Inside The Language

Nijar, I am humbled by your expression of gratitude.  Thanks!

My teacher, I’ll put this significant certificate up on the wall, furthermore look at while my go-come!! You, your way in teaching make me different(I really mean it), many thanks!!!

Nijar, Nijar, what am I to do with you???  You have gone above and beyond the call of duty as a student and you’re to be commended.  Your paraphrase of the sentences shows your understanding of the English language and should help all who read them.

Now a word to everyone who read this lesson.

I am aware of the various levels of readers and students who read these lessons.  Some are on the level of Nijar and others are almost there while some may be totally confused.  However, it would be beneficial to master this lesson or you will have significant gaps when you encounter certain words like these.  Be careful to direct your emotions and energy into learning English and beware not to focus on where you are but on your English goals.  This is part of the process to help you get there. :)

Back to Nijar’s question:

No. 5: He could lead if he would get the lead out.

Paraphrase: He could win (lead)(Pronounced: leed) if he would get the (weight or whatever is hindering him) out.

Note: The second “lead” is pronounced the same as rhymes with “red”

No. 9: In your paraphrase, “throw” should be “through.”

No. 18: Paraphrasing “shedding a tear” is very difficult because its in the singular tense.  You did a good job to paraphase as: “shed a cry” which I do not think is grammatically correct but technically it may be.  Maybe someone more qualified can render an answer.  Therefore, your paraphrase stands until then.

Finally, concerning your sentence:

It’s a rough world, so take the rough with the smooth! 

Paraphrase:

It’s a hard world, so take the good with the bad!

Conclusion:

Well, this was a good experience for me.

Concerning the homonym sentences, it was written by an unknown author.

Have fun learning English everyone!

My teacher, I can notice that the same word can switch between verbs, nouns and adjectives( In English the same word can identify and take the shape as many parts of speech with the same pronunciation sometimes). To be sure that I understand it, I’ll give it a try to prove myself:

1.The bandage was tied around the injury(the first wound was verb and the second is noun).

2.The farm was used to grow food( with large quantity)(the first one is verb and the second is noun)

3.The dump was so full that it had to reject more rubbish (the first is verb and the second is noun but with different pronunciations).

4.We must clean the furniture which made in poland(the first one is verb and the second is adjective)

5.He could win if he would get the points out(the first is verb and the second is noun)(note: this sentence confused me, so explain it more my teacher, please!)

6.The soldier decided to leave his dessert in the desert(area of hot, dry land)(the first one is verb and the second is noun with different pronunciations)

7.Since there is no time like now, he thought it was time to introduce(give)the gift(the first and the third are noun whatever the second is verb with different pronunciations).

8.A fish was painted on the head of the double drum(both of them are noun but in different pronunciations).

9.When shot at, the white bird moved down quickly throw the air(the first is noun and the second is verb with different pronunciations).

10.I didn’t oppose to the topic(plan)(the first is verb, though the second is noun with different pronunciations).

11.The insurance was not acceptable for the sick (the first is adjective, though the second is noun).

12.There was an argument among the oarsmen about how to line(the first is noun, though the second is verb).

13.They were too near to the door to shut it(the first is adjective, though the second is verb with different pronunciations).

14.The buck performs funny things when the females are present(the first is verb ,though the second is noun with different pronunciations)

15.A seamstress and a sewing machine fell down into the pipe(both of them are    nouns).

16.To help with planting the farmer taught his pig to scatter(plough)(the first is noun and the second is verb).

17.The air was too strong to turn(twist)the sail(the first is noun, though the second is verb with different pronunciations).

18.Upon seeing the hole in the painting I shed a cry(both of them are nouns).

19.I had to submit the study to a series of tests(the first is verb ,though the second is noun).

20.How can I explain this to my close friends(the first is verb, though the second is adjective with difference pronunciations)

Finally here’s one which I composed: It’s a rough world, so take the rough with the smooth!

Thanks my teacher(you fill the tank with water …HEEEE) I worked a lot , got benefits and taught my eye how to catch anything while observing the dictionary.

Lesson 4B- Homonym sentences :

What is a Homonym?  Let’s take apart the word and discover its meaning.

Homo= Same / Onym= Word or name.

Therefore Homonyms are words with the same sound or spelling but with a different meaning.  However, all of these words are spelled the same but are pronounced differently with vastly different meanings. Consider the sentences below using homonyms:

1.  The bandage was wound around the wound.

2.  The farm was used to produce produce.

3.  The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4.  We must polish the Polish furniture.

5.  He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6.  The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7.  Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to presentthe present.

