Hello,
I'm looking for an English or American native speaker who could answer some questions about English language that I will not find in a dictrionary.
In return, I can explain some Polish ;-)
Metrampaz
metrampaz@o2.pl
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Hello,
I'm looking for an English or American native speaker who could answer some questions about English language that I will not find in a dictrionary.
In return, I can explain some Polish ;-)
Metrampaz
metrampaz@o2.pl
Why won't you put them here so that everybody can benefit?
It may not need to be a native speaker. After all, wasn't Joseph Conrad originally Polish? In fact, I believe he began to teach himself English at the age of 21. Not bad, considering he was one of the great masters of the English language.Quote:
Originally Posted by metrampaz
And mmasny is no slouch , either. (That's a compliment.)
Thank you very much, but I'm apparently to that good, as it's the first time for me to hear that 'no slouch' expression :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by kfredson
>>Why won't you put them here so that everybody can benefit?>>
ok. That's very nice of you ;-)) My questions often concers 'shades' of meaning between two similar expressions. Usually it is from a song or an advertisement. That is why I didn't want to bother all of you. I asked about a native speaker as I thought these are really similar expressions that only pepole who are British or American can recognize and tell the difference.
1. What's the difference between:
- I love it
- I'm loving it
[Mc Donald's]
2. What's the difference between:
- it ends here
- it ends up here
Metrampaz
As far as I understand, you are suggesting a certain limit of understanding for non-native speakers of English. You think that (maybe not out loud), but subconsciously, non-native speakers, including you, will end up against a stone wall that can't be leaped over. So, why bother ourselves to perfect our English ,thinking that the limit you have drawn is totally imaginary and nobody can say where it really is. Some of them may find a certain level of English sufficient while some of them not. It entirely depends on the individuals themselves whether to stop or keep on moving forward, but I don't think that we can make such a statement for all.Quote:
Originally Posted by metrampaz
kfredson's example says it all. Non-natives can achieve perfection and that's the evidence for that.
>>you are suggesting a certain limit of understanding for non-native speakers of English>>
To some extend you are right. There is a saying that "poetry can be written only in your mother tounge". Because the is a certain limit for a non-native speaker that s/he cannot go further. I don't mean grammar, I don't mean vocabulary. What I mean is the "feeling" of a word or an expression.
>>why bother ourselves to perfect our English>>
Why? So as to reach one's maximum. It can be different to many people and we can even say that there are so many limits (maximums) as people on the Earth. Everybody has their limit. I think we learn a different language so as to move as close to that invisible border as possible.
Metrampaz
I think it's worth it to discuss further with the contribution of other members.Quote:
Originally Posted by metrampaz
>>I think it's worth it to discuss further with the contribution of other members.>>
Sure ;-) But maybe in a different thread ;-) I like discussions but today I'm here to find some answers to my questions about: "i love it" and "i'm loving it", etc.
Metrampaz