Thread: Looking for language exchange

Originally Posted by Helenej

Kevin, why on earth did you choose to learn a language with the grammar like that? I guess no one had warned you.

lol...it's true no one warned me But then, my desire to communicate has always exceeded my common sense, I guess Thanks for you help

Originally Posted by kgcole

lol...it's true no one warned me But then, my desire to communicate has always exceeded my common sense, I guess

Perhaps in the end we should publish this thread as a separate book as a warning to those whose desire to communicate exceeds their common sense. They might get more resonable.

Originally Posted by Helenej

Perhaps in the end we should publish this thread as a sebarate book as a warning to those whose desire to communicate exceeds their common sense. They might get more resonable.

ha ha...or it could be encouraging. Just talking about these things makes the goal of learning a language seem plausible. At least it does for me.

Helen, he has uttered that there's a comparison in case of "that" and there's no comparison in case of "so".

- Chew faster!
*the other guy starts chewing at the speed of a machine gun*
- No, not THAT fast. (not fast like that)

Medved and Paul G. fought because of Helen. She was that beautiful.

(She deserved to be fought over.)
If he said "she was so beautifil", it would have kinda disconnected the sentences, like:
"they fought over her, oh, btw, she was beautiful".

See the difference?

Originally Posted by Medved

Helen, he has uttered that there's a comparison in case of "that" and there's no comparison in case of "so".

- Chew faster!
*the other guy starts chewing at the speed of a machine gun*
- No, not THAT fast. (not fast like that)

But I cannot see any comparison here. His chewing is not compared to anything. There is a mere indication of the speed. It implies that his chewing could be slower. But the word “so” seems to expess the same. And what does “that” connect or disconnect here?
Couldn't it be put like, "No, not so fast"? I think it could.

Originally Posted by Medved

Medved and Paul G. fought because of Helen. She was that beautiful.
(She deserved to be fought over.)
If he said "she was so beautifil", it would have kinda disconnected the sentences, like:
"they fought over her, oh, btw, she was beautiful".

See the difference?

I seem to start feeling something vague. Yet I think the word “that” in “She was that beautiful” does not denote any comparison either. Actually her beauty is not compared to anything. It rather denotes the degree of her beauty slightly indicating the cause or reason of their fight. It was her beauty that caused their fight. I think the usage of “that” in this case does not necessarily should relate to the past. It might just as well be applied to the present. Like in “He is crazy with love for her. She is that beautiful”. Besides, your sentence about chewing relates to the present, too.
OMG. Perhaps if anyone had ever fought for me I could understand that faster. No luck.

Originally Posted by Helenej

Couldn't it be put like, "No, not so fast"? I think it could.

In that case, yes, you would be correct to say that: "No, not so fast". Of course, I think you summed it up best, Lena, when you pointed out the pairing..."so..as" is incorrect, and "as...as" is correct.

Yet I think the word “that” in “She was that beautiful” does not denote any comparison either. Actually her beauty is not compared to anything

The comparison is to the previous statement. She was compared to the kind of beauty that causes men to go to war. She was THAT beautiful, in comparison. Not less beautiful, or more beautiful, but just as beautiful as what caused the war. You're right in that it doesn't have to be the past, too. It can be in the present

Originally Posted by kgcole

The comparison is to the previous statement. She was compared to the kind of beauty that causes men to go to war. She was THAT beautiful, in comparison. Not less beautiful, or more beautiful, but just as beautiful as what caused the war.

I got the idea. I understand that comparison is in the air. Still there is no strict comparison there. The speaker only stresses out that her beauty was so classy that it deserved to fight for. But yes, there is a feeling that the speaker kind of compares it with some high standard.
Thank you, guys.

About your comments, I definitely pay attention to them.
Я решительно уважаю ваш комментарий.
Что касается ваших замечаний, то я несомненно обращаю на них внимание.

I consider them invaluable.
Я считаю, что они бесценно.
Я считаю их бесценными.

I try to remember them, and use the suggestions in my sentences.
Я всегда стараюсь помнить и использовать ваше предложения в своих предложения.
Я стараюсь запомнить их и использовать ваши советы в своих предложениях.

