Assume Nothing Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 As the title suggests - this thread is about the various issues the English language has. (Please move if it's in the incorrect section). I find it quite amusing that English is perhaps one of the most difficult languages to fully learn, as it seems so simple. I hope you guys could come up with some humorous examples of how terribly wrong something could be interpreted. Ambiguity: Police helped dog bite victim.They are hunting dogs.Hole found in changing room wall; police are looking into it. etc. Do you think the English language needs some tweaking? Do you think there's a lack of words? Post anything related to the English language here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 One of the irritating things I find is that when translating things from French or Latin into English, one word is translated into many words of English. Of course, this is the only real way to translate it, but I like it how in French/Latin that one word can mean so many things (Latin especially, what with the word endings). It's almost like.. in my head I know what it's saying, but if I think in English rather than 'thoughts' it still translates into many words. I dunno if that makes much sense :P RIP TET "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." - Friedrich Nietzsche Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doomy Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 It works better said then it does written. Doomy edit: I like sheep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaumonde Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I honestly find the tendency to ignore the Oxford comma (aka, the serial comma) confusing. Stat Progress | Stat Averages | Stat Records Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 ^ Definitely. I like the English language. I think it's fine the way it is. I looked at those words you posted and they seemed unnecessary, tbh. Funny, but unnecessary. | My Tumblr | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Napalm Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 One thing that bugs me about english is the lack of distincton between to be as a permanent attribute of something vs. to be as a transitive status (not sure if that term exists). For those who know spanish, what I'm trying to describe is "ser" vs. "estar". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Gabe Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 It's fine as it is. Three months banishment to 9gag is something i would never wish upon anybody, not even my worst enemy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sbrideau Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I don't know why you find English being one of the most difficult languages to learn, since from my point of view it is one of the easiest to learn, it is so simple compared to a language like French. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star. Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Regarding the eggs, toast and orange juice thing. Wouldn't the one without the comma be, "I had eggs and toast and orange juice"? Anyway I think the ambiguity in your examples can be solved by adding "a" and "the" in there. Surely they have this sort of problem with other languages? Idk, the only other language I speak is Punjabi and that's [bleep]ed up bro. ☢ CAUTION ☢ CAUTION ☢ CAUTION ☢ CAUTION ☢ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2PM Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 "Let your anger be as a monkey in a piñata... hiding amongst the candy... hoping the kids don't break through with the stick." - Master Tang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obfuscator Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 What Halo said. English is notorious for its many quirks - and I'd hazard a guess that the majority of people saying "english is fine" on this thread have it as their first language. "It's not a rest for me, it's a rest for the weights." - Dom Mazzetti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Gabe Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 What Halo said. English is notorious for its many quirks - and I'd hazard a guess that the majority of people saying "english is fine" on this thread have it as their first language. It took me one year to be fluent in English. I don't believe it's that hard. Three months banishment to 9gag is something i would never wish upon anybody, not even my worst enemy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riku3220 Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 Ambiguity: Police helped dog bite victim.They are hunting dogs.Hole found in changing room wall; police are looking into it. Not ambiguious: Police helped a dog bite victimThey are searching for dogs.Hole found in changing room wall; police are investigating it. You just need to tweak your sentences, not the entire language. The same is true for Halo's post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RpgGamer Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 we can make any noun ever a verb. This language is the [cabbage]. Quote Quote Anyone who likes tacos is incapable of logic. Anyone who likes logic is incapable of tacos. PSA: SaqPrets is an Estonian Dude Steam: NippleBeardTM Origin: Brand_New_iPwn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTanT Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 And we call it "verbing" nouns. :shades: The only difference between Hitler and the man next door who comes home and beats his kids every day is circumstance. The intent is the same-- to harm others.[hide=Tifers say the darndest things]I told her there was a secret method to doing it - and there is - but my once nimble and agile fingers were unable to perform because I was under the influence.I would laugh, not hate. I'm a male. :(Since when was Ireland an island...? :wall:I actually have a hobby of licking public toilet seats.[/hide] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Gabe Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 And we call it "verbing" nouns. :shades: Swag? Three months banishment to 9gag is something i would never wish upon anybody, not even my worst enemy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junkmutt Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 Fan out so we can all feel the fan.Just chuck it in the fridge for me, would you Chuck?This trope was lampshaded...Hooking up with a hooker who has hooks for hands. (OHMYGODNIGHTMAREFUEL) [hide=Drops]Dragon: Spear x1, Med helm x3, legs x2, pickaxe x1, skirt x3, scimitar x1Barrows: DH helm x1, Verac Brassy x2, Karil Skirt x1, Ahrim Hood x2, Guthan SpearGWD: Arma Helm x1Other: Handcannon x4, Leaf Bladed Sword x3[/hide] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 English is notorious for its many quirks - and I'd hazard a guess that the majority of people saying "english is fine" on this thread have it as their first language.Yup. And I find it fun to speak a language that's so difficult. :) I wouldn't be for making it any easier, since I've gotten used to how hard it is. | My Tumblr | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sbrideau Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 I guess now I know why so few English speaking people learn French, they think the English language is hard. If this post offends anyone, just pm me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 -offended- :notalk: | My Tumblr | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Gabe Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 Someone explain the word extraordinary to me. That word is a contradiction of itself. Three months banishment to 9gag is something i would never wish upon anybody, not even my worst enemy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenin64 Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 The main problem with the English language is all those unnecessary "u"s some people put into words. Just weird. Command the Murderous Chalices! Drink ye harpooners! drink and swear, ye men that man the deathful whaleboat's bow- Death to Moby Dick!BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tesset Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 I guess now I know why so few English speaking people learn French, they think the English language is hard. If this post offends anyone, just pm me.Is the implication here that French is a hard language? It's not really. :3 I'd rather learn French than English any day. My skin is finally getting softI'll scrub until the damn thing comes off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Napalm Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 Someone explain the word extraordinary to me. That word is a contradiction of itself. How so? It's outside of the ordinary, unusual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sbrideau Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 I guess now I know why so few English speaking people learn French, they think the English language is hard. If this post offends anyone, just pm me.Is the implication here that French is a hard language? It's not really. :3 I'd rather learn French than English any day. I didn't mean that French was a hard language, I find that English is easier. My first language is French yet I am better in English, which only took 6 months to learn and get fluent in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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