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Hello,English is a decisive tool to my career and I've learned it for a long long time. Recently some people from other countries tell me that my English is not native. It's true but they cannot offer any helpful suggestion but say "read more" or "go abroad." Although they probably try their best to help me, I only feel more confused. I have a shot at asking this here: How can I know whether a word is acceptable (native) or not in a certain context? Is there any books/dictionaries providing such information? (For example, many told me that "seldom" is rarely used but Chinese people like to use it.)Thank a "trillion"!Jeremy Chen @ Taiwan

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Hello, English is a decisive tool to my career and I've learned it for a long long time. Recently some ... me that "seldom" is rarely used but Chinese people like to use it.) Thank a "trillion"! Jeremy Chen @ Taiwan[/nq]
Why do you want your English to be "native"? You don't seem to have any problems making yourself understood. Aside from drastic moves such as going abroad or acquiring a horizontal dictionary, you could just find ways to listen to or read more native English. From observation of others, I have to think it's not all that easy, depending on the person and their age.

I'm not sure about your comment regarding "seldom", but maybe it is like "already", which Chinese people like to use for the "le" particle (which modifies actions to past tense). For example, "I go to the bank already" rather than "I have gone to the bank" or "I went to the bank" or even "I've already been to the bank". It's rarely used by native speakers in the particular way that those people use it. In general, the problems I hear in the English of native Chinese speakers are more often related to plurals, tense and grammar than vocabulary. You may be able to find special books in Taiwan (for example, at Caves) that directly deal with the typical issues that Chinese speakers have with English. As an adult learner, depending on the way your brain works, that approach may work much better than just trying to pick it up by osmosis.

I'll re-write your paragraph in an attempt to interpret it and make it sound more native. Others may not agree with the below, but it is how I might say it without changing your words too much.

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[nq:1]English is crucial to my career and I've studied it for a long, long time. Recently, I've been told by ... such information? For example, many people told me that "seldom" is rarely used, but Chinese people like to use it.[/nq]
---

Best regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" (Email Removed) Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Why do you want your English to be "native"? You don't seem to have any problems making yourself understood. Aside ... read more native English. From observation of others, I have to think it's not all that easy, depending on the[/nq]
It's "I have to say". Another case of "cheap originality":

http://www.bartleby.com/116/307.html#3
[nq:1]I'll re-write your paragraph in an attempt to interpret it and make it sound more native. Others may not agree with the below, but it is how I might say it without changing your words too much. ---[/nq]
[nq:2]English is crucial to my career and I've studied it ... "seldom" is rarely used, butChinese people like to use it.[/nq]
First of all: whyever did you put your response in quotes (>) ? Second: that's not at all what he meant to say. He never said anything about "books or dictionaries". And you missed the whole bit about "people from other countries". You'd make an awful translator.

Usenet · Answer

on 10 Dec 2003:
[nq:1]Hello, English is a decisive tool to my career and I've learned it for a long long time. Recently some ... providing such information? (For example, many told me that "seldom" is rarely used but Chinese people like to use it.)[/nq]
I agree 100% with Spehro Pefhany's response and rewrite of your post.

If you live in southern Taiwan near Cheng Da, then let me know in a post and perhaps we can discuss your English at the coffee shop there --- no charge because I'm not interested in acquiring private students.

-- Franke: EFL teacher & medical editor.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Why do you want your English to be "native"? You ... to think it's not all that easy, depending on the[/nq]
[nq:1]It's "I have to say". Another case of "cheap originality": http://www.bartleby.com/116/307.html#3[/nq]
[nq:2]I'll re-write your paragraph in an attempt to interpret it ... might say it without changing your words too much. ---[/nq]
[nq:1]English are Are Chinese First of all: whyever did you put your response in quotes (>) ?[/nq]
I did not put my response in quotes, I left the tags in place for the modified paragraph part of the response. It was easier and there was no possibility of confusion. "Whyever"?
[nq:1]Second: that's not at all what he meant to say. He never said anything about "books or dictionaries". ?[/nq]
"books/dictionaries". Certainly if you want to be **** about it you could write "dictionaries or other books"? Or do you see another possibility?
[nq:1]And you missed the whole bit about "people from other countries".[/nq]
What whole bit do you think was missed?

