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Old 30-Mar-2008, 07:21
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Smile Is this understandable

Hi, dear experts. I wrote a description of Bulgarians. Do you find it easy to understand? Is my English OK?

Though Bulgarians grovel before those higher up the ladder, they have no respect for them, and criticize everything they do, even their decisions.
Bulgarians behave with servility to social superiors, seek their friendship and company, invite them to name day and birthday parties, give presents to their families, show admiration for those of higher rank. As soon as they go home, they become themselves again, and feel free to speak what they really mean, which is usually the opposite of what they have said earlier.
Bulgarians stop to show respect to their former superiors the moment they fall out of power.
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Old 30-Mar-2008, 07:41
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Default Re: Is this understandable

Though Bulgarians

grovel : far too strong a word


are obsequious toward those higher up the ladder, they have no respect for them, and criticize everything they do,

even their decisions. : since those in authority routinely DO make decisions - that's why they are higher up - to single it out seems odd. After 'even', one expects something very trivial and that even that gets criticised. Perhaps, "particularly their decisions"


Bulgarians behave with servility to social superiors, seeking their friendship and company, inviting them to christenings and birthday parties, giving presents to their families, and showing admiration for those of higher rank. No sooner home and they become themselves again, feel free to speak their mind, usually the opposite of what they had expressed earlier.
However, this respect ceases the moment their former superiors fall out of power.
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Old 30-Mar-2008, 09:48
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Smile Re: Is this understandable

Thank you very much, David. You were most helpful.
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Old 30-Mar-2008, 12:30
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Default Re: Is this understandable

Quote:
Originally Posted by snade17 View Post
Hi, dear experts. I wrote a description of Bulgarians. Do you find it easy to understand? Is my English OK?


Bulgarians stop to show respect to their former superiors the moment they fall out of power.
Bulgarians STOP SHOWING respect etc
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Old 30-Mar-2008, 13:13
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Smile Re: Is this understandable

Thank you very much, Naomimalan.
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Old 30-Mar-2008, 17:46
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Default Re: Is this understandable

'stop showing' is a little too colloquial, and changes the meaning slightly.

Instead of 'ceases' you could use the word 'evaporates' which would be a very good substitute and I recommend it!
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Old 30-Mar-2008, 19:51
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Smile Re: Is this understandable

Yes! Thank you, David! "Evaporate" is the word.
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Old 01-Apr-2008, 16:33
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Default Re: Is this understandable

[quote=David L.;272761]'stop showing' is a little too colloquial, and changes the meaning slightly.

Are you joking?
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Old 01-Apr-2008, 16:40
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Default Re: Is this understandable

Perhaps you would care to share the 'joke' you find in my comment? It eludes me.
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Old 02-Apr-2008, 11:32
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Default Re: Is this understandable

Quote:
Originally Posted by David L. View Post
Perhaps you would care to share the 'joke' you find in my comment? It eludes me.

Bulgarians STOP TO SHOW respect to their former superiors the moment they fall out of power.
(SNADE17’S POST)


Bulgarians STOP SHOWING respect etc (MY REACTION TO IT)

'stop showing' is a little too colloquial, and changes the meaning slightly. (YOUR REPLY.)
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