Search results for 'tag:Translation tag:Vocabulary' matching tags 'Translation' and 'Vocabulary'

What is 'live-firing'?

seroMack — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:45:15 GMT

In military use.. I can't find proper explanation on this term. Is it firing outdoor or real firing (not with blanks)?

Re: Vocabulary on cooking, server

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:56:48 GMT

Hello, Just a little help, maybe. I know some restaurants have a computer available, and on the right side of the google address box, there is a word "language." if you click on it, there will come up a translation page that is very simple and quick to use..if you need a special sentence fast.
Good Luck, Angel

Re: Free english learning software or websites

mundaneegg — Sun, 18 May 2008 18:01:17 GMT

www.yolango.com

It's a free site for intermediate to advanced English learners. Helps you practice by watching captioned videos on a whole variety of topics - music videos, movies, science, art, sports. Nice feature is that you can click on the captions and get a word-level translation into 13 languages as you're watching. Also, complete English transcript, vocabulary and listening comprehension games.

Hope this helps, Blackberry.

Peace,

Re: Useful resources for teachers

mundaneegg — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:55:41 GMT

www.yolango.com

It's a free site for practicing English by watching videos. For early-intermediate to advanced English learners who want to practice comprehension & vocabulary. Inspired by S. Krashen's 'comprehensible input' theory, they've gathered a bunch of videos that students "want to watch" and rated them for difficulty. You can click on the videos' captions for word-level translation into about a dozen languages. Complete transcripts, games, etc. Seem to be welcoming suggestions on how to make it useful for EFL/ESL learners and teachers.

Peace,

Re: a winter gauk

Avangi — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:26:55 GMT

Hi mulberry, WELCOME TO THE FORUMS !

Do you happen to know if this is a translation? "Snowdrop" isn't part of my vocabulary, and I spent many years in snow country. "Snowflake" is common, but doesn't seem to fit your phrases.

The gauk I know is spelled "gawk." My dictionary defines it as an awkward, oafish person; and gives an "informal" usage as to stare, like an awkward, oafish person. (We only used it this second way.)

Are we possibly talking about a flower, or a candy? If you could give us a longer portion of the text, it might help.

I guess a stirring would be some kind of gut feeling - an undefined emotional sensation - a sense of movement from within. Stirring can be simply mixing or agitating something, as with a spoon, or it can be sort of coming to life after a period of inactivity.

A striving would perhaps be a feeling that you need to be doing something special.

Edit. Okay, "snowdrop" is a spring flower (eurasian) which resembles an awkward, oafish person. (sorry, no picture.)

Re: Two question about "where"

Goodman — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:54:05 GMT

Hi Velimir.

I appreciate your agreeing comments. In part, I also agree with what you said. I must disclaim. I have no higher ambition in the learning of English than to achieve a respectable fluency and to use English properly. In all my professional and personal life, I have this philosophy which is never do anything just to get by and be the best I can be. Naturally, this perfectionism can be a problem in workplace because often what is acceptable to others seems sloppy to my expectation. In an ideal world everything should be balanced. You are absolutely correct about every learnerâs learning situation is different. Different academic background, level of perseverance and endurance, will power and methods in which he uses in the learning all play a part in the success. In my observations, I see many learners use the wrong approaches and methods. I had mentioned several times in this forum. We just can not learn good English properly with our brains still thinking in our own language. However, this comes naturally and the hard part is to learn to think and live in English. This adaptation does take time but it can be done. Once we feel comfortable with this transformation, we will find ourselves having to do less and less grammar and context translation from your own tongue to English. As a result, the fluency will improve. For ESL level learners, the awkward sounding English is the result of this translation process. Believe or not, watching âDiscovery Channelâ and BBC programs were the best thing I ever did during the first few years of my learning. They helped shape my vocabulary, speech pattern and usage tremendously. We all have our own opinions about how other people did with their English and often fail to recognize our own grammatical flaws, and that includes me. I believe in taking every opportunity to express myself in this acquired language to improve speech fluency and the ability to deliver thoughts and ideas. I hope I am making sense and not boring people to tears! Incidentally, you need a "space" between sentences and watch for puncutation and errors; if you don't mind my pointing it out ...

