View Full Version : Stupid Fucking Americans
Arguing on *** over whether niche is pronounced "neesh" or "nitch". And they bring up dictionaries that say both are correct? Must have been written by americans to justify their almighty ignorance.
I heard a WM radio-show once where the speaker called it "nitch". Took me a couple of seconds to realise what they meant, then I put it down to it just being one ignorant person not knowing the word. Didn't realise most of them pronounce it like that. I despair.. I really do..
Reminds me of a similar discussion years back on whether delphi is pronounced "delf-ee" or "delf-eye".
Can't we nuke the place? LOL
mOBSCENE
12-04-06, 05:13 PM
Arguing on *** over whether niche is pronounced "neesh" or "nitch". And they bring up dictionaries that say both are correct? Must have been written by americans to justify their almighty ignorance.
I heard a WM radio-show once where the speaker called it "nitch". Took me a couple of seconds to realise what they meant, then I put it down to it just being one ignorant person not knowing the word. Didn't realise most of them pronounce it like that. I despair.. I really do..
Reminds me of a similar discussion years back on whether delphi is pronounced "delf-ee" or "delf-eye".
Can't we nuke the place? LOL
It's "nish" isn't it?
it always makes me laugh when americans say "vehicle" :D
yea its annoying they say nitch and they can't say aluminium either
if it they were sposed to sound like they would be spelt aloominum and nitch
It's "nish" isn't it?
The dictionaries say there are only two accepted pronunciations. Neesh and Nitch.
Without looking into it any further I'm still betting that nitch only even entered the picture to satisfy an american audience/consumer.
yea its annoying they say nitch and they can't say aluminium either
if it they were sposed to sound like they would be spelt aloominum and nitch
OK, pronounce Houston. When I hear Brits say Hooston, I just crack up. Aluminum in Canada and the US is spelled without the extra i. Hence aloominum. It came from a typo in a brochure produced by one of the biggest aluminum producers and they never bothered to change it and it stuck. But I would say that on both sides of the Atlantic there are some really stupid pronunciations and the Brits are just as guilty. Hell, I have been up north and I can barely understand what people are saying and they are supposedly speaking English. So I have to say the title of this thread is just a bit....dare I say.....stupid?
OK, pronounce Houston.
Hyooston.
So I have to say the title of this thread is just a bit....dare I say.....stupid?
Of course it is.. that's because us brit's don't lack irony..
It's like 'aluminium' since when has it ever meen aloo'minum
wankmaster
12-04-06, 05:53 PM
Aluminum.
The earliest citation given in the Oxford English Dictionary for any word used as a name for this element is alumium, which Humphry Davy employed in 1808 for the metal he was trying to isolate electrolytically from the mineral alumina. The citation is from his journal Philosophical Transactions: "Had I been so fortunate as..to have procured the metallic substances I was in search of, I should have proposed for them the names of silicium, alumium, zirconium, and glucium." [11]
By 1812, Davy had settled on aluminum, which, as other sources note, matches its Latin root. He wrote in the journal Chemical Philosophy: "As yet Aluminum has not been obtained in a perfectly free state."[12] But the same year, an anonymous contributor to the Quarterly Review, a British political-literary journal, objected to aluminum and proposed the name aluminium, "for so we shall take the liberty of writing the word, in preference to aluminum, which has a less classical sound." [13]
So the Americans use the original spelling and pronunciation. There are other examples of how the Americans retained original spellings, pronunciations and grammars which the British later changed, and ignorantly now assume that they have the original and the "stupid americans" changed it. Theres' a great discussion on this in Melvin Braggs "Adventure of English"
Gotta be 'neesh' every time. 'Nitch' or 'nishay' just 'sucks balls' ;)
My favourite story is when the Times of London imported the first cross word puzzle which was invented by an American. At the last minute before going to press they realised it wouldn't work because one of the words used was color. The whole thing had to be reworked.
My favourite story is when the Times of London imported the first cross word puzzle which was invented by an American. At the last minute before going to press they realised it wouldn't work because one of the words used was color. The whole thing had to be reworked.
Now that is an apocryphal story.
WordsforHire
12-04-06, 06:07 PM
'neesh'
Now that is an apocryphal story.
was that four across or five down? Refresh my memory.
Platinum Bryan
12-04-06, 06:13 PM
I think its pronounced neesh. However, I am Canadian and we always getting lumped in with the Americans for some stupied reason.
