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About LinkBacksShadow1...Originally Posted by shadow1
Please accept my apology. I saw the word, but did not notice that it was a hyperlink for a definition. You were trying to teach.
This was my mistake. I'm sorry.
Shadow1...
Please accept my apology. I saw the word, but did not notice that it was a hyperlink for a definition. You were trying to teach.
This was my mistake. I'm sorry.
Can you describe an example where a foreigner using a slightly non-standard pronunciation of an English word could conceivably cause anything more than a very slight missunderstanding?
Use a word wrongly... wrong location... wrong pronounciation... in the wrong way or tone... can cause misunderderstandings, problems, and fights. This happens all over the world.
I'm sorry, but this is a reality in a multi-linguistic environment.
"Wanker" immediately comes to mind...Can you describe an example where a foreigner using a slightly non-standard pronunciation of an English word could conceivably cause anything more than a very slight missunderstanding?
Use a word wrongly... wrong location... wrong pronounciation... in the wrong way or tone... can cause misunderderstandings, problems, and fights. This happens all over the world.
I'm sorry, but this is a reality in a multi-linguistic environment.
Several drunk touring Americans, several drunk Scots, sitting in a Madrid pub... situation getting out of control... there was a football game... Liverpool/ Chelsea I remember... the Scots were trying to 'explain' football to the Yanks... the Yanks were getting insulted (drunk as they were), and misinterpreted several of the words... Scots got insulted... they all took it outside on a side street in Madrid, outside my local watering hole.
English, all English, but in opposing dialects... nasty fight began... it took several of us, including 3 English teachers, to calm it down between the Scots and the Yanks. A few bloody noses, cuts, and bruises nothing more serious. But my best mate got hit and hurt.
No reason for it. No reason for any of the violence. And it was all because of language misunderstandings.
This is mild... but I've seen much worse, much of it caused by language misunderstanding. I won't discuss them here.
So what was the misunderstanding? If someone's calling you a wanker, your fist should rightfully and forcefully connect with that person's jaw."Wanker" immediately comes to mind...
What you fail to realise, Dobry, is that what applies to situations that arise in conversations among native speakers doesn't apply to situations with language learners. In those cases it is blatantly obvious that the speaker is a foreigner . At worst he will embarrass himself. Besides, it isn't possible for a language learner to use "street smarts" as you chose to call them for he/she lacks the language confidence and proficiency as well as the phonetics of a native speaker that those "street smarts" require. His foreign accent/choice of words etc. will be sticking out like a sore thumb anyway.
PS One might as well picture the following dialogue
between a French visiting student (FVS) and a Yorkshire Farmer called Giles (YFCG):
FVS: Ow ofTen duss eet rain 'ere in zee summer?
YFCG: Say wha'?!
FVS: Ow ofTen duss eet...
YFCG: Wha'? Ya foockin toff of a posh, stoock oop foreign poof!
Show yourself - destroy our fears - release your mask
Dobry, in case you didn't know, most Russians are nails and aren't afraid of getting into a pub brawl or two (the knuckledusters on my both hands are making it very hard for me to type, so please excuse my typoes). Yet somehow most of us have managed to enjoy our pints while speaking our broken English completely unaware of those mysterious "street smarts" and without getting into any sort of bother.
Show yourself - destroy our fears - release your mask
This was a short-shot from me... I'm not sure you know what it is to be in a serious fight... watch a friend die, or a friend dying. I never want to wish this thought on anyone. I'm sorry.
I don't search for fights... while you enjoy your fight, I will walk home with a good woman.
Go in peace, VM.
Are you offering an example, or calling me names?
I don't buy that it was because of a language misunderstanding. I'd say it had more to do with
a) No-one likes a drunk Yank.
b) Drunk Scots like everyone except drunk English and drunk Yanks, whom they despise.
c) Drunk people are violent and tribal.
b) Young male Brits seem to like to fight when they're abroad and drunk.
e) Nothing in the history of the universe has ever been more likely to start an argument than a European discussing football with an American.
Now, I could believe that a language misunderstanding provided the initial spark than started the conflagration, but I doubt that it directly caused it. With those ingredients, a 'square-go' was always going to be the unavoidable end result.
What your anecdote actually tells us is that it is better to avoid groups of drunk people, Scots in particular, which may well me universally good advice, but has little to do with language.
Then don't discuss them here, make one up instead. Invent a situation where a foreigner using a slightly non-local-standard pronunciation (the 't' in often, or the second 'i' in 'aluminium', the 'r' in 'world', etc etc) would cause any sort of discord, ruckus, or grave offence.
You think you're nails and have been in many fights, but the fact is you haven't been in any if you believe they start because of a foreigner failing to use "street smarts" on top of his thick foreign accent. This is how fights start:
A: Oi! Are you looking at me?
B: No, I wasn't...
A: What did you say?
B: I didn't say anything...
A: What, you f...in' starting?!
Show yourself - destroy our fears - release your mask
Are you offering an example, or calling me names?Alcohol-fueled fights are often started by misunderstandings. And yes, some of them that I was in were because of hate and anger. Dialects were the excuse... but the wrong words were the "gasoline on the fire."
You haven't lived in many places in the world, have you VM??You think you're nails and have been in many fights, but the fact is you haven't been in any if you believe they start because of a foreigner failing to use "street smarts" on top of his thick foreign accent. This is how fights start:
A: Oi! Are you looking at me?
B: No, I wasn't...
A: What did you say?
B: I didn't say anything...
A: What, you f...in' starting?!
Are you recommending don't use "street smarts", wherever you are in the world?? Now, you only want to argue.
There are many places that I'm not welcome because I'm an American... and there were fights in some places only because I possess an American accent. I'm not going to discuss my scars with you. You don't know me... you don't know where I've been, and what I've seen.
And no matter what I say, you will always disagree, you will always argue with me... even if I treat you with a mother's kindness. So, again, bye.
Actually, I have.
Yes, I am. I am recommending don't stuff your head with BS because as a language learner you will always be identified by your accent and your so-called "street smarts" require the fluency and command of a native speaker to roll off your tongue naturally. Stick to just learning the language the way thousands have done before.
So why didn't you drop a "street smart" or two? I'm sure a streetwise expression in the local vernacular laced with your thick foreign accent would've done the trick, LOL.
If you keep saying things I disagree with, I certainly will. Why am I agreeing with Scotcher?
Show yourself - destroy our fears - release your mask
VM,
I'm glad you and Scotcher agree... the stuff of friendships.
I'm sorry that you and I disagree, and that you dislike me so much.
Friendships are often born from disagreement and dislike. These can be the most true.
Anyway, if you are ever near my home... the door is open... there's food... you are always welcome... we can debate, discuss and argue... and you'll have a safe place to sleep. Please don't take this lightly... it's sincere from the heart, and from respect.
Only 'cos you can't logically argue with both me and Dobry at the same time, and you were arguing with him first.
You gimboid.
Logically? When did I care for logic? Goit.
Show yourself - destroy our fears - release your mask
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