One that I’m confused about is my use of “может быть”.
Один, которое я считаю недоуменно, стоит когда я использовать «может быть».
Мне непонятно ваше замечание о моем употреблении слов “может быть”.

You usually correct my use of it with “наверное”.
Вы обычно исправляете с «наверное».
Вы обычно исправляете их на “наверное”.

My use of “может быты” doesn’t seem inappropriate, and I’ve seen you use it before.
Мне не показалось несоответсвующим и я заметил прежде ваше использование этого.
Мне кажется, я употребляю “может быть” неправильно, но я видел, что и вы использовали их до этого.

You’re right about using “обыкновенно” and “лишь” together.
Вы правильно об использовании из “обыкновенно” и “лишь” вместе.
Вы правы относительно использования слов “обычно” и ”только” вместе.

It does sound inappropriate.
Это конечно несоответсвующий.
Это, конечно, же неправильно.

If you still feel that “лишь” is out-dated, then I’ll try not to use it.
Если вы еще почувствуете этого устаревшим то, что я буду стараться не использовать этого.
Если вы по-прежнему считаете, что слово “лишь“ устаревшее, то я буду стараться не употреблять его.

My nephew’s birthday is Friday, and he’ll be eighteen.
День рождения из моего племяника пятница и он будет восемнадцать.
В пятницу день рождения моего племянника. Ему исполнится восемнадцать.
“Ему будет восемнадцать” seem to be a little incomplete, though it’s grammatically correct.
“Ему будет восемнадцать в марте” sounds more natural. That’s why I’ve chosen “Ему будет 18”

Wouldn’t it be interesting to know what we know now and be that age again?
Это бы ли интересном знать, что мы знаем сейчас и возвращать к этому возрасту?
Разве не интересно было бы знать то, что мы знаем теперь, и снова быть в том возрасте?
Wouldn’t, can’t, couldn’t, isn’t, aren’t and so on can be translated as разве.
Hasn’t she come there? – Разве она не пошла туда?

He has no regrets yet, and still believes he never makes a mistake.
У него уже нет извинений и он все еще верит, что он никогда не делает ошибку.
У него еще нет сожалений, и он все еще верит, что никогда не делает ошибок.

The link you sent me to the museum exhibit was interesting.
Это «линк», которое вы послались мне о музейной выставке был интересном.
Ссылка на выставку музея, которую вы мне прислали, была интересной.

I would probably enjoy seeing that, and discussing my thoughts.
Я бы, наверное, люблю этого посмотерть и обсудить моих мысли.
Думаю, что я бы с удовольствием посмотрел ее и поделился своими мыслями.

I’m not educated about art, but I have my opinions of what I see.
Я не образованный об исскуствах, но у меня мнения из чего я вижу.
У меня нет художественного образования, но у меня есть свое мнение о том, что я вижу.

I prefer realism, but I don’t mind seeing other styles too.
Я предпочту реализм, но мне нравится так же еще один стилы.
Я предпочитаю реализм, но мне нравятся и другие стили.
You used the future tense instead of the original present.

Kevin, what do you think if I put my Russian version in bold type like in the last sentence? Would it be better or is it ok now?

Originally Posted by Helenej

Kevin, what do you think if I put my Russian version in bold type like in the last sentence? Would it be better or is it ok now?

It's ok now as it is, Lena. Don't put yourself through the extra work to make the bold type. But thanks for asking, you're very thoughtful.

Do you want me to make you laugh, Kevin? I was trying to listen to some English today. I’ve chosen this small part of a video. Green Day - Wake Me Up When September Ends [Official Music Video] - YouTube
There is no noise there and what they say can be heard clearly. I listened to the dialogue perhaps 20 times, carefully, trying to catch every word. And that’s what I get. I put the words I’m certain of in bold type.

He. Come here. I know this our life is short. This way I wake up on then on that day all your dreams and everything you wish for ...go on just like that, you know. People... people get old and, you know, things change and...and situations change and. What I want is I just... I want this moment right now this day, and my feelings for you, the way you look right now, the way I look at you. I just want this to last forever, you know.
She. I know it will. each other. And nothing gonna change that. I...I just no matter where always here for you. Always. I’m never gonna live you. I’m never gonna live you. I love you.
He. I know. I know.
She. Don’t ever leave me.
He. I won’t.
She. Don’t ever leave me.
He. I won’t. I won’t.