So the Americans use the original spelling and pronunciation. There are other examples of how the Americans retained original spellings, pronunciations and grammars which the British later changed, and ignorantly now assume that they have the original and the "stupid americans" changed it. Theres' a great discussion on this in Melvin Braggs "Adventure of English"
"ignorantly now assume that they have the original" of cause we do, its the ENGLISH language, if we change the spelling and pronounciation of "apple" to "beetroot" then that would tbe the correct ENGLISH way of saying it.
dvtimes
12-04-06, 06:22 PM
neesh
redwhiteandblue
12-04-06, 06:22 PM
And another thing. We don't make cars called "Jagwars" ok? It's Jag - u - ar!!!
of cause we do, its the ENGLISH language
"of cause"
did you mean to say, "of course," while you were lecturing Americans about how to speak English properly?
we always getting lumped in with the Americans for some stupied reason
yes, that is really "stupied" of people.
was that four across or five down? Refresh my memory.
Too much Chardonnay to do that, I'm sure you know the feeling.
Anyhoo, take some advice from your avatar :cheers2:
dvtimes
12-04-06, 06:23 PM
And another thing. We don't make cars called "Jagwars" ok? It's Jag - u - ar!!!
Jags
And another thing. We don't make cars called "Jagwars" ok? It's Jag - u - ar!!!
Ah yes, and who owns the Jaguar brand now? Ford.
You know, just like Aston-Martin and Land Rover.
Platinum Bryan
12-04-06, 06:28 PM
"of cause"
did you mean to say, "of course," while you were lecturing Americans about how to speak English properly?
yes, that is really "stupied" of people.
Wow man, I guess you feel better about yourself now. You know I'm sure you've never made a typo......Retard
Wow man, I guess you feel better about yourself now. You know I'm sure you've never made a typo......Retard
Don't be stupied now, I've never made a typo in a thread criticizing how other people use a language.
Retarried.
Too much Chardonnay to do that, I'm sure you know the feeling.
Anyhoo, take some advice from your avatar :cheers2:
Isn't it a little early for that? But you do get an e for effort.:banghead:
redwhiteandblue
12-04-06, 06:45 PM
Ah yes, and who owns the Jaguar brand now? Ford.
You know, just like Aston-Martin and Land Rover.
I'm sure there's a point in there somewhere.
"of cause"
did you mean to say, "of course," while you were lecturing Americans about how to speak English properly?
yes, that is really "stupied" of people.
it was a spelling mistake, it happens because i'm not the best typist nor the best speller. Are you telling me that you have NEVER made a typing mistake?
Don't be stupied now, I've never made a typo in a thread criticizing how other people use a language.
Retarried.
actually no, i was defending the use of the english language, i may not be able to spell but i can read! :gaylords:
'Thanks'
Your most welcome. A kind word should always be recognised.
it was a spelling mistake, it happens because i'm not the best typist nor the best speller. Are you telling me that you have NEVER made a typing mistake?
No, you probably do pronounce it as "cause" because that would be the chav way of pronouncing it. :gaylords:
"Ahf cause I'd loike some tee wit muh crumpets, mum."
-Rogue
Cardinal_Sin
12-04-06, 06:50 PM
Wow man, I guess you feel better about yourself now. You know I'm sure you've never made a typo......Retard
Yanks love calling names - Don't they?
They don't understand the difference between an adjective and an adverb:
How are you? I'm good! A question beginning with how, what why where etc, can only correctly be answered with an adverb. "I am well"
And, the form "to be" ... How often do you hear some intellectual Yank come up with - Yea, we was there... Yes, you really was!
I'm sure there's a point in there somewhere.
I'm sure there's a point to "redwhiteandblue" as a username, if you hate Americans?
Yea, we was there... Yes, you really was!
Sounds like East London to me lol
No, you probably do pronounce it as "cause" because that would be the chav way of pronouncing it. :gaylords:
"Ahf cause I'd loike some tee wit muh crumpets, mum."
-Rogue
LOL, you mixed west country with NW, i'm from essex, innit!
I'm sure there's a point to "redwhiteandblue" as a username, if you hate Americans?
Maybe he is French.
wankmaster
12-04-06, 06:56 PM
The British are not to clever with the verb "to be" either. How many times do you hear this:
"If I was rich I'd buy a new car". For example?
And another thing. We don't make cars called "Jagwars" ok? It's Jag - u - ar!!!
