Seanus
13 Oct 2009
Language / Polish grammar exercises from hell [130]
Well, grammatically correct is what it's all about so I guess that's that :)
Well, grammatically correct is what it's all about so I guess that's that :)
Seanus
13 Oct 2009
Life / Has your move to Poland been successful??? [15]
I thought Bubba was in Asia. Ah well, good luck to the man. He was pretty clear about his views on Poland ;) ;)
I thought Bubba was in Asia. Ah well, good luck to the man. He was pretty clear about his views on Poland ;) ;)
Seanus
13 Oct 2009
Language / Polish grammar exercises from hell [130]
Right, well, just to be sure, I was talking about ludziach Vs osobach so we are clear now. Good :)
I know the difference between ordinal and cardinal, laddie.
Right, well, just to be sure, I was talking about ludziach Vs osobach so we are clear now. Good :)
I know the difference between ordinal and cardinal, laddie.
Seanus
12 Oct 2009
Language / Polish grammar exercises from hell [130]
I think it's fine too to use 'o trzech osobach'. It doesn't appear like we have anything to argue about. 2 ludzie is not the point here. The point is the difference between osobach and ludziach and that's what I've been arguing all along.
Wielu ludzi leżących na ziemi, many people lying on the ground (I've just watched a TVN example where Poles wrote the translation from an English dialogue). They are doing the same thing, lying on the ground.
I think it's fine too to use 'o trzech osobach'. It doesn't appear like we have anything to argue about. 2 ludzie is not the point here. The point is the difference between osobach and ludziach and that's what I've been arguing all along.
Wielu ludzi leżących na ziemi, many people lying on the ground (I've just watched a TVN example where Poles wrote the translation from an English dialogue). They are doing the same thing, lying on the ground.
Seanus
12 Oct 2009
Language / Polish grammar exercises from hell [130]
But it's o trzech ludziach (them), NOT 3 people. The 'o' part changes things. Why can't you accept that ludziach is fine, as is osobach?
I never said anything about collective numerals acting in the way you mentioned. I've been saying ludziach all along.
Point me to my mistake.
But it's o trzech ludziach (them), NOT 3 people. The 'o' part changes things. Why can't you accept that ludziach is fine, as is osobach?
I never said anything about collective numerals acting in the way you mentioned. I've been saying ludziach all along.
Point me to my mistake.
Seanus
12 Oct 2009
Language / Polish grammar exercises from hell [130]
Well, ask yourself about compound future (przyszły złożony). If kazali is perfective, it MUST have future simple. It doesn't because you have to use będę kazać (będę kazał/a), będziesz kazać/kazał/kazała itd itd. Please don't tell me that the future simple of kazać is każę because it's the present. They can't be perfective/imperfective at the same time.
Only kazali can't be perfective but think of rozkazywać and rozkać. The first is progressive and the second is a one-off action.
About the ludziach/osobach, it depends if you are focussing in on the differences between them. Collectively, they are doing the same thing (sitting and reading) so it should be ludziach. Osobach would be when you have 3 people doing different things. You have to differentiate between język potoczny (ma swoją gramatykę) and ą ę.
Please explain the policeman giving those orders as I don't see what you mean.
Well, ask yourself about compound future (przyszły złożony). If kazali is perfective, it MUST have future simple. It doesn't because you have to use będę kazać (będę kazał/a), będziesz kazać/kazał/kazała itd itd. Please don't tell me that the future simple of kazać is każę because it's the present. They can't be perfective/imperfective at the same time.
Only kazali can't be perfective but think of rozkazywać and rozkać. The first is progressive and the second is a one-off action.
About the ludziach/osobach, it depends if you are focussing in on the differences between them. Collectively, they are doing the same thing (sitting and reading) so it should be ludziach. Osobach would be when you have 3 people doing different things. You have to differentiate between język potoczny (ma swoją gramatykę) and ą ę.
Please explain the policeman giving those orders as I don't see what you mean.
Seanus
12 Oct 2009
Language / Polish grammar exercises from hell [130]
Ordinal (1st, 2nd, 3rd etc) and cardinal (1, 2, 3 etc) are the terms, frd. I've consulted my fiancee and she disagrees with you.
Ordinal (1st, 2nd, 3rd etc) and cardinal (1, 2, 3 etc) are the terms, frd. I've consulted my fiancee and she disagrees with you.
