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SarahRTW

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Everything posted by SarahRTW

  1. Hi everyone. Thanks for your additions and examples. I especially like the Animal Farm one - definitely one of my favorites too! Here are some others: A line in a song I like says "even the distance feels so near" The next line explains and makes sense of the contradiction "all for the love of you." Its the love of the other person that makes distance seem like it's close. A good inversion of how people say distance feels further from someone you love. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliette is full of Paradoxes and its cousin, the oxymoron. "Fiend Angelical" "Beautiful Tyrant" (it likely would be considered one when it was written) "The silence was deafening" refers to a very noticeable quietness, usually of tension or expectation. Any others to add.
  2. A paradox is a type of figurative language (language that means something other than what it actually says) where two contradictory works are placed side by side. Generally, they don't make much sense on initial reading, but considered further and in context, actually have some logic to them: Cruel Kindness: Think "tough love"...it means sometimes you have to be strict and firm out of love. Bittersweet: means that something has a positive and negative side to it. A bittersweet victory could be when you won only by luck or only because the other competitors performed badly. In Canada there was a political part with the paradoxical name "Progressive Conservative". This meant that they would move forward (progress) while keeping the best of society in tact (conserve).
  3. if people only used literal language, it would be very easy to understand. Literal language are words and phrases that mean exactly what they say. If it's the middle of summer and you area very hot, speaking literally, you would say "I am very hot!" However, people don't always speak literally. Most often, they speak figurative, and this is where language gets 'fun.' Figurative language means something other than what it says. Sarcasm, similes, idioms and metaphors are all types of figurative language. The best, and only, way to understand figurative language is by context - the way in which it is used. For example, going back to that very hot day...figuratively you could say "it's a bit hot out side" (verbal irony) or you could exaggerate and say "I almost died of heat" What are types of figurative language that you know and use often?
  4. I like big words, and I cannot lie Infinitesimal = extremely small Phantasmagorical (one of my all-time faves) = fantastic, fantasy-like events or images. Something surreal. Elephantine = very huge, like an elephant
  5. The best way to learn is to use it. Your pronunciation at first won't be perfect. You'll make mistakes but that's OK. That's what learning is about. when I was living in Spain, I took Spanish lessons and made a point of speaking Spanish everywhere and to almost everyone. SOmetimes I'd mess up or not be understood, but I used it and improved (and everyone was always really nice about my obvious beginner skills) meanwhile, the students who only spoke in class and only when they had to didn't learn much at all. I also agree with people who say to read and listen to real-world use, such as books, TV shows etc. It gives you the real way people speak rather than the perfect and clear examples of a lesson. Of course, different people learn different ways. So the best way is really the way that works for you.
  6. English developed out of Early German(ic), which is why there are so many similarities between the two. When I was in Germany, I was able to figure out many signs because of this sameness. Of course, many language borrow from others, and English is no exception. As the members have pointed out, there are many loan words. Ersatz, which someone mentioned already, is one of my favorites.
  7. I haven't taught English, but I have had freelance jobs writing ESL companies, which I enjoyed vary much. The process of learning to teach English taught me a lot about my language that I never knew or had never considered.
  8. I'm Sarah, I'm a language geek and proud of it I am a native English speaker with training in teaching ESL. I also speak French, though its rusty and know Spanish (lower-intermediate level). I'm here to help people learn English (it's not easy but it can be mastered) as well as to improve my French and especially Spanish skills. This looks like a terrific forum and I look forward to learning and helping.
  9. Idioms are nonliteral expressions, which makes them confusing enough. However, something the same word or similar phrase has entirely different, even opposite meanings. Here is one of the best examples of this; THE BOMB "That concert was the BOMB" If something is 'the bomb' it means that it is the absolute best. TO BOMB something "Man, I BOMBED That test!" If you bomb something (usually a test or similar), it means you fail it miserably. TO DROP A BOMBSHELL "when my boss told me I was fired, he really dropped a bombshell on me" This means that something or someone astounded you or you were caught unprepared and by surprise. This idiom usually refers to some news or unexpected development. There are others, of course. Which idioms can you name that use the same word(s) in many different ways? Do you know what it means?
  10. There other have given good information, I'm going to try to reinforce it by explaining the answers 1 What on earth have you done / made with my computer? The way this question is asked implied frustration and puzzlement. The context is likely that someone either can't find the computer, or it's not working properly and they accusing the other of breaking it. Therefore, DONE is the best answer. In another context, MADE could be acceptable too. However, this type of questions indicates "done" to me. 2 It is very annoying to play with Vanessa. She makes / does such a fuss if she doesn't win. Makes a fuss is an idiom, a non-literal expression. Really, you don't create a fuss, but in English we say you do can use 'make'. 3 The visiting foreign dignitaries were invited to make / do speeches about the ceremonial opening of Parliament. Speeches are created (then delivered - i.e. spoken) so we use "make" in this context. 4 If you agreed, you would be doing / making me a favour. A favour is an action rather a creative process, so "doing" is the correct answer here. 5 They will hear us and call the police, if you do / make any noise. Noise is created, so it's "do" in this case. 6 A short rest would make / do you an awful lot of good. This is another idiom: "To do someone good" means it will help them in some way. DO is the answer here. 7 Well, there just isn't any Coca-Cola in the fridge. You will have to make / do without. Again, it's an idiom, so you can't think of it literally. It means you need to accept something is not available. 8 My mother always makes /does the beds straight after breakfast. You could say "does" here and it would be OK, but most English speakers will use "make the bed", which means to straight the sheets and pull them up to the top (not create an actual bed, as the idiom suggests) 9 He's having a new suit made / done, as he really cares about his outfit. This is a creative process, a suit needs to be cut, sewn etc. Thus "made" is the proper answer. 10 What do you feel like making / doing this weekend? Walking? Eating out? Activities on the weekend are not a creative process, but an action. therefore use "doing".
  11. It's alright for translating basic, short documents. However, for anything extensive or more complicated its usefulness is seriously limited. I was doing some work writing tourist information recently and tried using it to decipher international websites. The translation was sketchy at best (I suspect the translation of specific terms was incorrect, based on the context) and incomprehensible at worst. I have also had issues with it proving a word that actually doesn't exist in the language. That said, if all I wanted was to read an email in a foreign language, it's good for that. It's good if I just want a basic sentence or phrase translated. It's also better than other translators I have seen. Overall, I'd give it maybe 6/10.
  12. Too = an excessive amount (You have too many toys) Too = also (Its too cold in Winter) Two = The Number 2 (I have two cats) To = MANY meanings. Here are some examples 1. Direction between or towards something (I am going to the store) 2. Part of a verb infinitive ("to be", "to go")
  13. It can be difficult, but gets easier with practice. It would be easier to help you, as the previous poster said, if you have an example of a sentence. From what you said, it could be a comma splice (two complete sentences incorrectly joined by a comma, instead of a semicolon or made into two separate sentences with a period) Please give an example so we can help you in detail.
  14. They are the same. The difference in spelling is simply due to regional variations: British English v American Spelling. There are other words, such as excercize, exercise that are similarly variable. Generally, words ending with /ize/ are British and words ending in /ise/ are American. Canadian spelling usually uses the same as British, with a few variations. I hope this helps!
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