Who cares how you say it? If you own them, you can call them anything you like.
or he likes the Union Flag
redwhiteandblue
12-04-06, 06:59 PM
I'm sure there's a point to "redwhiteandblue" as a username, if you hate Americans?
I don't hate Americans at all. I just wish they could pronounce "Jaguar".
The British are not to clever with the verb "to be" either. How many times do you hear this:
"If I was rich I'd buy a new car". For example?
'too', not 'to'! :cheers2:
Cardinal_Sin
12-04-06, 06:59 PM
The British are not to clever with the verb "to be" either. How many times do you hear this:
"If I was rich I'd buy a new car". For example?
True - Very few people can use any of the conditional senteces correctly
True - Very few people can use any of the conditional senteces correctly
sentences, not 'senteces'!
I don't hate Americans at all. I just wish they could pronounce "Jaguar".
well you should after this thread, innit? innit? :gaylords:
Damn, forgot the beermug, but nevertheless, a gentle rib, before you do me for the way I spell spel ;)
It seems to me speaking a language is like driving a car. You don't have to know the mechanics. Nor do you have to be able to turn a wrench to fix it. There are people we hire to do that for us. We just drive 'em. Some drive better than others, but as long as we don't crash into each other, it matters not.
edit: However if I see one more freeking person spell loser with two o's I am going to loose it.
wankmaster
12-04-06, 07:05 PM
True - Very few people can use any of the conditional senteces correctly
In English, the conditional mood is a compound verb form consisting of the modal auxiliary verb would (or could, might, should) and the infinitive form of the main verb.
My example was of the subjunctive mood, which is a different kettle of fish.
Cardinal_Sin
12-04-06, 07:22 PM
In English, the conditional mood is a compound verb form consisting of the modal auxiliary verb would (or could, might, should) and the infinitive form of the main verb.
My example was of the subjunctive mood, which is a different kettle of fish.
The conditional sentence...
The condition of the sentence is the first part -
If I were... (1st conditional)
If they had been (perfect conditional)
If the condition is met, or if the condition is about a time in the past which is now unchangeable, then we get the second part (something which is either possible or impossible)
wankmaster
12-04-06, 07:28 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conditional_mood
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subjunctive_mood
"If I were... " is an example of the subjunctive, not the conditional.
smoothballs
12-04-06, 07:28 PM
my massive oxford word finder has it as Niche= nich/neesh :Penis
smoothballs
12-04-06, 07:30 PM
also...how the yanks say "missile" they pronounce it as "miss-all" then again they usually do miss all the bloody intended targets! hehe! I'm chuffed with myself for that one, think I may go and pour myself a brandy in celebration!
ciggiez
12-04-06, 07:31 PM
Reminds me of when I was in Vegas and ordered a Tuna Melt sandwich:
Me: "I'll have a Tyooner Melt, please."
Waitress: (confused look) "a what, darlin'?"
Me: "A Tyooner Melt, please."
Waitress (long pause) "Oh, you mean a Tooner Melt?"
Me: "Yes, that's what I said a Tyooner Melt."
Waitress: (falls into heaps of hysterical laughter) "Say it again, wouldya?"
Me: "Tyooner."
Waitress: (even more hysterical laughter) "Hey, Marcie, come and listen to this."
Ten minutes later and I had every waitress and half the customers in the place gathered around the table listening to me say "Tuna" over and over again, the whole place erupting in laughter every time I said it, like I was a performing seal or something.
I guess some people are just easily amused.
Next time I wanted to eat, I just ordered a fucking burger.
Cardinal_Sin
12-04-06, 07:37 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conditional_mood
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subjunctive_mood
"If I were... " is an example of the subjunctive, not the conditional.
Conditional and subjective verb forms are very much alike -
However - If you want to confuse the World when teaching English to foriegn students - Go ahead -
If you teach English using Swan or any recognised O or C courses, you would be hard stretched to find a distinction between your hair splitting -
"Nuts and Bolts of English" Gives If I were/If I go ... as the present conditional (also known as the 1st conditional)
I am quite happy to stick with that
wankmaster
12-04-06, 07:47 PM
The subjunctive mood is a distinct verb form and is often confused in English because it has all but disappeared, tho it is still correct usage.
Most European languages have a thriving subjunctive, and I'd expect many foreign students to be quite at home with the subjunctive and not at all confused since they would use it naturally and correctly every day of the week in their own language.
One person's "hair splitting" is another's "correct usage".
so you feel we are suffering from collective Subjunctivitis?