People fought in a Chinese translation forum

Lafingn — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:25:09 GMT

Hi, everyone! Happy New Year!

But I'm trying to be happy. I'm pulled into a debate over "the very English standard" in a Chinese translation forum. A "sensible" lad who crammed in China's New Oriental Language School asserts that many usages, including those in nytimes.com, economist.com, native speakers' blogs and more, are actually non-stardard and thus wrong. Even some in Oxford dictionaries now become "obsolete" or "unacceptable". One of his examples is about "which" used as relative pronoun:

A student who talks about 'strong rain' may make himself understood, but possibly not without provoking a smile or a correction, which may or may not matter.

He says which, referring a circumstance here, is a misuse. The original sentence is from the introduction to an Oxford dictionary. By the way, he also laughs at the part "but possibly not without provoking a smile or a correction" because he thinks it's bad English (maybe not very smooth for his limited reading), while I don't agree.

Also denied is another example from American Traditional Dictionary:

He left early, which was wise.

He says every teacher in New Oriental would frown on this because they were taught in school that the relative pronoun "which" should in no way substitute a foregoing sentence in the proceeding non-restrictive attributive clause.

Is that true, or the dictionary wrong?

My next question is what's your opinion about education New Oriental offers, if you happen to know. Since I really doubt about it.

He posted his comments(sorry for his dirty words)ï¼

Should any native English speaker look at what you put down here, he or she will definitely go to see a doctor as this foreigner will not only be amused, but also be suffering from a nausea and vomiting disease. Such trashy and junk words were put together to display how poor and messy your so-called English (in fact, even worse than typical Chinglish) is . You can certainly regard me as stinky because I have been so unluckily gotten into contact with you, a piece of ***. You can rest your mind that I am far inferior to you in this regard. How funny a stupid idiot like you could have an idea of building up a team! Do you believe that there are many other people on this world, who can be as similarly asinine as you are. Just go to the hell and kiss your mom's ass! Your so-called dream ( actually a kind of deliria) will never come true. Otherwise, our society as a whole will run into an overall catastrophe of deterioration of our population quality. BTW, you shall never compare yourself with violinqq, as doing so is like comparing a piece of *** with a brillant piece of jade.

My reply and comments on his English (he says he can't read because "it's a mess"):

while "poor" is my guts feeling to your lanugage, a second thought is carefully given to the reasoning why it should look so awkward. considering the paragraph Aurorean offered as a prototype in many aspects, a thorough examination helps to identify some factors that are about the language per se and that can be quickly wiped off upon notice; the rest factors, however, extend far beyond language due to their much deeper roots in thinking habits upon which words and patterns are selected.

Generally the language in question features lengthy and humdrum, which is often the lesson of Chinese English. On the whole, Chinese tolerates more repetition than English does. Oftimes parallel words and phrases, or structures of like meanings in Chinese break out powerful rather than demolish the strength. But in English, it's the other way around. Silimar elements piled on can be worse than grammar mistakes with their lower efficiency in conveying meaning and the breakup in reading, for it distracts readers, even annoys them. And Chinese is a more detailed languge. While many elements in English are self-evident and can be safely left out, doing so in Chinese is risky and would give an abrupt sense, though it can still be understood with a little extra effort. Chinese English is humdrum not just for a considerable amount of repetition, but also for a lack of lively vocabulary, sentence patterns, and other forceful expressions.

The above mentioned, it becomes apparent why and how literal translation, or writing English from Chinese structures, is problematic.

