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Forbes Posted 19 years ago
Linguistics Studies

Talking about language

Can we say anything useful about language that we do not already intuitively know?
  

Top answer

I don't know what you particularly want to talk about, but I've noticed something recently that I'd like to share: I've been surfing the net for useful writing tips, and I stumbled upon some HK sites on this topic. A couple of them have included this disclaimer: "Do not try this technique unless you're an advanced learner" or something to that effect. " The problem with HK learners, or perhaps ESL learners in general, is their incorrect use of overly sophisticated words, phrases and sentence structures.

— Julielai

  • I don't know what you particularly want to talk about, but I've noticed something recently that I'd like to share: I've been surfing the net for useful writing tips, and I stumbled upon some HK sites on this topic.
  • A couple of them have included this disclaimer: "Do not try this technique unless you're an advanced learner" or something to that effect.
  • " The problem with HK learners, or perhaps ESL learners in general, is their incorrect use of overly sophisticated words, phrases and sentence structures.
  • Somehow they get the idea that the "hard stuff" will impress their peers and teachers!
  • If someone tells them not to try a difficult technique, they'll just go and do exactly the opposite, just to be a member of this "Advanced Learners' Club"!
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17 Answers
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I don't know what you particularly want to talk about, but I've noticed something recently that I'd like to share:

I've been surfing the net for useful writing tips, and I stumbled upon some HK sites on this topic. A couple of them have included this disclaimer: "Do not try this technique unless you're an advanced learner" or something to that effect.

I think it's totally unwise
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ForbesCan we say anything useful about language that we do not already intuitively know?

Who's "we"?
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<The Yangtze flows east
Washing away
A thousand ages of great men
>

I thought it was the women who did the washing.
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Milky<The Yangtze flows east
Washing away
A thousand ages of great men
>

I thought it was the women who did the washing.
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Passive voice version for Milky:

Can anything useful be said about language that is not already intuitively known?
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Julielai
Milky
<The Yangtze flows east
Washing away
A thousand ages of great men
>

I thought it was the women who did the washing.
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ForbesPassive voice version for Milky:

Can anything useful be said about language that is not already intuitively known?

Known by whom?
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MilkyKnown by whom?
Those who use language.
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Forbes
MilkyKnown by whom?
Those who use language.

How about if we put your question this way, Forbes.

"Can you, Forbes, say anything useful about language that you do not already intuitively know?"
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Milky"Can you, Forbes, say anything useful about language that you do not already intuitively know?"
I think probably not. I emphasise the word "useful" here and that I refer to "language" as opposed to "a language."

A description of a language is not useful to someone who speaks it, but is to someone who wants to learn it, but any description is ulti
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