Cardinal_Sin
12-04-06, 08:01 PM
The subjunctive mood is a distinct verb form and is often confused in English because it has all but disappeared, tho it is still correct usage.
Most European languages have a thriving subjunctive, and I'd expect many foreign students to be quite at home with the subjunctive and not at all confused since they would use it naturally and correctly every day of the week in their own language.
One person's "hair splitting" is another's "correct usage".
Correct maybe. English is still evolving - Otherwise we would be reading the Times written by modern day G Choucers'
Current reference books give "conditional" You split hairs, I stick with correct usage
wankmaster
12-04-06, 08:17 PM
I wasn't being serious.
Of course day to day usage is important, and English is evolving all the time, my "hair splitting" was intended to illustrate the stupidity of believing that the British somehow own the English language, and all other versions are corruptions.
We don't have an Académie française, for English, which is just as well.
Cardinal_Sin
12-04-06, 09:01 PM
I wasn't being serious.
Of course day to day usage is important, and English is evolving all the time, my "hair splitting" was intended to illustrate the stupidity of believing that the British somehow own the English language, and all other versions are corruptions.
We don't have an Académie française, for English, which is just as well.
Totally agree -
I read a language paper recently written by a Yank on his studies of spoken American in and around the Philly area - Quite amazing that the writer of this paper noticed many distinct changes in usage over a 30 year period - Many of his case studies had been with him during this 30 year period.
We only have to go back 350-400 years to find there were many different languages spoken in England - Of course, that has evolved to three - English, Yorkshire and Geordie (I have omitted East London as that now is more or less integrated since the invention of colour tv.) Some would argue the Midlands as being a genuine contender for a covetted 4th spot - But, as no one ever goes there, a case study hasn't been completed since the beginning of WW1.
Wow... I know that us Yanks are pretty much hated worldwide with a big thanks to our current admin.
And I'll be the first to admit that my country is FULL of morons... BUT... there are a ton of us here who aren't arrogant, religious, hypocritical dicks LOL.
Just for my own knowledge... seriously... does the anger result from the aforementioned... or more?
And I'll be the first to admit that my country is FULL of morons... BUT... there are a ton of us here who aren't arrogant, religious, hypocritical dicks LOL.
Every country has 'em, but yours is the only country with a President who said "Most of our imports come from outside our country".
I love Americans (especially when they're visiting Yurup); they're always guaranteed to raise a smile.
I love Americans (especially when they're visiting Yurup); they're always guaranteed to raise a smile.
true story, i one had an american on MSN, who was suprised that we speak english in england!
true story, i one had an american on MSN, who was suprised that we speak english in england!
I can't beat that, although I once worked with an American who believed that Paris was the capital of Yurup. It took a lot of persuading (ending with a trip to the local bookshop) to convince her that she was wrong.
Oh well shit... you could give a geography test to many of the people in the US and they wouldn't even know where certain US states and cities are located.
And anything our president says is a moot point. He's an idiot who puts his foot in his mouth just by opening it.
There are plenty decent Americans otherwise... and if any of you are going to be in Vegas in January, I suggest you have a beer or three with one of em... ME :D
I can't beat that, although I once worked with an American who believed that Paris was the capital of Yurup. It took a lot of persuading (ending with a trip to the local bookshop) to convince her that she was wrong.
When I lived in Toronto, I had a English friend call me up and told me he would be visiting Vancouver and would I be interested in stopping by for lunch. Two sides to every coin.
Wow... I know that us Yanks are pretty much hated worldwide with a big thanks to our current admin.
And I'll be the first to admit that my country is FULL of morons... BUT... there are a ton of us here who aren't arrogant, religious, hypocritical dicks LOL.
Just for my own knowledge... seriously... does the anger result from the aforementioned... or more?
There actually was irony in the title, and not hate. Americans are stupid in the same way as Brits are moaning cunts. It's a generalisation that you just can't taint everyone with, but is still an accepted flogging stick hehe. There are certainly stupid brits too.. as well as moany cunt americans.
I think its pronounced neesh. However, I am Canadian and we always getting lumped in with the Americans for some stupied reason.
I like the way the Canadians say 'igloo' makes me chuckle...
The Americans never got an RP, standard accent..Just a mixed up jumble of languages when all us Euros invaded...Then a bloke called Webster fucking up the dictionary because he wanted to be 'different' and had a slightly different dialect... Bless 'em they've been struggling with Euro words and English spellings, ever since!
