UK, Ireland / Cheap Flights on WizzAir.....is it a con ? [27]

You are right, Justysia. I was stopped at Balice for possessing for than 100ml's of liquid in my main baggage. That was back in Dec 2006, just after they brought in that new rule. I wasn't allowed to take my shaving foam. However, they are so friggin lax with enforcement at times.

UK, Ireland / Poles in Scotland - help required on research project. [20]

Hehehe, nice retort McCoy. Who doesn't sniff around for money these days?

Language / Why Polish people use so many words to describe a situation? [122]

There are trends and patterns that English is evolving in different parts. There is Japlish, Chinglish, Spanglish and Poglish and all manner of other developments.

Read a guy called Ilan Stavans, he has a few interesting things to say.

What other fledgling language is developing faster?

'The English language is changing so rapidly one can hardly keep up with the changes', this is from Bob Frank, a very experienced teacher from Detroit. He's so right.

Language / Why Polish people use so many words to describe a situation? [122]

Is such an issue statistically verifiable? Perhaps. I prefer to look at trends and patterns rather than out-and-out figures.

Language / Why Polish people use so many words to describe a situation? [122]

These words are often situation specific. It may be that some non-native speakers can use them with some aplomb! The problem is feeling and knowing the nuance of said words.

For example, I gave the example of the meaning of certain idioms to my students. Translations just don't work in that case, unless it's identical to the other language. I gave one example and said what it meant. When asked to produce sentences with those idioms, they weren't applied correctly, e.g to get on like a house on fire. I have the list of idioms in a book in my bag if anyone is interested.

I also did cat idioms and I really had to labour on their application. It's not as straightforward as giving rough translations as they are often situation specific.

Darius, certain Anglicisms are admitted into other languages through exposure to them. Certain people reject them, certain people embrace them, e.g sory instead of przepraszam. English is evolving, you are discussing adaptation or incorporation (even modification), a tangential issue.

The point can also be made that there are no true owners of the English language. Therefore, users (mixed and varied) can shape it differently. Slang plays its part too. Accepted borrowing too. The number of words that have been passed as being English, and accepted as being so, is staggering. Kiosk for example. I could quote hundreds more.

Language / Why Polish people use so many words to describe a situation? [122]

Well Darius, I thought it was you who were kidding. I was bluffing.

How can you say that English isn't evolving quicker than most other languages? Look at the exposure English has to many influences. Yes, English may change other languages but it rather borrows more. Look at French for example.

Well Magda, you could say 'what kind of a man are you?'. There is some limited application. This type does change it though.

Language / Why Polish people use so many words to describe a situation? [122]

Yes ;) (poker-faced)

Take English in its fullest sense.

Be sure to post your thoughts, D

When are they gonna evacuate you from your village? LOL

Language / Why Polish people use so many words to describe a situation? [122]

Well, I like your style. Who gives other people the right to change language? We are not mutes, we are active language users.

This is a deceit, no, not at all. It was merely to make a point.

USA, Canada / The 2nd Amendment (USA), the right to own guns [261]

Geez, you have a few years on me then ;) 82/83, respect!! Fractionally younger than my dziadek

USA, Canada / The 2nd Amendment (USA), the right to own guns [261]

I'm a believer in that, that our elders can pass down their expertise. I don't take it to Japanese levels though.

Young buck, geez, you must be over the hill, LOL I'm 31, not young in this day and age. That's oji-san (grandad) in Japanese. When you hit 30, you become old. Hmm...bizarre!!

USA, Canada / The 2nd Amendment (USA), the right to own guns [261]

Nah, some of the logic is sound. Like for self defence in your own home. I swung round to your way of thinking.

Here's a toast to decency :)

Language / Why Polish people use so many words to describe a situation? [122]

I wouldn't be letting you in on (like the double preposition?) a secret if I told you that I've found native speakers work to be nothing short of appalling. It doesn't matter if it's Brits or Americans.

I completely revamped parts of a project in my undergrad days, done in concert with 3 others. What they had written/what they wrote was diabolical, shameful. So, regardless of 'rights' to changing a language, that fact remains.

They can take up that form if they wish. Language tends to change either because a sufficient number of people use it for a sufficient length of time OR because certain powers can effectuate changes. To say otherwise would undermine, even negate, the concept of something become obsolete (obsolescence). I know this is recognised in law (duesuetude).

I can't see the above form, to use a phrasal verb, taking off.

USA, Canada / The 2nd Amendment (USA), the right to own guns [261]

And you, Sir, are challenged!! ;)

Just kidding, you are a nice character to have on board.

