Engleski kutak: Improve your English — Chat II (English only)

[inflame]

as = kao što

[Twotinyfrogs]

inflame kaže:

as = kao što

Thank you very much!

[FeetF1]

jobbrecht kaže:

@feetf1, emericzy great job! making a poem by translating liberally is a pretty challenging, yet creative task it requires a really good english knowledge. the first version has some romantically poetic words which I like, but the second one won me over (is that the phrase? osvojila me) with its rhyme

^
Thank you for your kind words and positive critic.
I would have not noticed if our nicks weren't typed in bold.

I'm not in very good terms with grammar and sometimes I have to go thru the dictionary to discover suitable words.
I don't think Emericzy has those problems.

[antilles]

European Day of Languages
english, french, german.

interesting data.

[FeetF1]

You may be aware not -
But internet has rules a lot!

So, let's start!

-4. The internet has no rules, no exceptions.

Few helpful observations...

19. The more you hate it, the stronger it gets.
20. Nothing is to be taken seriously.
20.2. Because nothing is a serious matter. Everything else isn't. No exceptions.

Maybe this will help you in your next discussion:

11. All your carefully picked arguments can easily be ignored.
11.1. Anything you say, no matter how truthful or carefully picked, WILL be deemed wrong if the majority is against you.
12. Anything you say can and will be used against you.
13. Anything you say can be turned into something else. - fixed
14. Do not argue with trolls — it means that they win.

Is it a win - or a fail?

15. The harder you try, the harder you will fail.
16. If you fail in epic proportions, it may just become a winning failure.
17. Every win fails eventually.

Let us be reminded of this:

21. Original content is original only for a few seconds before getting old.
22. Copy 'n paste is made to ruin every last bit of originality.

24. Every repost is always a repost of a repost.
25. Relation to the original topic decreases with every single post.
26. Any topic can be turned into something totally unrelated.

What else can you do on the web?

27. Always question a person's sexual preferences without any real reason.
28. Always question a person's gender - just in case it's really a man.

30. There are NO girls on the internet.
30.1. Rule 30 only applies to the deep internet.
30.2. If girls are found on the deep internet, CODE RED, RED ALERT, ALL SYSTEMS BREACHED!
30.5 Vagina's are penis's in a girl's body. No Exceptions.

('No girls on the internet' rule dates from the times when internet was just starting to develop and the users were almost all males.
To this day you are likely to encounter men acting like girls on the forums, especially dating sites.)

35.35. If it is not on the internet it must be by midnight.

(In another words: the net is very fast!)

43. The more beautiful and pure a thing is, the more satisfying it is to corrupt it.

So, girls... When you see a handsome, shy, introverted and innocent-looking young boy - be sure to corrupt him!

About existence. Albert Camus would surely enjoy this:

55. If you have time to make up new rules, you have no life.
55.2. Except for me.

55.3. If you have no life, you do not exist. Therefore, your rule does not exist if you do not exist. No exceptions.
55.4. The rules were created by people who do not exist, so the rules do not exist. No Exceptions.
55.5. Although the rules do not exist, logic exists. The rules = logic. Therefore the rules do exist. No Exceptions.
55.5.2 Since the rules exist by logic, then the rules have always existed. No Exceptions.
55.5.3 So the creation of your rule is only a repost of science. (See rule 24)

Few random thoughts:

93.8. AT LAST! We found rule 93! Everything makes sense now and the balance of the universe is restored!
93.9. To the writer of rule 93.8: no it isn't.

103. That's no such thing as safe sex

104. The internet is for porn.

106. Rule 109 is true.
109. Rule 106 is false.

124.2. There is an error in rule 124.

143. If you ignore her, she will bitch.

146. Stop giving the mic a blowjob.

567. If you feel strongly about it, no one cares.

708. Do not trust the Internet.

Some more...

1234567890. There are ten numbers. No exceptions. :yes:
55555555556. THOUGH NO ONE DIES A VIRGIN. LIFE FUCKS US ALL. No exceptions.
362001984. THE EMOTICONES SHALL RULE THE UNIVERSE.
50157399396179148820597238334626483239798535629514 1. The word "penis" is inherently funny.
50157399396179148820597238334626483239798535629514 1.2. So is "vagina".

1000.2. There are too many fucking rules.

1999. Everything is a repost. No exceptions.

And let's conclude with this:

4001. Nobody hates Monty Python references. Tell every reference you know to every person you know, none of them will be pissed off. Really. Seriously. No exceptions. None whatsoever.

8000. There is always something lost in translation.

60666. Nobody knows what they are talking about. If they act like they do, they know even less. If they try to back their argument up with numbers, they don't know what the numbers mean. No exceptions.
100006. Do not post a screenshot of your phone with low battery, unless you don't want to get shitloads of replies commenting on the battery level.

176982. If it is a word, it has a sexual meaning. No exceptions.

223223. Good things always happen when you're not around.

3799999. Rule 3756550 was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

102938475. The Internet has a very cruel sense of humor.

I've picked the most interesting ones. Of course, you can go thru all thousand and something rules:
http://rulesoftheinternet.com/index.php?title=Main_Page

[rokolina]

FeetF1 kaže:

^
Thank you for your kind words and positive critic.