We shouldn't be worrying about nitch/neesh we should be more concerned with the the fact that our lovely modal verbs are being replaced with americanisms...Actually who cares... As long as you get the message across right? ;)
Did you know the term 'stiff upper lip' started out in America?
Cardinal_Sin
12-04-06, 10:47 PM
Oh well shit... you could give a geography test to many of the people in the US and they wouldn't even know where certain US states and cities are located.
And anything our president says is a moot point. He's an idiot who puts his foot in his mouth just by opening it.
There are plenty decent Americans otherwise... and if any of you are going to be in Vegas in January, I suggest you have a beer or three with one of em... ME :D
Got a better idea - Be in Warsaw at any time and we'll not share any beers - Just drink our own by the bucketfull
... BTW - Warsaw is slightly east of Manchester.
There actually was irony in the title, and not hate. Americans are stupid in the same way as Brits are moaning cunts. It's a generalisation that you just can't taint everyone with, but is still an accepted flogging stick hehe. There are certainly stupid brits too.. as well as moany cunt americans.
It may be a generalisation, but you can taint all the Brits as moaning cunts
Cardinal_Sin
12-04-06, 10:57 PM
It may be a generalisation, but you can taint all the Brits as moaning cunts
You're a moaning cunt -
Ok - I'll retract the moaning bit.
It may be a generalisation, but you can taint all the Brits as moaning cunts
No you can't.. moaning yes.. cunts no.. cos cunts are useful.. and you definitely can't say all Brits are useful :angel:
No you can't.. moaning yes.. cunts no.. cos cunts are useful.. and you definitely can't say all Brits are useful :angel:
THAT gave me a laugh!
Its weird how different countries choose to anglisise(?) certain words but not others. Americans seem to think herbs should be pronounced 'erbs in a french kinda way, but niche should be anglised to nitch.
Anyone here order a filet of fish in macdonalds and pronounce it fee-lay?
As usual, I blame the french for making something simple confusing.
strictlybroadband
12-05-06, 12:35 PM
Neeshay
strictlybroadband
12-05-06, 12:40 PM
Wow... I know that us Yanks are pretty much hated worldwide with a big thanks to our current admin.
And I'll be the first to admit that my country is FULL of morons... BUT... there are a ton of us here who aren't arrogant, religious, hypocritical dicks LOL.
Just for my own knowledge... seriously... does the anger result from the aforementioned... or more?
I think us Brits have had a problem with you Yanks since you thoughtlessly declared independence. What a nerve!
But Bush hasn't done you any favours.
Oh, and we like moaning about stuff anyway - it just happened to be your turn. :)
This is a funny thread saw the original on *** and though pretty much the same as you guys tupids americans cant speak english but then i was reminded of the canadians every time i talk to a cananadian and they say aboat (about for the english) it cracks me up ! :twocents: :gaylords:
Its weird how different countries choose to anglisise(?) certain words but not others. Americans seem to think herbs should be pronounced 'erbs in a french kinda way, but niche should be anglised to nitch.
Anyone here order a filet of fish in macdonalds and pronounce it fee-lay?
As usual, I blame the french for making something simple confusing.
Well... I say we smoke some erbs and throw down a few fih-lays afterwards. That's my nitch...:)
ciggiez
12-05-06, 05:32 PM
I was wondering - do they think that this board is "beer and bow-locks" in the same way that they talk about butt-ox instead of buttocks?
strictlybroadband
12-05-06, 06:33 PM
This is a funny thread saw the original on *** and though pretty much the same as you guys tupids americans cant speak english but then i was reminded of the canadians every time i talk to a cananadian and they say aboat (about for the english) it cracks me up ! :twocents: :gaylords:
Says the man from Belfast. :)
My boss had a site called "The Niche Bitch" which only sounds right if you say nitch. I started off saying neesh then gave up and called it nitch.
Someone told me that the two pronounciations have two different meanings, like ones a verb and ones a pronoun or something.
wankmaster
12-05-06, 09:10 PM
No, they are both nouns.
No, they are both nouns.
how about niche traffic? or niche content? or as I have heard lately....niche your pictures.
wankmaster
12-05-06, 10:21 PM
Yes you are right.
wankmaster
12-05-06, 10:25 PM
Adjectival use of nouns
-----------------------
English (like some other Germanic languages) is unusual in that it allows nouns to be used adjectivally (i.e., in function they are "adjectives", in structure they are nouns), as in
a Georgia peach
or
his farewell letter.
