01-27-2009, 08:20 AM | #46 | |
The Introvert
Posts: 8,307
Karma: 1000077497
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500
|
I absolutely agree. You make a good point.
I believe it was a huge mistake to abdicate "the formal study of English grammar" in the UK. I also believe it is less than helpful in case they want to study a foreign language because you must understand the structure of your own language in order to learn a new one. P.S. And what is a difference between Quote:
|
|
01-27-2009, 08:25 AM | #47 | |
The Introvert
Posts: 8,307
Karma: 1000077497
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500
|
Quote:
Well, maybe I am stupid and for other people it is easier to learn the language and get at least 5.000 vocabulary in order to read fictiopn and actually enjoy it (not just understand it). Ah, just more question Is there a difference between: Hug me and Give me a hug? If, yes, what is a difference (it is a serious question, I am not trying to be funny) |
|
Advert | |
|
01-27-2009, 08:34 AM | #48 | |
Sir Penguin of Edinburgh
Posts: 12,375
Karma: 23555235
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DC Metro area
Device: Shake a stick plus 1
|
Quote:
|
|
01-27-2009, 08:34 AM | #49 | |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Quote:
"I will go" is a subjunctive, and has the meaning "it is my intention to go", but with the underlying implication "but something may prevent me from doing so", eg "if it's not raining tomorrow, I will go to the library." |
|
01-27-2009, 08:38 AM | #50 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
There's no difference. Both are "imperatives" - commands to tell somebody to do something. In the first, "Hug" is being used as a verb, in the second, as a noun. The overall meaning, however, is the same.
|
Advert | |
|
01-27-2009, 09:40 AM | #51 | |
Beepbeep n beebeep, yeah!
Posts: 11,726
Karma: 8255450
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin, aka America's IceBox
Device: iThingie, KmkII, I miss Zelda!
|
Quote:
I shall go to the loo when the proper time has advanced. |
|
01-27-2009, 10:02 AM | #52 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 9,707
Karma: 32763414
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Krewerd
Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
|
Not exactly that. It's just that some things can't be translated. I heard an example last night, but can't remember it!
|
01-27-2009, 10:12 AM | #53 | ||||
Final Five n°42
Posts: 789
Karma: 3599
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lyon, France
Device: Cybook Gen3
|
Quote:
I read frenquently in english and in italian (including essays). You don't need to know a language as well for other forms of culture, such as subtitled movies and songs, for instance. These are the main providers of foreign culture, these days. Quote:
Quote:
I recently read (in italian) an essay from Umberto Eco about his experiences in translation, and it was a very interesting read. If I can, I tend to read books in their original language if I feel that the translation might have lessened the quality. Quote:
Here is an example : the original text was speaking about scientists taking "training courses" in order to increase their knowledge in their field of study. The translated text was "courses de trains", which means "train races". A good translator not only has a good formal knowledge of a language but also a good knowledge of the culture of the author. This allows him to understand expressions and references and to try to adapt them to his intended audience. |
||||
01-27-2009, 10:16 AM | #54 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
There's the classic story of the translator who translated the English expression "out of sight, out of mind" as "invisible, insane" .
|
01-27-2009, 10:19 AM | #55 |
zeldinha zippy zeldissima
Posts: 27,827
Karma: 921169
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Paris, France
Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?
|
that's actually a good example of the difficulties of translation for another reason ; that expression exists in a slightly different form in french. a good translator would have to know both languages well enough to realize not only the figurative meaning of the expression, but also that the french form of it would be "far from the eyes, far from the heart" ("loin des yeux, loin du coeur"). and vice versa, of course.
|
01-27-2009, 10:21 AM | #56 | |
Beepbeep n beebeep, yeah!
Posts: 11,726
Karma: 8255450
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin, aka America's IceBox
Device: iThingie, KmkII, I miss Zelda!
|
Quote:
|
|
01-27-2009, 10:42 AM | #57 | |
MR Drone
Posts: 1,613
Karma: 15612282
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DRONEZONE
Device: PB360+, Huawei MP5, Libra H20
|
TO Pipe in My three Cents: mochiron.....
Well, I have followed this thread for a while and would like to comment on several things. However, I will just put in a few ideas. I have to Disagree with you Astra on your opinion about wasting time to learn another language. For me Language is Culture. It is an intrinsic part of said culture and also affects and effects the very way a person thinks. I have a friend who is Maori here in Japan. A man asked him why he tried to keep up his Maori tongue even though he had lived in Japan for years. He said "It's me. It's my culture and it is my mind". I think that helps state the importance of Language.
I lived for 7 years in Russia. I speak Russian and have read about 20 novels in Russian. I think the knowledge of another Language is vital if one has the opportunity to attain the knowledge and speak it at a conversational level. As a bonus one can read novels watch movies or listen to the radio in said language. For example. I take the time to listen to Russian, Spanish, and French via podcasts every week on the web. As for Only reading about another culture or country. Yes, you can learn a lot but you can not understand the culure as well. I am no pro at understanding Russian culture. However, I have met people with PHDs in Russian history and Literature who can not have a long conversation in Russian. Yet, some of these people tell me about how Russians think and how their culture works?!... hidari Quote:
|
|
01-27-2009, 10:49 AM | #58 | |
MR Drone
Posts: 1,613
Karma: 15612282
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DRONEZONE
Device: PB360+, Huawei MP5, Libra H20
|
Quote:
A good point Harry T. Unfortunately, in many English speaking countries the teaching of foreign languages in primary and secondary school is very poor. Most secondary school students graduate without a good grasp of a foreign toungue (or even a good grasp of how English Works). I admire your knowledge of Latin and Old English. Well done. |
|
01-27-2009, 10:52 AM | #59 | |
Chocolate Grasshopper ...
Posts: 27,599
Karma: 20821184
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Scotland
Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW
|
Quote:
I now regret not being better at English Language, understanding all its nuances. I have no 'ear' for a language, though I obviously manage in English (one hopes), but to say that learning another is a waste of time is too wide a statement - the learning of another language ought to help develop and maintain ones' neurons. What do multi-lingual members say. Is it an aid or a confusion to think in another language. |
|
01-27-2009, 10:56 AM | #60 |
Storm Surge'n
Posts: 5,779
Karma: 8213195
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Lobster Capital
Device: S0ny PRS-300/350/505/700/T1
|
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
French-English Dictionary | Ebenist | Amazon Kindle | 2 | 04-11-2010 04:10 AM |
Changing from french language to english | escalla | Sony Reader | 3 | 05-14-2009 12:57 PM |
Dictionary lookup (French-English) not working in some ebooks | montsnmags | iRex | 2 | 08-19-2008 08:45 PM |
French, Spanish, German, Russian ... and English menus on PRS-505 | porkupan | Sony Reader | 2 | 08-10-2008 05:16 PM |
Humor Twain, Mark: The Jumping Frog in English and French, v1.0, 2008-02-06 | zelda_pinwheel | IMP Books | 0 | 02-06-2008 05:39 AM |