mikebarrera
20 Jun 2007
Language / A Native American or a Native Pole: Who is better into which language? [116]
The easy thing about english is the lack of conjugation of the verbs. They might have 16 tenses like some Guest pointed out. In spanish we have the same and we use them. Yes, other languages are simpler in terms of tenses because instead of saying "I'm doing something", they just say "I do something". So no continuous forms which is a pity cause I like to use them hehe.
But it's really an advantage in learning english that you don't have to conjugate the verbs. And I'm talking of course about the verb forms for the different persons (I, you, he/she, we, you, they).
We all "do" something, well, besides he and she ;-) So everybody executes a verb the same way, you just have to remember that he and she don't. And it's as simple as writing an "s" or "es" at the end of the verb. While in many other languages you have to learn the painful rules of conjugations which are one of the biggest problems in learning a new language unless you don't care sounding like Tarzan.
Anyway, no offense to all the english-speaking people but english is not a very rich language. It's an easy one and I think that's one of the reasons it's become the "international" language. Yes, just one of them, not forgetting the influence of the US power and all that ;-).
And english is quite ambiguous which is a pity cause it can lead to misinformation or misunderstandings. Take for example the phrase "I love you". Makes no distinction from fraternal and friends love to that of the love to your partner/spouse. If you say "you do it". You don't know if it refers to one person or to many, you have to check the context and even then it can lead to misunderstanding or the necessity to ask to clear that up.
Although one thing I like about these ambiguities is not having an informal and formal "you". Sometimes it leads to problems in spanish or german or other languages about "how should I treat this person, formal or informal?". That, and the fact that you get rid of learning another conjugation ;-)
Anyway, I finish before I lose the track of a point (if I didn't do it already). I just wanted to share what I think about english and the difference to other languages. And to those native english speakers, no offense, I like languages and I have nothing against english. On the contrary, I mean if it wasn't for english I woudln't have met my polish girlfriend. It's very useful and it's a nice language.
And well, I'm not fluent in german but I wouldn't agree with Michal, Polish seems more difficult than german to me. It's confusing to me, and sometimes even funny, how in polish they decline even personal names. It's funny in my case. If I say "Miguel's house" I have to say "dom Miguela" and that's funny cause in spanish most nouns ending in A are feminine so it's like they make me a woman every time they say something that's mine.
Oh, and in Mexico we use double negatives too hehe... Although some english-speaking people use them as slang too, like "I don't see nothing" :)
And TheKruk: 45 languages?!?!?! Including Elfic and Klingon? :-) No seriously, as I see some are dead languages, right? That's cool, how could you learn so many languages? I'd be more than happy being able to speak like 6 languages.
Sorry for the long message, sometimes I start writing and can't seem to be able to stop.
Cheers!
Miguel
The easy thing about english is the lack of conjugation of the verbs. They might have 16 tenses like some Guest pointed out. In spanish we have the same and we use them. Yes, other languages are simpler in terms of tenses because instead of saying "I'm doing something", they just say "I do something". So no continuous forms which is a pity cause I like to use them hehe.
But it's really an advantage in learning english that you don't have to conjugate the verbs. And I'm talking of course about the verb forms for the different persons (I, you, he/she, we, you, they).
We all "do" something, well, besides he and she ;-) So everybody executes a verb the same way, you just have to remember that he and she don't. And it's as simple as writing an "s" or "es" at the end of the verb. While in many other languages you have to learn the painful rules of conjugations which are one of the biggest problems in learning a new language unless you don't care sounding like Tarzan.
Anyway, no offense to all the english-speaking people but english is not a very rich language. It's an easy one and I think that's one of the reasons it's become the "international" language. Yes, just one of them, not forgetting the influence of the US power and all that ;-).
And english is quite ambiguous which is a pity cause it can lead to misinformation or misunderstandings. Take for example the phrase "I love you". Makes no distinction from fraternal and friends love to that of the love to your partner/spouse. If you say "you do it". You don't know if it refers to one person or to many, you have to check the context and even then it can lead to misunderstanding or the necessity to ask to clear that up.
Although one thing I like about these ambiguities is not having an informal and formal "you". Sometimes it leads to problems in spanish or german or other languages about "how should I treat this person, formal or informal?". That, and the fact that you get rid of learning another conjugation ;-)
Anyway, I finish before I lose the track of a point (if I didn't do it already). I just wanted to share what I think about english and the difference to other languages. And to those native english speakers, no offense, I like languages and I have nothing against english. On the contrary, I mean if it wasn't for english I woudln't have met my polish girlfriend. It's very useful and it's a nice language.
And well, I'm not fluent in german but I wouldn't agree with Michal, Polish seems more difficult than german to me. It's confusing to me, and sometimes even funny, how in polish they decline even personal names. It's funny in my case. If I say "Miguel's house" I have to say "dom Miguela" and that's funny cause in spanish most nouns ending in A are feminine so it's like they make me a woman every time they say something that's mine.
Oh, and in Mexico we use double negatives too hehe... Although some english-speaking people use them as slang too, like "I don't see nothing" :)
And TheKruk: 45 languages?!?!?! Including Elfic and Klingon? :-) No seriously, as I see some are dead languages, right? That's cool, how could you learn so many languages? I'd be more than happy being able to speak like 6 languages.
Sorry for the long message, sometimes I start writing and can't seem to be able to stop.
Cheers!
Miguel