Don't worry Franus, Obama won't revoke the 2nd Amendment

Language / Why Polish people use so many words to describe a situation? [122]

OK, I hear ya.

I had this argument before, uncountable Vs countable isn't always so clear cut.

Even with countables though Magda, you don't need 'a' at all. I'd say it was incorrect.

This type of screen, this type of problem, this type of configuration etc etc.

It is like a collective noun. You are listing a type. So, is it 'this type of a bike?'. 'A' we use more to count or to show that it exists. Look, it's a polar bear. There's a polar bear over there (one).

I think you are getting confused with a type of screen, rather than 'this type of a screen'. Sorry, you just have to trust me on this one.

Let me test you later. I'll name a countable noun and you can tell me if it's 'this type of a dog' or 'this type of dog' for example. I've got hundreds of words waiting in the wings.

Language / Why Polish people use so many words to describe a situation? [122]

You raised a good point there, Magda. We can go somewhere with this.

For example, would you say, 'zbliżam się do przystanku czy przystanka?'. This may tease out a strain of this idea above.

As I wrote yesterday, I thanked you for pointing out my typo (congratulations ON). Still, there is a compelling logic to congratulations IN + gerund. Nobody should have the monopoly on language. English, more than most others, is in a state of constant evolution. Still, I just can't get my head round 'type of a discussion'. Native speakers, on the whole, just don't think that way.

E.g I don't like this type of deceit/deception (not a deceit/deception).

I'm merely stating that the majority would find it contentious.

Oh, and I'll try and show you more respect. If you can show me examples of article use with 'a' like above. I just feel, through experience, that non-natives don't quite get it.

Language / POLISH VERBS RICHER THAN ENGLISH ONES!? [12]

I agree with this, if you are referring to suffixes. The number of variations is staggering.

However, if you include phrasal verbs, then the richness is somewhat diluted.

Language / Why Polish people use so many words to describe a situation? [122]

I wonder if you are still too tired for this type of a (sic) discussion, LOL

Language / Why Polish people use so many words to describe a situation? [122]

Wordier in that it uses more words or has more words? I think foreigners may confuse the two.

Dude, English has many more words than Polish. A basic knowledge of linguistics and etymology would tell you that.

Spurs, hehehe, chump!! Go the Gooners!! Rumour has it that the ex-Spurs boss was caught speeding. When asked why, he replied, 'I'd do anything for 3 points'.

Language / Why Polish people use so many words to describe a situation? [122]

Why does that surprise you? We didn't actually, we often agreed to disagree.

Language / Why Polish people use so many words to describe a situation? [122]

An expert in every subject? Where did I say that? It wasn't a fault though, I simply pressed the wrong key, it happens you know. I've taught it so often, I saw it and corrected it. I and O are next to each other.

You are the sort who like to pounce on people. I don't profess to be an expert

News / Polish culture would collapse if Ministry of Culture would be abolished? [14]

Isn't it true that when Greeks or Bulgarians nod their head it means no and, when they shake them, it means yes?

Consider that when looking at southern's reply, lesser ;)

Does yes always mean yes?

News / Polish culture would collapse if Ministry of Culture would be abolished? [14]

There are always 2 sides to every coin, that's true :)

News / Polish culture would collapse if Ministry of Culture would be abolished? [14]

The Ministry just promote what they want to. Let the people decide what they value.

News / Polish culture would collapse if Ministry of Culture would be abolished? [14]

Hail the parasites!!

News / Polish culture would collapse if Ministry of Culture would be abolished? [14]

Culture is such a deeply ingrained thing. A Ministry can aid in its preservation by fully promoting it but the people would rally round in the event of its collapse and ensure its survival.

You know, I'm not sure lesser. We are bound to have but I don't know too much about it. Gee, I should retire as a teacher.

Language / Why Polish people use so many words to describe a situation? [122]

Golden hand, fantastic, I like that.

Language / Why Polish people use so many words to describe a situation? [122]

Jack of all trades, master of none, why do you ask?

What, because I admitted a typo? Well, heeheehee, how funny. I almost died laughing ;)

Language / Why Polish people use so many words to describe a situation? [122]

That's part of it southern, for sure. Again, I haven't found that many Poles do this with any regularity.

Life / Can you think of any famous Polish personalities? [147]

You are certainly a neep, that's for sure ;) Swede you are :)

Life / Can you think of any famous Polish personalities? [147]

What on earth is Copernikus doing on that list, he's German ;)

Where's the map, £uki?