Seanus
12 Oct 2009
Seanus
12 Oct 2009
Language / Polish grammar exercises from hell [130]
Sorry, it didn't need those grammatical endings at all. There are other versions and Poles often give me 5 versions for the same thing. You can rehash a sentence in many ways. It's very similar to native speakers of English with the articles a, an and the. (indefinite/definite)
Well, if they were real suspects then maybe osoby but we don't know what stage of the information gathering process it was. Maybe they were just interviewing 'people' who could have been witnesses even.
Do you know of the perfective/imperfective difference, Ziemowit? That'll show you that rozkazali is better.
This is where a native speaker of English, a good one, will win hands down. Approach has two meanings. Firstly, the one you were likely thinking of that sb comes towards you from a distance. Secondly, and the one used in criminal circles, is that the police actually came directly up to you and asked questions. I was approached means that the police came up to AND questioned me. Put that in your pipe and smoke it ;0 ;) ;)
Furthermore, if you want to get all grammatical on me ;) ;), you should note that had given should have been used/should be used in place of gave in the example sentence. Had given would make it clear that the 4 passers-by were asked first for their thoughts. Gave, when read in the context above, implies a simultaneous event. Any other reading would render 'have given' the correct answer. Unless it was taken from an American textbook ;) ;)
Sorry, it didn't need those grammatical endings at all. There are other versions and Poles often give me 5 versions for the same thing. You can rehash a sentence in many ways. It's very similar to native speakers of English with the articles a, an and the. (indefinite/definite)
Well, if they were real suspects then maybe osoby but we don't know what stage of the information gathering process it was. Maybe they were just interviewing 'people' who could have been witnesses even.
Do you know of the perfective/imperfective difference, Ziemowit? That'll show you that rozkazali is better.
This is where a native speaker of English, a good one, will win hands down. Approach has two meanings. Firstly, the one you were likely thinking of that sb comes towards you from a distance. Secondly, and the one used in criminal circles, is that the police actually came directly up to you and asked questions. I was approached means that the police came up to AND questioned me. Put that in your pipe and smoke it ;0 ;) ;)
Furthermore, if you want to get all grammatical on me ;) ;), you should note that had given should have been used/should be used in place of gave in the example sentence. Had given would make it clear that the 4 passers-by were asked first for their thoughts. Gave, when read in the context above, implies a simultaneous event. Any other reading would render 'have given' the correct answer. Unless it was taken from an American textbook ;) ;)
Seanus
12 Oct 2009
News / European Quality Of Life Index: Poland in the middle [29]
Well, the UK went beyond the US in terms of earnings last year,
business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article3137506.ece
Arguably, the crisis hit the US harder than the UK. Yet again, I bet Europeans think their quality of life is so much better than those in the US. Pointless stats really.
Poland ahead of the US, come off it.
Well, the UK went beyond the US in terms of earnings last year,
business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article3137506.ece
Arguably, the crisis hit the US harder than the UK. Yet again, I bet Europeans think their quality of life is so much better than those in the US. Pointless stats really.
Poland ahead of the US, come off it.
Seanus
12 Oct 2009
Food / Where is the best place to eat pierogi in Poland? [24]
Exactly! ;)
Bar Teatralny is right by me here in Gliwice, the pierogi there are good.
Exactly! ;)
Bar Teatralny is right by me here in Gliwice, the pierogi there are good.
Seanus
12 Oct 2009
Language / Polish grammar exercises from hell [130]
I know what you mean, Ziemowit. However, this is a grammar exercise and not semantics. Therefore, ludziach is not wrong.
Rozkazali could be right, you know how police are these days ;) ;)
Tamtych? Well, it depends if the police used their fingers to point and how close they were. A few Poles misuse tu i tam.
I know what you mean, Ziemowit. However, this is a grammar exercise and not semantics. Therefore, ludziach is not wrong.
Rozkazali could be right, you know how police are these days ;) ;)
Tamtych? Well, it depends if the police used their fingers to point and how close they were. A few Poles misuse tu i tam.
Seanus
12 Oct 2009
News / POLISH PRESIDENT & PM ACTING LIKE SPOILED BRATS [15]
Well, most Poles don't have a clue what the treaty represents and it's a victory for the politicians. The sheeple will lose out.
Well, most Poles don't have a clue what the treaty represents and it's a victory for the politicians. The sheeple will lose out.