I think you meant "Thank you for...positive criticism*/critique". A 'critic' is a person doing the criticism / providing a critique.

*although I am not sure if 'criticism' can ever be positive. constructive, yes.

[FeetF1]

rokolina kaže:

I think you meant "Thank you for...positive criticism*/critique". A 'critic' is a person doing the criticism / providing a critique.

*although I am not sure if 'criticism' can ever be positive. constructive, yes.

^
Thanx for correcting me.

Well, actually, I wanted to write 'critique' - but that sounded too much French.

And as I said... My grammar=not too good.

English of mine... sounds like this:



https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...58405951f5.jpg

[antilles]

of course, it sounds very french.
for it is french.

[FeetF1]

antilles kaže:

of course, it sounds very french.
for it is french.

Oui.

I like poetry. While browsing the Internet, I've came across of some nice translations of Cesarić's poetry into English.
(In the link provided there are both original and translated versions.)

Mrtva luka:

Dead Port

This I know: there is a dead port
That whoever might prowl
Will hear the morning owl
And see a tired boat.

There, ships forever dream
Of how great sailing would be
But their anchors rest keen
In shallows of the sea.

They look at happiness with zeal,
But are afraid to go past.
They rig colour flags on the mast
- And are still.

(translated by Davor Juricic)

https://sites.google.com/site/projec...ric/mrtva-luka

Kad budem trava

When I Am Grass

Perhaps it will be better then
When I finally move one day
To worms and earthy dens.
In the cheerful grass I’ll sway,
Bathed in sun and moon at night,
Fragmented and out of sight.
Of my mind nothing will remain,
Not one thought from the conscience;
No ears or hearing sense,
To listen to the silence of my refrain.
If they ever stop my stem to tare,
The sickle won’t harm me where I grew –
And the only weight I’ll have to bare
In my new life will be the dew.

(Translated by Pavle Ninković)

https://sites.google.com/site/projec...ad-budem-trava

Jedne noći

One Night

That night I wrote, sitting all calm,
So next door my mother’s dream
Would suffer no alarm.
And if I had to get a book,
With every movement I would fear,
With every single step I took,
Not to wake my mother dear.
The peaceful night thus crept on.
And then I remembered she was gone.

(Translated by Pavle Ninković)

https://sites.google.com/site/projec...aric/jedne-noi

And, finally: Povratak

https://sites.google.com/site/projec...saric/povratak

[Emericzy]

Cesarićev izvornik:

MRTVA LUKA

Znam: ima jedna mrtva luka,
I ko se u njoj nađe
Čuti će ujutro pjevanje ćuka
I vidjet će umorne lađe.

Brodovi u njoj vječito snivaju
Kako se brodi,
Al´ njihova sidra mirno počivaju
U plitkoj vodi.

I tako u snovima gledaju sreću
A plovit se boje.
Na jarbole šarene zastave meću,
I stoje.

FeetF1 kaže:

I like poetry. While browsing the Internet, I've came across of some nice translations of Cesarić's poetry into English.

This is how I translated it a few years ago:

THE LIFELESS HARBOR

In a lifeless harbor I know
the owl cries, not the gull.
Tired boats tied bow to bow
forever dream of a sail or a scull.

After sea they may hanker,
and for voyages weep,
but safely every anchor
on the bottom lies asleep.

In dreams the ensigns fly
and anchors are aweigh
but fear keeps them dry
and they stay.

[FeetF1]

Emericzy kaže:

MRTVA LUKA
This is how I translated it a few years ago:

[I]THE LIFELESS HARBOR

^
Nice work.

I also stumbled upon this. A very accurate translation of 'Slap' - but it hasn't got any beauty in it:

Waterfall

A waterfall flows, and flows, and flows;
What does my little drop mean to it?

Look, a rainbow appears in the water,
And it shines, and tremble in thousand colours.

My little drop helps to create
That dream in the waterfall and makes it shine

But... Somebody did this:

Waterfall

A waterfall flows, and flows, and flows, / What does my little drop mean to it, who knows.

Look, one rainbow over the water flies, / And trembles in thousand and thousand dyes.

This dream in the water to be sown , / By my little drop will be woven.

http://www.italki.com/discussion/69925

[Emericzy]

I think we have discussed the Waterfall here before, heven't we?

This is mine:


WATERFALL

In a waterfall that runs and falls and flows
My tiny droplet neither hastens it nor slows.

Look there! A rainbow glitters in the mist,
Its colors quiver, tremble, dance and twist.

For this dream to shine, I do believe.
My tiny droplet needs to help it weave.

[FeetF1]

Emericzy kaže:

I think we have discussed the Waterfall here before, heven't we?

I remember not, at least not with that poem. Maybe some other.

This is mine:
WATERFALL

I must say - much better version that I've found (improved & enriched with nice expressions & variations). For instance, yours:

waterfall that runs and falls and flows...

gives dynamics to the poem, compared to just repeating: A waterfall flows, and flows, and flows...