In other languages, some sort of grammatical functor between the two nouns may be required.
Cardinal_Sin
12-05-06, 10:47 PM
Adjectival use of nouns
-----------------------
English (like some other Germanic languages) is unusual in that it allows nouns to be used adjectivally (i.e., in function they are "adjectives", in structure they are nouns), as in
a Georgia peach
or
his farewell letter.
In other languages, some sort of grammatical functor between the two nouns may be required.
You have been on wikipedia again, haven't you? They need to get upto date...
Niche is a fully fledged adjective, noun and also, can be correctly used as a verb (used with an object)
wankmaster
12-05-06, 10:53 PM
Yes, I got the quote from there.
wankmaster
12-05-06, 11:05 PM
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Niche
If you feel you know better you can amend the entry and see if it gets reverted.
ciggiez
12-05-06, 11:12 PM
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Niche
If you feel you know better you can amend the entry and see if it gets reverted.
One thing I've always wondered about Wikipedia - because everyone has the opportunity to amend an entry, how do they avoid getting spammed to death?
I'm so curious, I'm almost tempted to spam them myselves just to see what happens!
Cardinal_Sin
12-05-06, 11:17 PM
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Niche
If you feel you know better you can amend the entry and see if it gets reverted.
I was niche marketing (subject + verb(s) + Object {In this case, using the -ing form as an object})
Present perfect -
I have been niche marketing for years etc. etc.
It is not a case of amending what they use on that site, it is more a case who and where from the entry was first accepted.
There is probably a British English online OED - You can check the correct entry there -
wankmaster
12-06-06, 03:06 AM
I think you have to pay to access the OED website, otherwise noone would buy the book. Closest free source I found was
http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/niche?view=uk
Compact OED
Yes, anyone can amend the wikipedia or wiktionary, I've made a few minor changes when I spot something wrong. Amazingly the whole system works pretty well. Pages that are repetedly vandalised get locked, but most of it is open and you can change it.
I trust we can put this niche argument to bed now, as I'm sure we've all got much bigger fish to fry. ( At least I'd hope so ).
WordsforHire
12-06-06, 03:34 AM
Why is English related to German?
At school we were told to pick German as it is very easy and very much like English...God how wrong were they, French was a hell of a lot easier and much more similar!
This is a very very funny thread and know I realise English isn't just about words, it's about how you say them...This could probably be the reason I almost failed English in school...That and my writing sucked.
wankmaster
12-06-06, 03:48 AM
Why is English related to German?
I don't know the answer to that one. In fact I found English to be closest related to Spanish, which is a stupidly easy language to learn. Why they don't teach that at school so much I don't know.
Some estimates give Spanish No 2 spot behind Chinese, with Engish running third in the number of native speakers. A site more useful than French and German we had to learn at school.
Oh and I think what makes German so hard is its close relation to Latin. Three genders and four cases to figure out can give you a headache. Also, I don't like the sound of it, and I have never been called upon to use it. So it was a waste of time.
ciggiez
12-06-06, 04:32 AM
I don't know the answer to that one. In fact I found English to be closest related to Spanish, which is a stupidly easy language to learn. Why they don't teach that at school so much I don't know.
Some estimates give Spanish No 2 spot behind Chinese, with Engish running third in the number of native speakers. A site more useful than French and German we had to learn at school.
Oh and I think what makes German so hard is its close relation to Latin. Three genders and four cases to figure out can give you a headache. Also, I don't like the sound of it, and I have never been called upon to use it. So it was a waste of time.
According to the documentary by Melvyn Bragg I saw a few years ago, the English language originated from North West Germany and was brought over to our green and pleasant land by the Saxons (which is why we're Anglo Saxons).
French is taught in our schools because (to my surprise) France is by far our number one trading partner (probably all of the fags and booze people buy on their day trips to Calais).
German is not related to Latin - French, Spanish, Italian and Romanian are.
But I agree, German is fucking hard work.
According to the documentary by Melvyn Bragg I saw a few years ago, the English language originated from North West Germany and was brought over to our green and pleasant land by the Saxons (which is why we're Anglo Saxons).
French is taught in our schools because (to my surprise) France is by far our number one trading partner (probably all of the fags and booze people buy on their day trips to Calais).
German is not related to Latin - French, Spanish, Italian and Romanian are.
But I agree, German is fucking hard work.