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
Life / Has your move to Poland been successful??? [15]
I'm in an area which allows for the transferability of skills, namely teaching. It's good to know that you have other options.
As for general living, I feel pretty safe here and haven't had any run-ins.
My fiancee's family are nice too, they really go out of their way to accommodate me.
All in all, I have to say that my move has been a success. I'd love to be with my family again but I won't be living in Scotland for a while yet.
I'm in an area which allows for the transferability of skills, namely teaching. It's good to know that you have other options.
As for general living, I feel pretty safe here and haven't had any run-ins.
My fiancee's family are nice too, they really go out of their way to accommodate me.
All in all, I have to say that my move has been a success. I'd love to be with my family again but I won't be living in Scotland for a while yet.
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
UK, Ireland / Sad life of a Polish migrant in the UK. Ch. 4 - Language [66]
It's the same in the UK. Most dialects sound uncultured and aren't used by white-collar workers. The working class make the heaviest use of them. In Polish, differences are more slight. Most tend to know the dialects of others based on logic, unless it's heavy Silesian ;) ;) For example, na pole or na dwór are different but known amongst most people. I don't think the same can be said for most dialects in the UK unless people really take an interest in it.
It's the same in the UK. Most dialects sound uncultured and aren't used by white-collar workers. The working class make the heaviest use of them. In Polish, differences are more slight. Most tend to know the dialects of others based on logic, unless it's heavy Silesian ;) ;) For example, na pole or na dwór are different but known amongst most people. I don't think the same can be said for most dialects in the UK unless people really take an interest in it.
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
Language / Polish grammar exercises from hell [130]
As I said, it's about the level of formality. I encountered persons a lot in legal circles.
As I said, it's about the level of formality. I encountered persons a lot in legal circles.
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
Language / Polish grammar exercises from hell [130]
It's hard. I don't go strictly by book rules, more by feel.
It's hard. I don't go strictly by book rules, more by feel.
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
News / What is the future of Catholic church in Poland. [154]
Tell me then, what is Catholicism about for you? My Polish friend thinks differently from you, lesser. He agrees with me.
Stopped attending. Stopped to attend means sth very different.
Tell me then, what is Catholicism about for you? My Polish friend thinks differently from you, lesser. He agrees with me.
Stopped attending. Stopped to attend means sth very different.
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
Language / Polish grammar exercises from hell [130]
Well, persons is more formal. The most common use is when making reservations, e.g how many persons per table. People is more general.
There is a difference between osobach and ludziach but not in the above example. Pierwsza osoba but NOT pierwsza ludzi. If the police were conducting a formal investigation and they were the 3 'persons' in question, then maybe but that's not for sure in the example.
It was a bit messy!
Well, persons is more formal. The most common use is when making reservations, e.g how many persons per table. People is more general.
There is a difference between osobach and ludziach but not in the above example. Pierwsza osoba but NOT pierwsza ludzi. If the police were conducting a formal investigation and they were the 3 'persons' in question, then maybe but that's not for sure in the example.
It was a bit messy!
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
Language / Polish grammar exercises from hell [130]
Come again, that makes no sense. Tell me, Bzibzioh, when do you use persons and when do you use people in English? You have to feel this difference if you are gonna tell me that it's wrong in Polish.
Come again, that makes no sense. Tell me, Bzibzioh, when do you use persons and when do you use people in English? You have to feel this difference if you are gonna tell me that it's wrong in Polish.
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
Language / Polish grammar exercises from hell [130]
Two men and a woman sitting on a bench in a park reading newspapers were approached by six police officers (of mixed sex) who gave four passers-by (also of mixed sex) an order to tell them what they think about the three people sitting on the bench.
Do dwóch mężczyzn i jednej kobiety, siedziących na ławce w parku i czytających gazety, podeszło sześciu policjantów, którzy rozkazali czterem przechodnim powiedzieć im, co myślą o tych trzech ludziach siedziących na ławce.
Two men and a woman sitting on a bench in a park reading newspapers were approached by six police officers (of mixed sex) who gave four passers-by (also of mixed sex) an order to tell them what they think about the three people sitting on the bench.
Do dwóch mężczyzn i jednej kobiety, siedziących na ławce w parku i czytających gazety, podeszło sześciu policjantów, którzy rozkazali czterem przechodnim powiedzieć im, co myślą o tych trzech ludziach siedziących na ławce.