8.  A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9.  When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10. I did not object to the object.

11. The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

13. They were too close to the door to close it.

14. The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15. A seamtress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16. To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17. The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

18. Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

19. I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

20. How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Try to understand the pronunciation and meaning of these homonyms which will advance your understanding of an aspect of English.  If you have any questions please ask.

As far as I’ve understood, people do use double- negatives in the spoken language?

like

1.  The baby cried all night and I didn’t get no sleep!

2.  I can’t hardly wait for the test scores.

3.  We don’t want no money from you.

4.  The driver could not find no place to park.

5.  We don’t need no new laws on voting.

Thank you, Mr. Alston for these priceless tours into native lands of English language

Nijar, do you see the difference one letter can make?  Yes, humor and a play on words can be very effective methods of teaching and learning English. Thanks for your post. 

I just remember this dialogue from my primary school stage.

Tim:What you eat,Tom?

Tom:I eat a pear.

Tim:You eat a bear!(with wonder tone in his voice and face)

Tom:I eat a pear. the fruit,not the animal(he showed it to him)

I still remember it,and laugh.

My teacher:Don’t you think it’s really a funny way to make you love English?(play with words)

Lesson No. 4 – Homophones- Words with the same sound but with different meanings:

Spoken form- When these words are spoken, you cannot determine which word is used except by the context.

Written form- When writing English, this is one error you want to avoid because it will immediately be noticed by the reader.  This is especially true for a business that intends to advertise in English-speaking countries.  It would be better to hire a native-speaking proofreader from the country where the material will be read.

Examples:

1. Air, heir, err 2. Heal, hill  3. Here, hear 4. Know, no

5. Sea, see   6. Their, there, they’re    7. To, two, too

8. Unreal, unreel   9. Waist, waste    10.  Wait, weight

Here is a link to more examples:

http://www.homophone.com/index.php

Conclusion:

The method to use in correctly using homophone words is to gain practice in writing and use a dictionary to confirm the word you intend to use.

Finally, here is a quick lesson in using prefixes to help you in determining the meaning of a word.  The word: “homo-phone” has “homo” which means “same” and “phone” which means “speech sound.”

When you put these two words together, you have the meaning: “same speech sound.”

Learning prefixes and suffixes is a productive way of increasing your vocabulary.  If you learn the meaning of words one-by-one, unless you use them, you are not likely to remember all of them. 

Teaching a person how to fish is better than giving them a fish meal!

Next Lesson No. 5: Reading between the lines

Please remember tone, intonation, and emphasis where applicable. 

Thank you for the useful suggestion, dear Alston. :)

I will create a theme for the “dialogue” between “me” and “me” today starting from the simple subject with simple words and grammar to move to the complicated ones afterwards.

“10 minutes per day” are much effective than 45min or an hour per week. Your statement has been proved  by myself when I was learning English language in the early stages. The regularity is quite important. :)

I have noticed  that English language can easily be forgotten without some practice in the writing, listening or speaking. I had a long gap without English language ( about 3 years or more). During that time all my knowledge that seemed to be not bad in the University evaporated from my mind  completely :D  I should have started to learn it from the level of beginner again. :D

Nowadays, I pay lots of attention and time to English language because it turns from my hobby to the elementary  help of the homework my kids must do three times per week.

When they reach the level of simple discussion of simple things around them  I’ m looking forward to play a scene  with  some roles in English. It will be  something like a short theatrical performance. I think it would be useful  for them to learn English in the way like that. 

Lesya, “keep on moving forward” is your key, even if it’s only 10 minutes per day.

In regards to role play with yourself, here is my suggestion: In your mother tongue, ask a question or make a statement.  Then answer it or respond in English.  For example, if Person A says in Russian: It’s a hot day today!  Person B would respond: “Yes, I know, we must keep ourselves hydrated” (in English).

The dialogue can get as advanced as you like.  Hope this helps everyone to move forward all by yourself!

Dear, Alston thank you for the advices. I will definitely  follow them.

Writing in English and listening to the native speakers (in low speed of speech of course)  is more comfortable for me than speaking myself, though native speakers I’m talking to on Skype tell me that I’m understandable. :D

I always say them I don’t believe them considering their praise as a friendly flattery or just teacher’s encouragement to lift my “English hobby” up :D 

I took the abvice about “role play and speak to yourself until you have an opportunity” . I thought it never works when I speak to myself in English :)

Now I see the professional teacher recommends.

