Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

Japanese would probably use, soshtara or soshite which mean 'and then'.

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

Exactly, Lyzko. They have hitotsu, futatsu, mittsu etc etc as standard counters but they count different things differently. Ippon, nihon, sambon and yonhon for 1, 2, 3+4 bottles of beer respectively. Ippai, nihai, sanbai for 1, 2 and 3 glasses of beer. They count separate animals differently too whereas we just add 's' in English or use a few exceptions (deer, sheep, fish and mice etc).

They have so many exceptions for people in Japanese like hitori and futari (1 and 2). Usually they count with nin, like san-nin, yon-nin and go-nin etc etc (3,4 and 5). When they count floors, there are exceptions too. The third floor is sangai and not kai like the rest of them. It's all about sound.

Anyway, I can tie it back in with Polish counters and say that I find Polish counters easier but they have exceptions too.

I lived in Japan for 2 years and somewhat feel this language through constant use. What did you mean by mixed objects btw?

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

Exactly, maybe he should go and say the same to Miodek who considers similar points :)

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

How is it absurd and pointless? You are completely belittling the study of Linguistics and mafketis has really made me think. Kindly don't cheapen his work and profession. Look at the subtleties of what we are trying to say.

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

Space is more like or IS like milk or air?

How about the Borg in Star Trek? That's a collective, a group of individual Borg. You can have 50 Borg when dissected but THE BORG is a collective singular, it's one entity just like Space is. You can have 3 shelves, 4 closets etc etc but it's still FURNITURE. You can say a herd meaning the whole group of animals but a Borg would be an individual like Hue in that episode. However, it's still a collective. It's THE Borg, singular concept. Just like Space. They are Borg, one thing, unable to function independently.

IT is not a collective singular you said, please explain. It means one thing, yes? Space is collective for all the planets and things which comprise the cosmos.

They are Borg, making The Borg, a collective singular for all the component parts to make up the whole, singular entity. You see my point?

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

Exactly, mafketis. Outer Space is not pluralised in the classic way.

You haven't explained why it isn't a collective singular, you just stated it. Żadne tłumaczenie.

IT IS not a collective singular you said :) :) Well, "it's not" to be exact :) Is 'it' 2 things? ;) ;)

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

You are missing the point. I'm not disputing the fact that spaces exist, cosmic spaces being an example. It is more applied in Mathematics but astronomers tend to speak more of Space as an extent.

People study Space, not spaces ;) ;)

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

They don't take indefinite articles as they are one concept, not designed to be counted as Space is just Space. Grammatically, it's a collective singular. THE Cosmos, THE. ONE!!

Until 'better' knowledge comes forward, that's the position.

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

I'm aware that a lot of astronomers would try but that is another argument. Whether there are or not is a matter of conjecture.

John Gribbin may argue with Hawkings, they are experts in their field. As we know it now, there is just Space as referred to in Star Trek.

You are on a loser here Darek. I can give you many links that Space and The Cosmos are singular.

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

That's not a refutation at all. Parking spaces, dinner table spaces etc etc, many exist. What I'm saying is that Space is seen as a collective entity. You don't refer to the cosmos (Space) as the spaces or cosmoses, do you? The final frontier, ONE. It's that simple!! Not frontiers, but one last frontier.

I'm not talking about the spaces between friends here, I'm talking about a concrete area and noun.

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

Aha, now I know :) Dariusz is no doubt brewing sth but it doesn't change the fact that we refer to Space as a single concept in terms of the cosmos. The final frontier, ONE frontier.

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

Space, the final frontier, these are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise' etc etc. I'm sure you are familiar with that line, Darek. In that way it is singular. They travel through Space, not like a driver who moves into spaces (plural)

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

Well good for you ;) ;) Post me your Canadian address and I'll forward your medal to you, ma man ;) ;) :) Dariusz, you are a smart lad so how about branching out this discussion? Some seem to want to apply logic and others accept what is understandable. Why are both 'jaj' and 'jajek' acceptable?

Well, I'm off for a wykałaczka (toothpick) (not łechtaczka, oops!) to clean the spaces between my teeth ;) ;)

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

I thought as much, just checking :) ;) You are the translator, right? Sorry, there are no avatars. If there were/was, I'd know that it was you and that you were joking :)

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

For the same reason, Magda. We have pieces of furniture and it depends on the item in question. Five tables, five wardrobes etc etc. Why would you have furnitures when furniture is a collective noun? Would you say spaces rather than space? (I mean space as a concept of the cosmos). It just is space as it is just furniture.