A question - do you have all those words in your mind - or do you search the dictionaries?

[Emericzy]

FeetF1 kaže:

I remember not, at least not with that poem. Maybe some other.


I must say - much better version that I've found (improved & enriched with nice expressions & variations). For instance, yours:

gives dynamics to the poem, compared to just repeating: A waterfall flows, and flows, and flows...

A question - do you have all those words in your mind - or do you search the dictionaries?

Dictionary is the enemy of good translation. (And of good reading and understanding, too.)

You do have to have a good dictionary, but only as the very, very last, ultimate resort, when everything else fails.

[bavarac6]

how can i say it in english? i am satisfied with my job or i am contented with my job ? or ? tnx.

[rokolina]

bavarac6 kaže:

how can i say it in english? i am satisfied with my job or i am contented with my job ? or ? tnx.

I shoud ask you for the context first, as always.

However, as adjective 'satisfied' suggests something finite, complete, if you said to me that you were satisfied with your job I would assume that you weren't looking for a new one in the forseable future.
Otherwise, you can use both satisfied and content, or, simply, happy .

[bavarac6]

context, at the moment, last month. tnx

[JohOld]

Two years ago my level was elementary!
Below you'll find eleven sites, some with a focus on listening, some on vocabulary, others on grammar, and some with a range of activities. Happy learning!


Easy World of English
An attractive, user-friendly website including grammar, pronunciation, reading and listening practice and an interactive picture dictionary.


Many Things
This website includes matching quizzes, word games, word puzzles, proverbs, slang expressions, anagrams, a random-sentence generator and other computer-assisted language learning activities. The site also includes a special page on pronunciation, including practice with minimal pairs. Not the fanciest or most beautiful website, but with lots to see and use and no advertising.



The California Distance Learning Project
Read and listen to a news stories on topics including working, housing, money and health, then work on activities based on the stories including matching pairs, vocabulary, and quiz questions. Some stories also include videos.


BBC Learning English
An array of wonderful activities for practice, some relating to current events. Includes videos, quizzes, vocabulary practice, idioms, crosswords, and much more, though all with British accents.


Activities for ESL Students
Grammar and vocabulary practice for all levels, including many bilingual quizzes for beginners. Also includes a link for teachers, with conversation questions, games, and many other ideas to put to use in the classroom.


ABCYa
This is a website for kids, but who says adults can't use it, too? The site includes educational games organized by grade level, from 1st to 5th, and is particularly good for spelling and phonics. There are games to practice vowels, uppercase and lowercase letters, Dolch sight words, synonyms and antonyms and more.


TV 411
This site includes videos with native speakers explaining key reading concepts like critical reading, summarizing and scanning, and key life skills like signing a lease and reading a medicine label. Following each video is a comprehension quiz. Click on the blue tabs across the top lead for lessons on reading, writing, vocabulary and finance.


GCF Learn Free
A well-designed site with interactive tutorials for everything from operating an ATM machine to reading food labels. If you click on the main page icon and then click on reading, the site has resources for English language learners as well, including stories to listen to and read along, and picture dictionaries.


Language Guide
This is an online picture dictionary, with everything from the alphabet to parts of the body to farm animals.


Oxford University Press
This site from Oxford University Press has activities to practice spelling, grammar, pronunciation, and listening. A bit difficult to navigate, so more suitable for advanced learners and savvy internet users.

Ratatype
Learn to type faster in english. Take touch typing lessons, practice your keyboarding skills online, take a typing test and get typing speed certificate for free. and read Typing Speed Research: How To Save 21 Days Per Year While Typing

Also, don't forget YouTube. Whatever you'd like to learn — an explanation of a grammar term, idioms, a set of vocabulary — enter it in the search field and an array of videos are sure to come up. I hope some of these sites prove useful. Enjoy! And please add your own favorite sites in the comments.

[Mars700]

I was learning German for the past 6 months, and I've noticed that my English is getting worst and worst.

Which one of these is correct?

I'm free from January 1 to January 20, and from July 1 to August 30.
I'm free from Jan 1 to Jan 20, and from Jul 1 to Aug 30.
I'm free from 1st January to 20th January, and from 1st July to 30th August.
I'm free from January the 1st to January the 20th, and from July the 1st to August the 30th.

I want to say that I have no obligations between those dates (or days?)

[antilles]

Mars700 kaže:

I was learning German for the past 6 months, and I've noticed that my English is getting worst and worst.

i've been learning.
worse and worse.

Mars700 kaže:

Which one of these is correct?

I'm free from January 1 to January 20, and from July 1 to August 30.
I'm free from Jan 1 to Jan 20, and from Jul 1 to Aug 30.
I'm free from 1st January to 20th January, and from 1st July to 30th August.
I'm free from January the 1st to January the 20th, and from July the 1st to August the 30th.

I want to say that I have no obligations between those dates (or days?)

all 4 are correct.

correct me if i'm mistaken.