Original: Recently some people from other countries tell me that my English is not native.

Changed to: Recently, I've been told by people from other countries that my English does not not sound native.
[nq:1]You'd make an awful translator.[/nq]
Let's see your better version, andrew. My goal was to make it sound "native" with minimum change.

Best regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" (Email Removed) Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Hello, English is a decisive tool to my career and I've learned it for a long long time. Recently ... "read more" or "go abroad." Although they probably try their best to help me, I only feel more confused.[/nq]
There are several different ?native? versions of English: American, English, Strine, (Australia), Indian, not to mention numerous dialects. Each has its own accent, usually how the vowels are pronounced.
[nq:1]I have a shot at asking this here: How can I know whether a word is acceptable (native) or ... one in 25. There are dictionaries for translating English into American and the reverse, so even ?native? speakers have problems.[/nq]
A non native speaker tends to think in his/her own languuage and translate into the language they are using. Words in one language often do not have a direct equivalent in another, which produces strange effects. Learn about these.

If you want to learn English* listen to the BBC World Service. If you want to learn *American* Listen to Voice of America. Films tend to be written in *Mid Atlantic a lowest common denominator sort of English, which may be useful. Avoid Strine, Indian and all dialects.

Dave F

Usenet · Answer

Hello Franke,

Unfortunately, I live in Taipei. It's very kind of you to offer it. If you visit Taipei or I visit Cheng Da some time, I can still treat you a cup of coffee.

Jeremy Chen

"CyberCypher" (Email Removed) In news:(Email Removed) Worte...
[nq:1]I agree 100% with Spehro Pefhany's response and rewrite of your post. If you live in southern Taiwan near Cheng ... shop there --- no charge because I'm not interested in acquiring private students. -- Franke: EFL teacher & medical editor.[/nq]

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]If you live in southern Taiwan near Cheng Da, then let me know in a post and perhaps we can discuss your English at the coffee shop there[/nq]
Did the recent earthquake cause you any problems? I hope not. -- Skitt (in Hayward, California) www.geocities.com/opus731/

Usenet · Answer

on 11 Dec 2003:
[nq:2]If you live in southern Taiwan near Cheng Da, then ... we can discuss your English at the coffee shop there[/nq]
[nq:1]Did the recent earthquake cause you any problems? I hope not.[/nq]
No, no problems down here in the south that I am aware of. The epicenter was fairly close, almost due east one the eastern coast of Taiwan. It was a 6.6 quake, but even in Taipei, where buildings also shook for one minute, no damage or injuries have been reported. My house also shook for a long minute, but nothing fell down. Thank you for asking.

-- Franke: EFL teacher & medical editor.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Second: that's not at all what he meant to say. He never said anything about"books or dictionaries". ?[/nq]
[nq:1] "books/dictionaries". Certainly if you want to be **** about it you could write "dictionaries or other books"? Or do you see another possibility? My mistake: I didn't see it.[/nq]
[nq:2]And you missed the whole bit about "people from other countries".[/nq]
[nq:1]What whole bit do you think was missed? Original: Recently some people from other countries tell me that my English is not native. Changed to: Recently, I've been told by people from other countries that my English does not not sound native. My bad again.[/nq]
[nq:2]You'd make an awful translator.[/nq]
[nq:1]Let's see your better version, andrew. My goal was to make it sound "native" with minimum change.[/nq]
To sound as native as possible I'd write the middle part like this:

Lately some people from other countries have told me that my English does not sound native. It's true, but they can't offer any help except to say "read more" or "go abroad". Try as they might to help me, I only feel more confused.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]If you live in southern Taiwan near Cheng Da, then ... we can discuss your English at the coffee shop there[/nq]
[nq:1]Did the recent earthquake cause you any problems? I hope not.[/nq]
How about me, how about me! Don't you want to know about problems in my part of the world? How about those French people? Shouldn't we well wish them, with all those floods they've been experiencing? And please don't forget about stray cats. Many of them are having trouble finding enough to eat, `ya know.

(Sorry, Skitt. My annual outburst or two along these lines is necessary, believe me. This season of "good will" inspires them, somehow.)

-- Charles Riggs Email address: chriggs¦at¦eircom¦dot¦net

'I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means "put down..."' Bob Newhart

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