I’m sure the words I missed are very simple. Correct this dialogue, will you?

Originally Posted by Helenej

Do you want me to make you laugh, Kevin? I was trying to listen to some English today. I’ve chosen this small part of a video. Green Day - Wake Me Up When September Ends [Official Music Video] - YouTube

Sure Lena….:

He: Come here…I know they say life is short. They say you wake up one day, and on that day, all your dreams and everything you wished for and you wanted, gone just like that. You know. People…people get older…you know things change, and situations change, and what I want is…I just, I want this moment, right now this day. My feelings for you, the way you look right now, the way I look at you, I just want this to last forever, you know.

She: Well it will. (Garbled words)…we’ve always had this, and had each other, and nothing can change that. But, I just want you to know, no matter what, you always have somebody here for you. I….always…I’m never going to leave you. I’m never gonna leave you. (kiss) I love you. (kiss)

He: I know…I know.

She: Don’t ever leave me.

He: I won’t.

She: Don’t ever leave me.

He: I won’t…I won’t. I won’t.

Song:

Summer has come and passed.
The innocent can never last.
Wake me up when September ends.

Like my fathers come to past
Seven years has gone so fast
Wake me up when September ends.

Here comes the rain again
Falling from the stars.
Drenched in my pain again
Becoming who we are.

As my memory rests
But never forgets what I lost
Wake me up when September ends.

(door opens)
She: You didn’t…tell me you didn’t.
He: What?
She: Tell me you didn’t do it. (crying, slaps him) Tell me you didn’t do it, please. Please tell me you didn’t do it. Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Please, you didn’t do it….I can’t…please (still crying) How could you do this without telling me? I love you so much (He: Stop, stop, stop…just listen) How could you do this to me? Oh my God! Oh my God! (He: I thought of all people you would understand…why don’t you understand? I did this for us! I did it for us! This is supposed to make it easier! I thought you’d be proud of me! I thought at least of all people, you would understand why I did this!) Oh my God! (still crying)

Song:

Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
Wake me up when September ends.

Ring out the bells again
Like we did when spring began
Wake me up when September ends.

Here comes the rain again
Falling from the stars
Drenched in my pain again
Becoming who we are

As my memory rests
But never forgets what I lost
Wake me up when September ends.

Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
Wake me up when September ends.

(Garbled words)…
Twenty years has gone so fast
Wake me up when September ends.
Wake me up when September ends.
Wake me up when September ends.

She: Just so you know, you always have somebody here for you. I’m never gonna leave you.

I guessed about “kiss” somehow.
Wow! I hadn’t even listened the song to the end. I hadn’t known they kept talking further. Thank you, Kevin.
I keep reading, though.

Kevin, did you write down the lyrics by yourself listening to the song or did you copy it from anywhere?

Originally Posted by Helenej

Kevin, did you write down the lyrics by yourself listening to the song or did you copy it from anywhere?

I wrote them down listening to the song. Of course, you know how songs can be...sometimes the words are not too clear. This one was okay, not difficult to understand. I enjoyed listening to it

Это тикая суббота. Я пригласил другом к рождественскому праздику в последнем месяце. Сейчас я слушаю в музике. Один из моих любимых музикальных групп Rush. Я слушал в них с тех пор я в детстве.

It’s a quiet Saturday. A friend invited me to a Christmas party next month. Right now I’m listening to music. One of my favorite music groups is Rush. I’ve listened to them since I was young.

Этот интересным, музикальный диолог, который вы послал. Разговор пар было хорошим примером уютного английский. Разве вы заметил использование из “you know” в диологе? Этот словесное соединение, которое вы должены скупо употреблять. Иногда это сообщает плохие говорашие способности, и иногда это уютная принадлежность к языку. Я употребляю время от времени в своих писаниях, а не часто.

That music dialogue you sent was interesting. The couple’s conversation was a good example of comfortable English. Did you notice the use of “you know” in the dialogue? That is a word combination you probably should use sparingly. Sometimes it conveys bad speaking skills, sometimes it’s a comfortable add-on to language. I use it now and then in writing, but not often.

Здесь ещё один фото вместе с мойм отецом, братом, и зяте. Этот сняло на празднике. Мы с удовольствием иногда поварить наружу, особенно когда мы приготавливаем морепродуктов. Вам нравится морепродукты?

