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Limitations when discussing in a foreign language
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| DuBam |
Everything on this board is more or less discussed in English, as we all know. But many (most?) of us do not have English as our mother tongue. Over the years I have noticed just how much this affects my output. I mean, if I would post in Finnish, the length of my average post would probably be twice as long. And I feel that there is so much I have to leave unsaid, simply because I don't know how to say it.
I guess the people who have English as their own language are sort of excluded from this thread. But if anyone of you English speakers post on a non-English forum, you might have the same situation?
Does anyone of you feel the same way? Or do you just write it down as good as you can, and let it end up looking like a post by nachos? :p |
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| Sushipunk |
| quote: | Originally posted by DuBam
I feel that there is so much I have to leave unsaid, simply because I don't know how to say it. |
I find that hard to believe Bam. You speak (or write?) better English than most native English speakers on this forum. |
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| Rose |
| quote: | Originally posted by DuBam
Or do you just write it down as good as you can, and let it end up looking like a post by nachos? :p |
:stongue: |
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| Cloudburst |
| quote: | Originally posted by DuBam
Everything on this board is more or less discussed in English, as we all know. But many (most?) of us do not have English as our mother tongue. Over the years I have noticed just how much this affects my output. I mean, if I would post in Finnish, the length of my average post would probably be twice as long. And I feel that there is so much I have to leave unsaid, simply because I don't know how to say it.
I guess the people who have English as their own language are sort of excluded from this thread. But if anyone of you English speakers post on a non-English forum, you might have the same situation?
Does anyone of you feel the same way? Or do you just write it down as good as you can, and let it end up looking like a post by nachos? :p |
I feel the same way, most especially when it comes to more advanced discussions and scientific topics. It's just too much work for a message board.
I usually like to think I'm pretty awesome in English, since I read all my books in English, see all movies without subs etc.
But it's still nowhere near as good as my mother language. |
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| Sushipunk |
| quote: | Originally posted by Cloudburst
I feel the same way, most especially when it comes to more advanced discussions and scientific topics. It's just too much work for a message board.
I usually like to think I'm pretty awesome in English, since I read all my books in English, see all movies without subs etc.
But it's still nowhere near as good as my mother language. |
You speak/write excellent English too though. Probably better than I do. |
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| Mr.Mystery |
In a regular discussion like this I don't feel it limits my ability to write down exactly what I want at all - it's only the more scientific stuff that gives me a hard time.
Then again, I don't like any scientific talk in Finnish either. |
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| Sushipunk |
| quote: | Originally posted by Mr.Mystery
In a regular discussion like this I don't feel it limits my ability to write down exactly what I want at all - it's only the more scientific stuff that gives me a hard time.
Then again, I don't like any scientific talk in Finnish either. |
Your style of writing comes across very strongly as British influenced. Again though, perfect English.
Damn, all the Scando's are out at once :p |
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| DuBam |
| quote: | Originally posted by Sushipunk
I find that hard to believe Bam. You speak (or write?) better English than most native English speakers on this forum. |
That's just because I only post if I'm (almost) certain that my grammar is correct ;)
If I could 'write what I want' in English, you would see a whole lot more text from me. |
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| Sushipunk |
| quote: | Originally posted by DuBam
That's just because I only post if I'm (almost) certain that my grammar is correct ;)
If I could 'write what I want' in English, you would see a whole lot more text from me. |
You should 'write what you want' in English. If it's not perfect, you may be corrected, and your English will only get better as a result :)
Even with imperfect English, I doubt you would have much trouble getting your message across, which is essentially the point of forums, right? |
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| Ridexer |
| Sometimes this annoys the hell out of me... Especially when it's about scientific stuff that I would have knowledge off, but the terms are different and can't just bring it as I would in Finnish... |
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| Cloudburst |
| I got this feeling not too long ago when I read a post by Hal. Damn that boy can't write! I felt a pang of envy right there. :p |
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| Frenkieee |
I've been discussing things on international internet boards for years, along with playing video games with English speech/text and watching TV shows in English. Plus, I happened to do pretty well in English class too. Therefore, I believe my grammar and spelling are excellent. But when I see native English speakers use hard words and tricky expressions, I realize I will never reach the level of such a native speaker.
Also, when I have to speak in English, then I often have hard times coming up with a certain word, simply due to the fact that I've never had to speak that much English. When I'm posting here, I get to think over what words to use, if the grammar is correct, etcetera.
I do believe that when I'd be forced to speak English 24/7 (e.g. if I'd go on an internship in England or something), I'd pick it up pretty quickly. |
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