 23, 2005, at 22:15:22
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » Maximus, posted by sleepygirl on July 23, 2005, at 22:00:32
Is it bon nuit or bonne nuit? I hear from many people who study english as a second language that it is one of the more difficult languages. Do you think that's true? When I took French it was interesting attributing male and female characteristics to things with the le and la, and un and une. Anyway, take care.
Posted by bimini on July 23, 2005, at 22:18:16
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » bimini, posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 19:25:13
Do you dream in French?
Posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 22:31:48
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » sleepygirl, posted by sleepygirl on July 23, 2005, at 22:15:22
> Is it bon nuit or bonne nuit? I hear from many people who study english as a second language that it is one of the more difficult languages. Do you think that's true? When I took French it was interesting attributing male and female characteristics to things with the le and la, and un and une. Anyway, take care.
Yeah! You got it! It's: Bonne nuit! *One of the most difficult languages*? Frankly, i don't know. But if it does make sense i would say that French is often unnecessary difficult, but outrageously romantic.Take care!
Posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 22:41:46
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » Maximus, posted by bimini on July 23, 2005, at 22:18:16
> Do you dream in French?
Yes, definitively. But i make love in english ;-) lol Certain words are universal, isn't it?
Posted by bimini on July 23, 2005, at 23:47:58
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » bimini, posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 22:41:46
And some languages are just more suitable for swearing and cussing, LOLOL.
I learned school English starting in 5th grade. Was lousy in any language, then learned to speak it at age 20 traveling, I now dream in English.
Posted by Racer on July 24, 2005, at 0:30:14
In reply to Re: Sure thing! » Racer, posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 19:38:25
>
> >
>
>
> Thanks Racer. I have noted your tips. From a french point of view, the english syntax is backward. When i come back at home from vacation in the states, i'm able to think directly in english. That is really amazing. I think i would have to stay longer ;-)Isn't it funny? It only takes me a few days to fall back into my other language, in terms of syntax, even though I haven't spoken it regularly for decades, and hardly even read it anymore. (My vocabulary, on the other hand... *g*) And I sometimes dream in that language, although those are always anxiety dreams. In fact, as soon as I recognize that I'm not dreaming in English, I start to get anxious, because I know it's not going to be good...
And here's your first comment from me:
"When i come back at home from vacation..."
You don't need the "at" in there. Idiomatic use is "when I come home from..."And listen: considering how critical I can be of language use, you're very impressive. I think it's great that you want to improve, and think this is a great way to go about it. I may have to look into foreign bulletin boards, too...
If I ever get over this darned amotivation, that is...
Posted by Maximus on July 24, 2005, at 1:08:32
In reply to Re: Sure thing! » Maximus, posted by Racer on July 24, 2005, at 0:30:14
> "When i come back at home from vacation..."
> You don't need the "at" in there. Idiomatic use is "when I come home from..."Great. "I came home from" Florida but actually i'm at home. Noted.
> If I ever get over this darned amotivation, that is...
May i know what is your main problem - dx? SSRIs and benzos kill the motivation...
Posted by crazy teresa on July 24, 2005, at 2:12:12
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » bimini, posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 22:41:46
> > Do you dream in French?
>
> Yes, definitively. But i make love in english ;-) lol Certain words are universal, isn't it?
>
>That is so sexy, Max!
Posted by ed_uk on July 24, 2005, at 6:49:04
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » ed_uk, posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 19:15:07
Hi Max,
Trust me. Some of the worst English can be heard in England.......and some of the worst spelling too!
~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on July 24, 2005, at 6:52:06
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » sleepygirl, posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 22:12:58
>é,è,ù,ô,ç,',ï,ü.
Do you have all those cute little letters on your keyboard? I don't!
>I don't have the word in english for "accent".
LOL, it IS called an accent in English :-P
~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on July 24, 2005, at 6:56:57
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » bimini, posted by Maximus on July 23, 2005, at 22:41:46
>Certain words are universal, isn't it?
You mean.....
Certain words are universal, aren't they???
Hehehe, are you IRRITATED yet Max?! :-P
~Ed
Posted by Maximus on July 24, 2005, at 10:59:29
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » Maximus, posted by ed_uk on July 24, 2005, at 6:52:06
> >é,è,ù,ô,ç,',ï,ü.
>
> Do you have all those cute little letters on your keyboard? I don't!
Yep a necessary pain ;-)
> >I don't have the word in english for "accent".
>
> LOL, it IS called an accent in English :-P
Ah! It means the same thing... great.Thanks!
Posted by Maximus on July 24, 2005, at 11:13:21
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » Maximus, posted by ed_uk on July 24, 2005, at 6:56:57
> >Certain words are universal, isn't it?
>
> You mean.....
>
> Certain words are universal, aren't they???
Hé! Hé! I thought i could use - isn't it - every time ;-PThey are universal. Are not they?
> Hehehe, are you IRRITATED yet Max?! :-P
>Noooo! I'm learning.
Bye.
Posted by Racer on July 24, 2005, at 12:37:15
In reply to Re: Sure thing! » Racer, posted by Maximus on July 24, 2005, at 1:08:32
> > If I ever get over this darned amotivation, that is...
>
> May i know what is your main problem - dx? SSRIs and benzos kill the motivation...Ugh. Dx is Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent, currently in remission; Anxiety Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified; and Anorexia Nervosa -- although my weight if finally beyond the AN criteria, so I don't know how that would actually show up. One of the worst things is that the amotivation from medications came on at the same time as the nutritional rehabilitation was starting, so it doesn't feel so much as though the medications are causing it, but that I was right all along, I needed to maintain control over my eating, etc. When I was restricting, I got a LOT done -- I was almost constantly in motion, and had a daily list of chores that all got done, and done in proper Obsessive Compulsive manner...
Anyway, the amotivation is probably from Cymbalta, which I take along with Wellbutrin and Provigil. And I Do Not Like It.
Oh, well, today I have a bit of an excuse, I guess. I managed to show off my natural grace and poise by breaking a rib trying to get out of an armchair...
Thanks for your interest, Maximus, and you've impressed me again with your ability with languages. You caught the concept immediately, which is difficult in English.
Posted by Racer on July 24, 2005, at 12:42:27
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » ed_uk, posted by Maximus on July 24, 2005, at 11:13:21
> > >Certain words are universal, isn't it?
> >
> > You mean.....
> >
> > Certain words are universal, aren't they???
>
>
> Hé! Hé! I thought i could use - isn't it - every time ;-P
>
> They are universal. Are not they?
"Are they not?" The syntax is the hardest, is it not?As for the basic concept here, it's about making sure that the whole sentence is in agreement: if you start with a plural (they), you gotta end with a plural and a matching verb (they...are).
Of course, back when I was in college, that was something that drove the English professors out of their minds! Half the undergraduates couldn't manage that themselves. The native speakers of American English. A couple accused me of not being a native speaker, because I was more careful. (My aunt is the chief of the Grammar Police, as far as I can tell. She drilled it in to my skull...)
Good job!
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