Here is another picture of me with my father, and brother, and brother-in-law. This was on a holiday. We like to cook outside sometimes, especially when we have seafood. Do you like seafood?

Gene Andy Kyler Kevin.5.28.07.6-19-12-16-08-28.jpg

Я заметил то, что Израиль и Палестина опять сражаются. Этот к сожалению. Очень много существуют того, чтобы терять все время от ненавистя. Я рад для того, что я там не живу.

I noticed that Israel and Palestine are fighting again. That is such a shame. There is so much to lose by hating all the time. I’m glad I don’t live there.

Originally Posted by kgcole

That music dialogue you sent was interesting. The couple’s conversation was a good example of comfortable English. Did you notice the use of “you know” in the dialogue? That is a word combination you probably should use sparingly. Sometimes it conveys bad speaking skills, sometimes it’s a comfortable add-on to language. I use it now and then in writing, but not often.

Very much the same here. We use “знаешь” much more often than it is necessary. I often catch myself overdoing the word “понимаешь?” which means “do you understand?” I’m sorry about that but my “speaking skills” are mainly applied in the kitchen when my people come home. My Russan is apparently not that of Lev Tolstoy.

Originally Posted by Helenej

Very much the same here. We use “знаешь” much more often than it is necessary. I often catch myself overdoing the word “понимаешь?” which means “do you understand?” I’m sorry about that but my “speaking skills” are mainly applied in the kitchen when my people come home. My Russan is apparently not that of Lev Tolstoy.

Well, I actually wish I had stumbled onto this site a long time ago and not spent the time I did reading literature that taught me things that native speakers don't really say. I could have saved myself a lot of trouble...lol. I almost feel as if I'm starting over. In some ways that's good, but it can be discouraging, too. I'm still trying to catch the knack of general conversation, but I'm trying

Originally Posted by kgcole

I wrote them down listening to the song. Of course, you know how songs can be...sometimes the words are not too clear. This one was okay, not difficult to understand. I enjoyed listening to it

I forgot to tell you, Kevin, that I can find any lyrics in the internet. It was the dialogue that, I’m sure, I won’t be able to find anywhere. Thanks for your lyrics version, anyway. Yet one line seems to be more correct in the web version.
Перевод песен Green Day: перевод песни Wake Me Up When September Ends, текст песни. Лингво-лаборатория Амальгама
I mean “like my father’s come to pass”. What do you think about that? And the word “gone” in “your dreams and everything you wished for and you wanted, gone just like that” seems uncertain to me, too. He seem to utter something two-syllable here instead of "gone".
Anyway, your using the term “garbled words” gladdens me. The fact that native speakers cannot hear all the words in their songs kind of inspires me. I don’t feel myself THAT dense. Though it sometimes happens to me with Russian, too. It’s natural.

Originally Posted by Helenej

I mean “like my father’s come to pass”. What do you think about that? And the word “gone” in “your dreams and everything you wished for and you wanted, gone just like that” seems uncertain to me, too. He seem to utter something two-syllable here.
Anyway, your using the term “garbled words” gladdens me. The fact that native speakers cannot hear all the words in their songs kind of inspires me. I don’t feel myself THAT dense. Though it sometimes happens to me with Russian, too. It’s natural.

I thought there would be a difference on that one line "like my father's come to pass". I don't quite get that line, but it happens...lol. As you say, it's natural in any language to have discrepancies when listening to dialogue, or songs. When you write I like to give you room to be yourself, and use your own language as you see fit. I just try and correct tenses, or spelling, or if there's a large discrepancy in a word use; otherwise, I figure you know what you're trying to say and it's up to me to try and understand. Over time you'll get used to what is "normal" for English by comparing yourself to others.

It’s a quiet Saturday.
Это тикая суббота.
Сегодня у нас тихая, спокойная суббота.
Тихий when applied to a day means either “not windy” or “not busy”. Still it doesn’t convey your meaning. That’s why I use two words together.

A friend invited me to a Christmas party next month.
Я пригласил другом к рождественскому праздику в последнем месяце.
Мой друг пригласил меня к себе праздновать рождество в следующем месяце.
It’s the active voice. The passive voice is much more rarely used in spoken Russian. Like in English by the way, yet you use it more often than we do.
Next = следующий, never последний.