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

Well, if you didn't have the systems that you have then you wouldn't have so many problems, would you? ;) ;) Miodek to the rescue :) :)

Sześć butelEK, sześć owiEC, sześć okiEN etc etc. You just have to know them. In English, it tends to be simpler. Most of the time, we just throw an 's' on to pluralise. Deer, sheep, mice etc etc are irregular.

I said it was the same in principle that you could have 2 versions. How could you possibly have misinterpreted that? If that can be the case for a Polish word, i.e jajko, then the mind boggles when you draft in foreign words where instinct and sound should play a part.

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

I'd choose pięć radiów, mafketis :) It's the same as sześć jaj or sześć jajek, both are acceptable.

Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]

Megalomaniacs like Putin can easily cement their position. There is a populist sentiment in Russia, spearheaded by the likes of Kasparov, to overhaul the police state.

Anyway, that's by the by. I'd describe some Poles, usually older, as abrupt (są raptowni). A little more so than some other nations, a little less than others.

UK, Ireland / Why are Polish people, especially women, so disrespectful toward the English? [442]

My Grandma once made a joke that my wife was in it for the money too. We say in Scotland, 'many a true word spoken in jest'. Certain things in life you just have to brush off, like water off a duck's back.

What English folk must remember is that many uneducated buffoons went across and made a mockery of many things. I've had the great pleasure of meeting many educated Poles who cringe at the thought of those divvies representing their up-and-coming country. Those Poles see it clearly, perspicacious and conscientious folk worthy of the utmost respect. It's those people that I connect with the most, not some dumb kur*y in England. There are plenty sagacious minds here.

Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]

Spasiba is phonetic so spasiba it is. Poles tend to be able to figure things out (kombinować) whereas the Russians tend to be wilier and full of cunning. Sly and devious tend to fit many.

Most Poles are either indifferent to me (which I don't mind, that's fine) or warm to me because I emit good vibes. Give sth good out and you'll likely get it back.

UK, Ireland / Why are Polish people, especially women, so disrespectful toward the English? [442]

I'm glad that the posters here have largely drawn the distinction between Scots and Angles. I can imagine quite a few Polish women being disrespectful but not necessarily because they are Polish, that's just how they are. Smart Poles will shun them too for being boorish.

Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]

I agree here. 15% is naff, it shouldn't happen. It should be a matter of choice. They do that in Japan unless you push the bowl of savoury snacks away. Nibble on them and you're facing a bigger bill.

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

Dziękują is they thank. Dziękuję is thank you. Nice story though.

UK, Ireland / Why are Polish people, especially women, so disrespectful toward the English? [442]

If others make sensible choices, the morons only do by default then. What are their old habits then?

UK, Ireland / Why are Polish people, especially women, so disrespectful toward the English? [442]

The moronic ones choose not to integrate and only cause problems. They are little ingrates with little purpose to their lives. Good folk rise above that.

Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]

So the Greeks must be very friendly then, right? :0 ;)

Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]

True, I take your point. However, let it be said that, for almost every poster here, they type with a certain sth in mind, a certain situation or experience and not a broader gamut of stuff with which to gain a rounded perspective.

There are places here where quality service is part of the training package. Without fail, I'm served well there. Foremost in mind is a place called Gazdówka, the local mountaineers restaurant. They are always perky and on the ball. When the drinks are a flowin, the last thing you want is to wait forever and they make sure that you don't.

So, I would applaud your good work and tip accordingly. If a night out isn't a regular thing, I'd be willing to pay that little bit extra for 'making the night'. We must cherish moments in life.

Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]

Well, you have a point but there is a difference. I can live with the other type of food that they give me. With tradesmen, you often have to pay an arm and a leg to even get them to come out and inspect the balls-up they made. Then, pay for the repair unless you know your contract inside out.

Tips are for good service, yes, but did you tip for good service?

Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]

Don't be so critical. Look at milk bars here, many serve you ASAP and are constantly on the move. OK, they don't always get your order right but they keep the tempo. I don't tip there as I don't feel it to be right but maybe I should? It's far more of a restaurant thing but service is service.

Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]

Why not say that you just get on with people based on their individual characteristics? I don't care if you are Slavic, Celtic, African or whatever else, you should be seen as an individual and judged accordingly.

What, like going to the toilet, eating and drinking? Seems natural to me too.

Non-reacting? That's not true at all, it depends what kind of astonishment and what Westerner.

On a general scale of world rudeness, the Poles would be in the top half but that's as general as I'm prepared to go on the matter.