They buy fags? Damn, can you keep them as pets?
wankmaster
12-06-06, 04:44 AM
I once saw a bottle of wine in France the lable read "Derrier Les Faggots".
Also drove thru a town, the sign read "Merryarse".
I once saw a bottle of wine in France the lable read "Derrier Les Faggots".
Also drove thru a town, the sign read "Merryarse".
Now that is freeking hilarious.
ciggiez
12-06-06, 04:51 AM
Yes, the British go over to France to buy fags and the French come over to England to buy faggots.
http://www.pendrell.com/images/faggots.jpg
This is why Americans are so stupid -you tell them this and they think we're making it up!
Damn pork faggots.....I gotta post this on an american board....no one will believe it.
wankmaster
12-06-06, 04:57 AM
German is not related to Latin - French, Spanish, Italian and Romanian are.
"The German word Grammatik and English grammar come from the Latin term grammaticus. The names of the German noun cases are the same as Latin: dativus, Dativ, dative (Germanic Wemfall). But beyond that, Latin also influenced German syntax (word order) and verb tenses (Plusquamperfekt, Perfekt and Futur are more than just Latin words).
In addition to common family, housing and scholastic words, another obvious category is the names of the months. The reason that it is so easy to identify the German months is because they all came from Latin, just as the English terms did.
But both German and English borrowed heavily from Latin in other areas as well. Latin makes up a large part of the Wortschatz in these fields: agriculture (fruits, viniculture), construction/housing, the military, administration, trade and the household. Some of the Latin borrowings were from Vulgärlatein (vulgate or "common" Latin), while other Lehnwörter entered German later from "classical" Latin. "
http://german.about.com/library/weekly/aa103000a.htm
Tho it is true, German is not derived from Latin the way the Italic languages are, the congugation of the cases has something in common with it.
Don't talk about the war.....
wankmaster
12-06-06, 05:06 AM
The fag thing may be due to the habit of having a small boy to do stuff for you when you go to a public ( which is really a private ) school, and he is your fag.
The fag thing may be due to the habit of having a small boy to do stuff for you when you go to a public ( which is really a private ) school, and he is your fag.
It actually comes from the faggots that were used to light the fires that burned homosexuals and witches.
The fag thing may be due to the habit of having a small boy to do stuff for you when you go to a public ( which is really a private ) school, and he is your fag.
Now there you go, how can a public school be a private school and how can the pavement be a sidewalk. Or how about suspenders that hold up your pants? Or freeking knickers that tyroleans wear to hike through the alps. But then again, how can a bum be sexually stimulating when he spends all day dumpster diving?
Damn I love this language.
wankmaster
12-06-06, 05:27 AM
English Fanny = vagina American = Ass ( which is really a donkey crossed with a mule or some such ).
Dutch is also funny where Kont = Arse and Kut = Vagina ( I think, tho my Dutch is really rubbish ).
A Durex is an Australina Band Aid.
American tourists travel the world with fanny packs.
wankmaster
12-06-06, 05:39 AM
I think Durex is Australian Sellotape isn't it? ( Scotch Tape ).
I think Durex is Australian Sellotape isn't it? ( Scotch Tape ).
Oops, my bad. it is Scotch tape.
Staying up through the night has its benefits, I've definitely learned something about fags and sellotape!
Staying up through the night has its benefits, I've definitely learned something about fags and sellotape!
its only ten to ten here.
German is very like english word wise. It's amazing how much of it is like an extreme northern accent. The grammar is nothing like english and is what makes it a fucking pain in the neck (I hate it I hate it I HATE IT!).
All German Nouns belong to one of 3 genders (male, female, neuter) and the gender (along with whether the noun is dative/nominative/accusative) dictates how the adjective is used. Which is where it all gets fucking complicated.
But basic "language" without all the grammar.. a lot of the words themselves are close to english. And a lot have a pattern.. Like D becomes T becomes S
Drink - Trink
Daughter - Tochter
and -ly endings become -lich endings
really - wirklich
naturally - naturlich
Don't talk about the war.....
Don't tell him your name, Pike.
wankmaster
12-06-06, 04:31 PM
All German Nouns belong to one of 3 genders (male, female, neuter) and the gender (along with whether the noun is dative/nominative/accusative) dictates how the adjective is used. Which is where it all gets fucking complicated.
There are 4 cases, you missed out the genative. The case also dictates the form of the definate and indefinate articles, so it's worse than just the adjective. Which is why I say it's like Latin, cept Latin has 6 cases.