Right now I’m listening to music.
Сейчас я слушаю в музике.
Сейчас я слушаю музыку.

One of my favorite music groups is Rush.
Один из моих любимых музикальных групп Rush.
Одна из моих любимых музыкальных групп - это Rush.

I’ve listened to them since I was young.
Я слушал в них с тех пор я в детстве.
Я слушаю их с детства.
Present Pefect + since or for some time = present tense in Russian.

That music dialogue you sent was interesting.
Этот интересным, музикальный диолог, который вы послал.
Вы прислали интересный диалог в той песне.
Музыкальный диалог = a dialog of two instruments or two voices that sing.

The couple’s conversation was a good example of comfortable English.
Разговор пар было хорошим примером уютного английский.
Разговор этой пары был хорошим примером того, как на самом деле говорят на английском.
Couldn’t find a good equivalent. I doubt there is one.

Did you notice the use of “you know” in the dialogue?
Разве вы заметил использование из “you know” в диологе?
Вы обратили внимание на использование “you know” в этом диалоге?
Заметить means to notice without any effort of you, without a thorough examining. Did you notice that red car in front of your house? I noticed tears in her eyes. That would be заметить. I had to pay more attention to the text to notice using of “you know” several times. I had to kind of analyze the text. That’s why I use обратить внимание.

That is a word combination you probably should use sparingly.
Этот словесное соединение, которое вы должены скупо употреблять.
Это то словосочетание, которое, вероятно, следует употреблять гораздо реже.
Or even simpler
Это словосочетание, вероятно, следует употреблять гораздо реже.
or
Этим словосочетанием, вероятно, не следует злоупотреблять.

Sometimes it conveys bad speaking skills, sometimes it’s a comfortable add-on to language.
Иногда это сообщает плохие говорашие способности, и иногда это уютная принадлежность к языку.
Иногда это свидетельствует о недостаточной культуре речи, а иногда это просто удобные вводные слова.
How far off!!!

I use it now and then in writing, but not often.
Я употребляю время от времени в своих писаниях, а не часто.
Я иногда использую их, когда пишу, но не часто.

Here is another picture of me with my father, and brother, and brother-in-law.
Здесь ещё один фото вместе с мойм отецом, братом, и зяте.
Вот еще одно мое фото вместе с отцом, братом и зятем.
Here is = Вот…
You don’t need to stress out that it is YOUR father if you you say “MY picture”. It’s implied.

This was on a holiday.
Этот сняло на празднике.
Это было на празднике. или Это фото было сделано на празднике.
You can leave the original content, saying “This was” = “Это было”.

We like to cook outside sometimes, especially when we have seafood.
Мы с удовольствием иногда поварить наружу, особенно когда мы приготавливаем морепродуктов.
Мы иногда любим готовить на улице, особенно морепродукты.
Варить means to boil only, while to cook means all kinds of processing food: to boil (варить), to fry (жарить), to bake (печь), to roast (тушить).
To say “особенно когда у нас есть морепродукты” sounds excessive.

Do you like seafood?
Вам нравится морепродукты?
Вам нравятся морепродукты?
Морепродукты is plural, so нравятся.

I noticed that Israel and Palestine are fighting again.
Я заметил то, что Израиль и Палестина опять сражаются.
Я обратил внимание, что Израиль и Палестина опять воюют.
I remarked on обратить внимание above.
The word cражаться is emotional, not neutral. It emplies the speaker’s sympathy to those who fight.
You can say Наши солдаты мужественно сражаются. But you can’t say Фашисты мужественно сражаются.

That is such a shame.
Этот к сожалению.
Я очень сожалею об этом.

There is so much to lose by hating all the time.
Очень много существуют того, чтобы терять все время от ненавистя.
Тратя время на ненависть, мы очень многое теряем.
I withhold the subject and predicate causing suspense. Otherwise the phrase doesn’t sound well. Perhaps the long dangling participle surpresses the principle parts of the sentence, makes us to forget about them by the time we get to the end of hte sentence.

I’m glad I don’t live there.
Я рад для того, что я там не живу.
Я рад, что не живу там.