Without any hesitation I will use this method :)

I’m keep on moving forward 

Hello Lesya and Everyone,

If you try to learn every word, every phrase, every variation and possible way of expressing something, you might as well resign yourself to defeat.  The way to learn this language is to learn some words, jump in and start speaking and writing.  If no one is available to speak to, role play and speak to yourself until you have an opportunity.  Continue learning and don’t worry about what it’s called grammatically until later (if you want.)

Your English is written very good, but many are afraid to write because they may make mistakes.  There is no way to learn anything without making mistakes!

Keep moving forward in exposing yourself to various aspects of English and you’ll be amazed at your progress! 

English language abounds with words with many different meanings. This is one of many reasons why English language is so complicated.

Gerund, phrasal verbs, tenses are on the top of the most difficult grammar points for me to understand because they can’t be compared with Russian grammar for better understanding. 

Lesson No. 3 – Analyzing different ways of saying the same thing :

English characteristics- Communicating in English allows the speaker to use various words and phrases to express the same intent (meaning.)  This can be confusing to the student of English in comparison to other languages.

For example, in classic Greek there are at least 3 different words for the  English word “love” depending on the context.  However, in English there is only the word “love” to express affection for anything. 

Therefore, we compensate for this inadequacy in the language by using additional words to express the intended meaning.  This is why translators will translate material into English differently than each other and still have the same basic meaning.  Consider the English examples below:

1. I am going to the store.

2. I’m going to the store.

3. I am headed for the store.

4. I’m headed for the store.

5. To the store, I shall go.

6. See you at the store.

7. I am going to be at the store.

All of these examples express the same basic meaning of the person destination is the store.

This is a reason why you must be immersed in English if you intend to learn it fluently.  Expose yourself to many avenues of English, ie. literature, conversation, music, movies, interviews and any other forms of English expression.

The US Presidential Debates is an excellent English learning exercise to analyze the conversation.  Locate it on the internet and take your time to cultivate your understanding.

Next Lesson No. 4- Words with the same sound but different meanings

You’re welcome Anja!

Lesya, learning and practicing a foreign language is indeed a great exercise for people’s brain. Just like they say…“If you don’t use it, you lose it” ;)

So let’s keep on practicing while we’re having fun …

I’m just so glad Alston serves us enough challenges to boost our brain-power;)

Thanks a lot for that, dear Alston :)

Hello Lesya, it is good you have a great interest in identifying the mood of the writer.  Apparently you have developed a skill to identify the personality of the writer.  As long as you are accurate in your assessment, that is fantastic!

Anja, I admire the fact that you immediately put into practice that which you learn and offer feedback.  By observing people communicating, you can relate it to the actual meaning of the words they use.  Therefore, without knowing the meaning of some words used, you can make an educated guess and understand the meaning of the word(s) or come pretty close to it.

In the case of writing, I’m in total agreement with you.  It’s more challenging to determine the mood of a writer, however, if you see a pattern of thought, you can begin to see the mindset of the writer.  Let’s take a look at a contrast between speaking and writing.

Consider reversing the words “can you” and “you can” in a statement:

Speaking:

1. Can you? This meaning is: Are you able to do something?

2. You can!  This meaning is: You are permitted or able to do something.

Now, in the case of “you can,” if you speak it with emphasis, the meaning will change from being permitted or able to do something into a question of: Are you able to do something?  This change is the result of using an emphatic tone and intonation.  (You CAN-N-N?)

To express this in written form would require you to use additional words to adequately express it using a question mark.  In written form it would be:

Do you think you can do it?

In spoken English, the speaker can use the words “you can” with a “Hmm” type of expression by pressing the lips firmly together and a tilt/nodding of the head to express the thought.  It’s a classic use of implication in making a statement implying “I don’t think so!”

Learning the particulars of conversational English can be fun and doesn’t have to be difficult.  As Lesya has said, “the thinking, writing and speaking a foreign language is perfect sport for the brain!”

The thinking, writting and speaking in foreign languagе is a perfect “sport” for the brain. Languages improve our mind. Do you agree? What is your professional opinion being a teacher, Anja?

How I wish I could be your and Alston’s student. It would be interesting for me to listen you and Alston in the classroom