Messages

1

English & Linguistics / Foreign phrases

« on: March 09, 2009, 02:17:06 PM »

we were revising idiomatic expressions in French today, and once again I am amazed at how many Polish idioms are literal translations of French. it must be due to the fact that French was widely spoken in artistocratic circles in the 17th/18th century, but really, if you want to use a Polish idiom in French, you have a really good chance of being understood.

just from today's lesson:
- se laisser mener par le bout du nez
- savoir sur le bout des doigts
- tirer le diable par la queue
- jeter l'argent par la fenetre
- avoir les jambes de laine (although we say cottonwool)
-un coup de foudre (speaking of love at first sight etc)

2

English & Linguistics / Foreign phrases

« on: March 09, 2009, 12:06:42 PM »

what do they call that phenomenon?

calque

3

English & Linguistics / Foreign phrases

« on: March 09, 2009, 11:03:42 AM »

Is English coming into these languages because the langauges don't have adequate words for the ideas, or because English is the lingua franca and therefore somewhat cool?

yes, but I'd say mostly the first two reasons. Consider the IT sector. It is full of English words, because IT work is done in English, and there isn't neither time nor will to translate the terms into all the other languages. IT people think in English. The cool factor has nothing to do with this. Same with a lot of other professional fields.

The cool factor comes into play with youth-oriented products, mostly.  

4

English & Linguistics / Foreign phrases

« on: March 08, 2009, 12:56:27 PM »

on the other hand, think of all the poor languages that need to accomodate all the new English words.

5

English & Linguistics / If you could speak any language fluently . . .

« on: September 16, 2005, 03:41:46 AM »

English?

*hides*

6

English & Linguistics / Dear Expert

« on: May 07, 2005, 10:12:05 AM »

Why is it "welcomed" and not "welcame"?

hopefully,

Kama

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English & Linguistics / Quick quiz

« on: March 15, 2005, 04:34:49 AM »

ask as many experts as you possibly can, then copy all their responses and send them to Chicago.

 

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English & Linguistics / Quick quiz

« on: March 14, 2005, 12:21:02 PM »

good to know I didn't spend 5 years at university for nothin.

9

English & Linguistics / Linguistically Complete

« on: January 06, 2005, 12:57:36 PM »

I PRETTY    

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English & Linguistics / Linguistically Complete

« on: January 06, 2005, 07:18:02 AM »

Well, we haven't asked an actual Russian person about this, but 90% of my collegues here at work learned Russian at school, and say it doesn't have "to be".
At least in a way you'd use when saying "I am here", or "I am pretty".

11

English & Linguistics / Forum Group Names

« on: November 17, 2004, 01:24:56 PM »

Ninja!!!!!!!!!


 :fear:  

12

English & Linguistics / Quoting

« on: October 29, 2004, 12:34:27 AM »

Okay, how about these, Icky?

We have repeatedly questioned the Engineer’s authority to instruct acceleration and the fact he considers his demands for double shifts does not constitute acceleration is mere semantics that in our view justifies our decision to proceed only at rates of production upon which our tender was based.

Your reference to and explanation of GCC Clause 55, whilst being interesting, was somewhat otiose in that we are fully conversant with the terms of the Contract and how they are to be applied/administered.

Whilst acknowledging there may have been an agreed procedure, the aspect of our being made aware of all amendments and given the opportunity to resolve, was not happening in recent months.

Until such time as we have such consent we are unable to place a subcontract with the result that this critical preparatory activity of Bridge E(Mo)019 works, and indeed the Bridge itself, is held in abeyance.

In so saying, it must be clearly understood that such additional information as may come available will only be to supplement that already in your possession and upon which, we believe, your instruction as to how to improve the sub-grade could have already been issued.

13

English & Linguistics / Quoting

« on: October 28, 2004, 12:43:54 PM »

It's not like the original was copyrighted; it's just that you want them to feel like you actually listened, right?

Yup.

(Now, how important is it that the original sentence makes very little sense to me?

Most of them do. See what I have to translate?

One day, I'll pick some of the more interesting ones and post here.  :ph34r:  

14

English & Linguistics / Quoting

« on: October 28, 2004, 01:59:27 AM »

I have a problem with this. I understand that since I am quoting someone, I am not supposed to change anything. But what do do in the case when the quoted sentence contains personal pronouns, which may be the subject of misunderstanding?

Example:

We totally refute your allegation regarding our “...refusal to discuss your questions concerning our amendments to your VOR payment schedule at Commercial Meeting”.

In the middle of the sentence, we switch from our meaning us to our meaning them.

One idea would be to just leave out the quotations marks and write:

We totally refute your allegation regarding our refusal to discuss our questions concerning your amendments to our VOR payment schedule at Commercial Meeting”.

But what do I do when I want to keep it as a quotation, but avoid misunderstanding as to who exactly is "we" and who is "you"?
 

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English & Linguistics / "I speak a foreign language." How do you respond?

« on: October 18, 2004, 01:40:32 PM »

It's nice to know Portuguese swearwords when you're working in a Portuguese company.

At least you know you're being talked dirty to. Not that I ever was.