Just to clarify; this is written about all the native-born Americans who are SUPPOSED to know English.
Swedes and others who actually DECIDED to speak English are exempt. I have a lot of respect for anyone who learns a second language.
I have some experience with the Spanish language and, to steal a line from Steve Martin, they "have a different word for EVERYTHING!". And to conjugate a verb in Spanish is to admit that I don't know anything in the world about grammar "under the hood". I listen to Spanish better than I speak it, and that's not saying much. Actually, I know just enough to be dangerous to myself and my 15 year old daughter who is taking Spanish in high school.
I also have several Chinese friends and associates, and their comand of our language, spoken and written, is astounding. To listen to them speak to me in English and to someone else in Chinese puts me to shame.
So, Mikael, you are doing fine, and maybe you could even teach some Texans a thing or two about our language!
6 comments:
Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things.
Flora Lewis
Anonymous is so eloquent!
eloquent but shy...
In talking, shyness and timidity distort the very meaning of my words. I don't pretend to know anybody well. People are like shadows to me and I am like a shadow.
Gwen John
so now are you making light of MY words, or are you making dark of them?
i hate philosophy, it's so confusing!
All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.
Epictetus
Does that clear it up for you?
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