Author Topic: Dear Expert (Read 150921 times)

Neutros the Radioactive Dragon · « **Reply #25 on:** May 17, 2010, 08:44:52 PM »

*shudder*

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #26 on:** May 18, 2010, 03:14:18 AM »

Quote

I can't help but at the exchange.

It reminds me so much of my own forum experiences.

I'm not at all amused by it. I find the whole thing upsetting. I wish there was some way I could re-do it or undo it. Instead, everyone is watching and commenting on Rivka's hurt feelings and my embarrassment.

Scott R · « **Reply #27 on:** May 18, 2010, 06:33:33 AM »

I know. It's like no one even notices how hawt I am!

What's up with that?

rivka · « **Reply #28 on:** May 18, 2010, 07:51:47 AM »

Oh dear, Scott. Are you ill? Feverish, I gather?

Neutros the Radioactive Dragon · « **Reply #29 on:** May 18, 2010, 07:58:28 AM »

Recently I got caught, apparently, in a crusade against the misuse of the the word ironic. Not wanting to debate semantics, especially without reference materials at hand, I just rolled over.

But it irked me, as I was pretty sure I'd used it in the correct manner.

I had described a situation as ironic that an old tormentor from high school had turned out recently to be an ally and supporter for me.

"It's kind of ironic that she and I are friends now."

I was suddenly subject to a tirade about the misuse of irony that had been discussed with another of my co-converser's friends, and that I was patently wrong in its use.

What the ...?

Neutros the Radioactive Dragon · « **Reply #30 on:** May 18, 2010, 09:04:30 AM »

So... you're all quite, then.

I was using it incorrectly...?

*properly chastised*

Neutros the Radioactive Dragon · « **Reply #31 on:** May 18, 2010, 09:08:07 AM »

I find this ironic as well, though I'm probably misusing the term.

dkw · « **Reply #32 on:** May 18, 2010, 09:12:14 AM »

You were within the dictionary definition of the word, which includes an outcome that is unexpected or the opposite of what would be expected.

I suspect your antangonist wants the use of the word irony to be limited to the more restricted definition of using words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning.

Neutros the Radioactive Dragon · « **Reply #33 on:** May 18, 2010, 09:18:45 AM »

That's what I think as well. Thanks!

Jonathon · « **Reply #34 on:** May 18, 2010, 09:20:39 AM »

Yeah, I think some people are just hypersensitive to perceived misuse of the word "irony".

Scott R · « **Reply #35 on:** May 18, 2010, 09:47:45 AM »

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Oh dear, Scott. Are you ill? Feverish, I gather?

No,no-- I'm Fine.

Jonathon · « **Reply #36 on:** May 18, 2010, 10:03:29 AM »

*backs away slowly*

rivka · « **Reply #37 on:** May 18, 2010, 10:56:44 AM »

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Yeah, I think some people are just hypersensitive to perceived misuse of the word "irony".

Which is just a tad . . .

No, I won't do it.

Jonathon · « **Reply #38 on:** May 18, 2010, 11:12:01 AM »

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Which is just a tad . . .

. . . like rain on your wedding day? Why, yes. Yes it is.

rivka · « **Reply #39 on:** May 18, 2010, 12:03:18 PM »

Neutros the Radioactive Dragon · « **Reply #40 on:** May 21, 2010, 07:59:46 AM »

Non English Question here:

In Japanese, what is the literal translation of "watashi-wa" and what are the kanji for it?

fugu13 · « **Reply #41 on:** May 21, 2010, 09:08:18 AM »

??

A way of saying "I..." when speaking fairly formally (keigo). Used by girls a lot more than guys. As a non-Japanese guy, you probably don't ever want to use this unless you're very unambiguously in a formal situation (edit: because if you use it in the wrong situation, you'll sound like a girl, and Japanese people think that's hilarious).

Scott R · « **Reply #42 on:** May 21, 2010, 09:23:48 AM »

Is there anything fugu doesn't know?

Neutros the Radioactive Dragon · « **Reply #43 on:** May 21, 2010, 09:43:41 AM »

Ah. This makes perfect sense now. Thanks.

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #44 on:** May 21, 2010, 10:45:16 AM »

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Is there anything fugu doesn't know?

Nope. He's our Expert du Jour.

Annie Subjunctive · « **Reply #45 on:** May 23, 2010, 04:33:36 PM »

OK, for whichever experts are about:

How wold you explain this grammar pattern to second language learners?

Rarely does a house constructed using mostly recyclable materials cause environmental problems

How would you explain that rarely/seldom does.... verb pattern? It's straight out of their infernal textbook, but the infernal textbook is in Chinese and I'm having a hard time thinking of other examples.

The Genuine · « **Reply #46 on:** May 23, 2010, 05:15:22 PM »

I think it's a Yoda-esque construction that doesn't strike us natives as Yoda-esque because it is so particularly common.

"Often," "never," etc. would work well in place of "rarely" too. Something to do with frequency makes it okay.

However, "Sloppily does the handyman construct his cabinets" sounds like Yoda.

dkw · « **Reply #47 on:** May 23, 2010, 06:14:07 PM »

It also only sounds non Yoda-esque when the subject includes a descriptive phrase.

"Rarely does Jane ride the bus" sounds odd. "Rarely does a woman who owns a flashy sports car ride the bus" doesn't.

Annie Subjunctive · « **Reply #48 on:** May 23, 2010, 06:33:40 PM »

I don't think any of those sound like Yoda, they just sound like slightly outmoded English.

What's the rule behind it though? That's what I need to explain to the students.

The Genuine · « **Reply #49 on:** May 23, 2010, 06:42:50 PM »

I think "Jane rarely rides the bus" sounds best.

But if you need to use "does," your construction sounds better than "Jane does ride the bus rarely" or "Jane does rarely ride the bus."