Let's proceed to the problems packed in the following paragraph, by courtesy of our Mr. Aurorean, the personality of amusing grudges and grievances, not thoroughly denied though could have been, thanks to the benevolence of the translation industry and many open-minded people. Thanks to Mr. Aurorean, for his unabashed display of his self-styled good english, which may otherwise help to benchmark many translators' work.

Should any native English speaker look at what you put down here, he or she will definitely go to see a doctor as this foreigner will not only be amused, but also be suffering from a nausea and vomiting disease.
Comments: very low efficiency. Simply put it like this: Any English native speaker at your words will... Well, "what your put down here" is self-evident in the context so it's needless. Should..... is a relatively big structure here but we don't like it to do a small job. "not only be amused, but also be" is childish logic, it's dull, not interesting, not funny.

Such trashy and junk words were put together to display how poor and messy your so-called English (in fact, even worse than typical Chinglish) is .
comments: just select one between trashy and junk, since either repeats the other here. We know such words "were put together", you don't have to speak it out, which means to emphasize. So it's needless too. poor and messy, just choose the latter, because messy conveys "poor". so-called is not a good word; the meaning is not ironic enough translated from chinese literally. So see my changes:
The bundle of words makes a valueless display of the english of yours. One won't think futher if it's chinglish or not.

See? You don't have to look sissy by shouting words like "such", "how poor", "how messy". You may have never been praised as a sense of humour by females. Well, that's okay. But you should at least know how to say barbed words in a polite manner. Or how you dare to pick up english as a gun?

You can certainly regard me as stinky because I have been so unluckily gotten into contact with you, a piece of ***.
Comments: a master of english don't end a long sentence with "***." the logic is baby level too. not attractive at all. Well, try some Shakespeare way:
What's in the name "Aurorean"
that we don't call by ***
but smells at well

You can rest your mind that I am far inferior to you in this regard. How funny a stupid idiot like you could have an idea of building up a team!
Comments: you know why you look sissy? because you tag and cap others with boorish lore. now calm down and check back your words, you were being so desperate. God won't tag you with "idiot", because he's merciful. We won't too, because it's overtly evident what a kind of thing before us. Your words reflect yourself. you are your words.

Do you believe that there are many other people on this world, who can be as similarly asinine as you are. Just go to the hell and kiss your mom's ass!
Comments: really childish logic. i'm so sorry but your imagination is so flat. You just hurt your mother. You are 30 something. So your mother is a senior now. God bless her. hope she survives you 'cause you two are to split into different ends of the world in the long run. Cherish the rest time.

Your so-called dream ( actually a kind of deliria) will never come true. Otherwise, our society as a whole will run into an overall catastrophe of deterioration of our population quality. BTW, you shall never compare yourself with violinqq, as doing so is like comparing a piece of *** with a brillant piece of jade.
Comments: Yuk, instead just say "I'm worried about your dream" to avoid sissy impression and create gentleman image. don't say "our society as a whole" because you are not supposed to be one of the leadership level right? "an overall catastrophe of deterioration of our population quality" sound lousy: words are too long. simply try "the end of the world", and it's more vivid and impressive. by the way, i'm not that great, and the world won't collapse for my individual existence. I'm so worried about your state of health. check your family tree and see if one or two cases of Alzheimer's disease or mongolian exist. by the way, who grants you the big position to compare? look at yourself, even a far cry from a botched creature by god.

Whose English is more acceptable? I'm in want of your opinions.

Thank you all in advance.

Slang

Cool Breeze — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 09:50:39 GMT

"Slang is mostly made by lively, imaginative people, who are not afraid of being different from others or of breaking the accepted rules of grammar and speech. It has been called 'the plain man's poetry' and is valuable because it gives new life to old ideas. Naturally it occurs most in everyday conversation, but slang words should not be used in serious writing. A time of war suggests thousands of new slang words - most of which are forgotten after a few years; but some live on and gradually make their way into the accepted vocabulary of a language."
...
"The lasting value of slang is found in those words which live on and help to keep English a vigorous and youthful language."