Word order isn't so hard, just stick all the verbs at the end of the sentence and you'll usually be fine.
Didn't want to start a new thread as i thought this should be included in the stupid americans post http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1205062xmas1.html
Now thats a nice mom !
Also managed to spell today woo ! oh and to strictlybroadband why am i from belfast ????
Didn't want to start a new thread as i thought this should be included in the stupid americans post http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1205062xmas1.html
Now thats a nice mom !
Also managed to spell today woo ! oh and to strictlybroadband why am i from belfast ????
Kid deserved it. Taught him real good.
wankmaster
12-06-06, 05:03 PM
This is pretty funny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp4iI59BfpQ
It amazes me, whilst massacring the Danish language as I do, just how many grammatical and vocabulary similarities there are between the Danish and English languages.
It's evident that we took much of what the Vikings introduced into the language and over the centuries have modified it and mispronounced it to form our own language. An example: "øl" has become "ale", hus - house ... liv - life ... strøm - stream ... hytte - hut and so forth. (note: ø is pronounced oo, and y is pronounced as a u)
Not to mention the amazing amount of latin, french, german and spanish that we've bastardised and claimed as our own over the years. Indian languages too (like bungalow for example).
So, the English language is FAR from English in origin. In fact about the closest we still have to a truly British language would be Welsh :)
This is pretty funny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp4iI59BfpQ
I loved it and this came up next
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q566ys0sqVQ&NR
wankmaster
12-06-06, 05:32 PM
I loved it and this came up next
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q566ys0sqVQ&NR
Even better.
It amazes me, whilst massacring the Danish language as I do, just how many grammatical and vocabulary similarities there are between the Danish and English languages.
It's evident that we took much of what the Vikings introduced into the language and over the centuries have modified it and mispronounced it to form our own language. An example: "øl" has become "ale", hus - house ... liv - life ... strøm - stream ... hytte - hut and so forth. (note: ø is pronounced oo, and y is pronounced as a u)
Not to mention the amazing amount of latin, french, german and spanish that we've bastardised and claimed as our own over the years. Indian languages too (like bungalow for example).
So, the English language is FAR from English in origin. In fact about the closest we still have to a truly British language would be Welsh :)
The Russian language is interesting because in the Cyrilic alphabet every letter is always pronounced the same way. So it is easy to read and pronounce even if you don't understand the word. There are no combinations of letters to create a different sound.
I have always loved GB Shaw's spelling of fish...
“The "Ghoti" imperative suggests a combination of the elegance of coughing, hence taking forth the GH sound of the word cough, the naturally curvaceous shape of women, taking upon the O sound, and the warlike and generally non civilised manner of a nation, thus taking the TI sound from the stated word.”
There are 4 cases, you missed out the genative. The case also dictates the form of the definate and indefinate articles, so it's worse than just the adjective. Which is why I say it's like Latin, cept Latin has 6 cases.
Word order isn't so hard, just stick all the verbs at the end of the sentence and you'll usually be fine.
Yes I know I did. I wasn't giving a definitive answer. I am living with a native german speaker in a native german speaking country and studying german at university, and not using wikipaedia to form my answers ;)
Sticking the verb at the end of the sentence is bullshit. The verb is always the 2nd concept in the sentence. Ich bin, Sie haben.. Am Freitag habe ich.. etc etc. The verb only goes to the end in a compound sentence, of which you will have still had a verb in the 2nd place of the first part of the sentence.
wankmaster
12-06-06, 08:33 PM
It's only what I remember from school.
I'm also aware that "sticking the verb at the end is bullshit", it was just joking.
Sorry if my correction offended you. I'll try to be more careful in future.
;-)
WordsforHire
12-06-06, 08:57 PM
Now there you go, how can a public school be a private school and how can the pavement be a sidewalk. Or how about suspenders that hold up your pants? Or freeking knickers that tyroleans wear to hike through the alps. But then again, how can a bum be sexually stimulating when he spends all day dumpster diving?
Damn I love this language.
Dont want to be walking into shops asking for pants now do we ;)
It's only what I remember from school.
I'm also aware that "sticking the verb at the end is bullshit", it was just joking.
Sorry if my correction offended you. I'll try to be more careful in future.
;-)
No offense taken or meant.. you tried to correct me.. I corrected you. Tit for tat ;)
wankmaster
12-06-06, 09:30 PM
Deal ;-)
Dont want to be walking into shops asking for pants now do we ;)
lol
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