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
Polonia / Any thoughts on religion in Russia from Poland? [9]
Riiiiiiiiight, and the Kaczyńskis have never referred to the Catechisms for their stance on homosexuality?? Come off it, lesser.
Riiiiiiiiight, and the Kaczyńskis have never referred to the Catechisms for their stance on homosexuality?? Come off it, lesser.
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
Travel / Looking for a typical restaurant in Wroclaw [26]
Good idea! You can snap up those that have been to the UK and miss those foods. Steak pies, mince pies, chicken pies, we have it all back home. Do you get bridies down south? Forfar bridies are popular up north, they are like pies.
English breakfasts, legendary. It's good for your discipline too as you go balls out to burn the calories. Hash browns, beans, mushrooms, fried egg etc etc. Lovely jubbly!
Roast dinners :) :) A tip for ya, WB. Put some work into the preparation. I've asked many Poles about this and they say that us Brits don't put enough effort into the presentation and also maximising the flavour (a bit hypocritical coming from those that don't use seasonings where they should).
Some proper gravy and a bit of garnish should please them. Side salad is cheap and can make the dish look that big bigger.
Good idea! You can snap up those that have been to the UK and miss those foods. Steak pies, mince pies, chicken pies, we have it all back home. Do you get bridies down south? Forfar bridies are popular up north, they are like pies.
English breakfasts, legendary. It's good for your discipline too as you go balls out to burn the calories. Hash browns, beans, mushrooms, fried egg etc etc. Lovely jubbly!
Roast dinners :) :) A tip for ya, WB. Put some work into the preparation. I've asked many Poles about this and they say that us Brits don't put enough effort into the presentation and also maximising the flavour (a bit hypocritical coming from those that don't use seasonings where they should).
Some proper gravy and a bit of garnish should please them. Side salad is cheap and can make the dish look that big bigger.
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
UK, Ireland / UK recession on the way? [58]
That can happen. I remember being in a hotel in Montenegro and paying 3 Euro for a small bottle of wine. I went to the shops and got the same wine, just 6 times bigger, for fractionally more (40 Euro cents more).
That can happen. I remember being in a hotel in Montenegro and paying 3 Euro for a small bottle of wine. I went to the shops and got the same wine, just 6 times bigger, for fractionally more (40 Euro cents more).
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
UK, Ireland / Sad life of a Polish migrant in the UK. Ch. 4 - Language [66]
I tend to find that too. The range of language used does tend to be limited. They are totally blown away when I pull out all the British accents and dip into dialect. Their jaws just drop when I whip out the Doric (my dialect).
They think Silesian and Kashubian introduce so much diversity but their eyes really haven't been opened. My Canadian roommate in Izumo was equally in the dark.
When it comes to accents and dialect, few countries come near the UK for variety. Especially given the relatively small area that the UK covers.
I tend to find that too. The range of language used does tend to be limited. They are totally blown away when I pull out all the British accents and dip into dialect. Their jaws just drop when I whip out the Doric (my dialect).
They think Silesian and Kashubian introduce so much diversity but their eyes really haven't been opened. My Canadian roommate in Izumo was equally in the dark.
When it comes to accents and dialect, few countries come near the UK for variety. Especially given the relatively small area that the UK covers.
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
News / What is the future of Catholic church in Poland. [154]
Pop stars aren't popular? What does pop mean, lesser? ;) ;) You can't seriously say that the numbers haven't dropped after his death.
Pop stars aren't popular? What does pop mean, lesser? ;) ;) You can't seriously say that the numbers haven't dropped after his death.
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
Travel / Looking for a typical restaurant in Wroclaw [26]
Fair point! The small places often have the best know-how. It's this way in Asia too. Japan has many long alleyways and it was a process of discovery to find new places. I couldn't read many kanji so it could have been a laundromat from the outside for all I knew. The best places are often tucked away like that.
Wrocław is somewhat more open.
Fair point! The small places often have the best know-how. It's this way in Asia too. Japan has many long alleyways and it was a process of discovery to find new places. I couldn't read many kanji so it could have been a laundromat from the outside for all I knew. The best places are often tucked away like that.
Wrocław is somewhat more open.
Seanus
11 Oct 2009
Law / What is a NIP? [8]
That's true, Avalon. I have my own company so that's why I have to include the Regon number.
That's true, Avalon. I have my own company so that's why I have to include the Regon number.