Unfortunately I can't give you the source of these lines because I don't know it. The author is in all likelihood dead by now. The extract is part of a translation test I had to take as a schoolboy ages ago.

Do you agree with the author about slang? What is your opinion about slang and its importance? When and where can or should one use slang - or should slang be completely avoided?

Cheers
CB

Re: is it the right way to improve my english?

Goodman — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 23:49:48 GMT

Cso.huang wrote:

Recently, I read some news on the site of CNN/VOA/BBC in order to improve my english. I am trying to comprehend the news in simple English sentence to learn some skill of vocabulary usage. Also, I am insisting on writing some english article to improve my written english.

I have insisted on this way for 2 month, but I have no ideas about this way. is it the right way to improve my english?

could you give me some advices which you improve your english by?

Cso.huang,

Learning a language and learning a language well are not the same thing. Many people can learn enough to get by and good enough to communicate with others. However, to be fluent and masterful is an entirely different level. I am speaking from my experience which may or may not apply to others, but I used the audio-visual approach extensively, meaning listening and watching English educational or informative programs. BBC produces a great variety of programs spanning from science, nature to history which are excellent tools for learning as well as improving speech patterns and usage. Reading and writing reinforce the listening and viewing. Spoken English is the hardest at the beginning in my opinion because of the shyness and embarrassment factor. To get over this mental barrier, one has to ignore these feelings as if they never exist. Another important aspect is to train your mind to think in English as this will help you eliminate the translation process when you are writing. Often people of foreign origin compose their thought in their own native language and translate them into English as they write. As a result, the tone and structure often sound unnatural. I know, itâs easier said than done. But, itâs very possible. I wouldnât t say it if it werenât true!

Re: Gerund=past vs Infinitive=present or future

Goodman — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:57:20 GMT

Miche wrote:
Hi, JT.
I can see you don't like rules much and I agree with you. Rules are too restrictive, hamper one's "feeling" the language and deprive him/her of the pleasure of speaking the language. That is a major problem with English learners in my country - they can recite mile-long lists of rules but they simply cannot speak. That's because they start thinking of rules whenever they try to say something. However, non-native speakers need guidelines to learn a language. Probably balance is the key.
As for Seyfihoca's "rule", I think it is very interesting. I've never thought about that. I'm just tempted - linguistically - to think of more such words. And if we are to elaborate on Seyfihoca's assumption, I think we can place Mr. M's four examples in a third group - verbs followed by other verbs that express simultaneous actions.

I agree with you with the highlighted points

I think there are several stages of English learning one must go through before he can express thoughts and idea fluently at will. Without question, stage 1 is to learn the grammar. We need to establish that as a foundation so that more learning can be built on it. At that stage, most learners rely on grammar and text books. Whatever the book says, it must be true and for the most part, it is. But once we pass beyond the basics, more and more questions will surface as our English knowledge gradually builds and accumulates on what we learned.

Next level is to build and expand our vocabulary. Many learners depend on the translation of dictionary in their mother tongue, which can be a problem because what the translated meaning means in their mother tongue often donât carry same weight in meaning in English, or even gone completely off âcourse. This can be frustrating as they learn from time to time they are using words incorrectly.

Speaking from experience, this is the time when one has to be ânaturalizedâ, or âimmersedâ in a constant English speaking environment with natives where he can learn speech patterns, sentence structure, how natural English sounds, and proper word usage; if he is motivated to leap to the next level. This process can take years to refine and many learners will develop a feeling of being stuck at the same spot. Unfortunately many learners are satisfied to just have learned these skills to get by and probably reluctant to the take the next level which is to develop an ability to think, to process logic and to make reasonable arguments in English. This will require all of our mental capacity and the acquired English skill we have learned, and stored in our brain, which is actually a lot harder than just talking about it.

Well I hope you guys donât think I am crazy!