Thread View: alt.usage.english
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Started by Sylvain TIRREAU
Wed, 03 Dec 1997 00:00
European don't understand american sentence (help)
Author: Sylvain TIRREAU
Date: Wed, 03 Dec 1997 00:00
Date: Wed, 03 Dec 1997 00:00
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About this sentence : "first-generation immigrants are still close to their diverse origins, while most long-established Americans are wholly assimilated." Why don't they write : "first-generation immigrants are still closed to their diverse origins, while most long-established Americans are wholly assimilated." ? Thanks a lot for mail back ( sylvain_1@msn.com )
Re: European don't understand american sentence (help)
Author: Alan Pollock
Date: Wed, 03 Dec 1997 00:00
Date: Wed, 03 Dec 1997 00:00
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Sylvain TIRREAU (user@msn.com) wrote: :About this sentence : :"first-generation immigrants are still close to their diverse origins, while :most long-established Americans are wholly assimilated." : :Why don't they write : "first-generation immigrants are still closed to :their diverse origins, while most long-established Americans are wholly :assimilated." ? : :Thanks a lot for mail back ( sylvain_1@msn.com ) : : : Because 'close' is used in the sense of 'pret', and closed means 'ferm�'. Nex __________________________________________________________________________ "Ah, if in this world there were no such thing as cherry blossoms, perhaps then in springtime our hearts would be at peace." Ariwara no Narihira __________________________________________________________________________
Re: European don't understand american sentence (help)
Author: Cornel Ball
Date: Wed, 03 Dec 1997 00:00
Date: Wed, 03 Dec 1997 00:00
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In article <881173270.249842@wagasa.cts.com>, nexus@king.cts.com (Alan Pollock) wrote: > Sylvain TIRREAU (user@msn.com) wrote: > :About this sentence : > :"first-generation immigrants are still close to their diverse origins, while > :most long-established Americans are wholly assimilated." > : > :Why don't they write : "first-generation immigrants are still closed to > :their diverse origins, while most long-established Americans are wholly > :assimilated." ? > : > :Thanks a lot for mail back ( sylvain_1@msn.com ) > : > : > : > > Because 'close' is used in the sense of 'pret', and closed means 'ferm�'. Nex > And while we're at it, "European DOESN'T understand american sentence". does not = doesn't do not = don't Cornel
Re: European don't understand american sentence (help)
Author: Charles A. Lee
Date: Thu, 04 Dec 1997 00:00
Date: Thu, 04 Dec 1997 00:00
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Dear Sylvain, On Wed, 3 Dec 1997 17:19:58 +0100, you wrote: >About this sentence : >"first-generation immigrants are still close to their diverse origins, while >most long-established Americans are wholly assimilated." > >Why don't they write : "first-generation immigrants are still closed to >their diverse origins, while most long-established Americans are wholly >assimilated." ? "Close" is a homograph - a word with different meanings which are spelled the same. Close, a verb, (with the s pronounced like the z in zebra): "to shut" Close, an adjective (with the s pronounced like the s in snake): "near" In your sentence, the immigrants are near (in time and cultural adjustment) to their origins, having not yet lost their accents, practices, and so on. One would not change an adjective to a past tense - that happens with a verb. Charles A. Lee http://www.concentric.net/~azcal ================================ = "Nobody goes there anymore; = = it's too crowded. = = - Yogi Berra = ================================
Re: European don't understand american sentence (help)
Author: Alan Pollock
Date: Thu, 04 Dec 1997 00:00
Date: Thu, 04 Dec 1997 00:00
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Peter Hullah (Peter.Hullah@eurocontrol.fr) wrote: :Cornel Ball wrote: :> :> In article <881173270.249842@wagasa.cts.com>, nexus@king.cts.com (Alan :> Pollock) wrote: :> > Sylvain TIRREAU (user@msn.com) wrote: :> > :Why don't they write : "first-generation immigrants are still closed to :> > :their diverse origins, while most long-established Americans are wholly :> > :assimilated." ? :> > Because 'close' is used in the sense of 'pret', and closed means 'ferm�'. Nex :> And while we're at it, "European DOESN'T understand american sentence". : :And while we're at it, Nex, 'pr�s' means 'close'. :'Pr�t' means 'ready' (adjective) or 'loan' (noun). :But as this is a.u.e. not a.u.f. (which doesn't exist) you don't :lose any marks. : I've always had that problem. While I speak French almost perfectly, I've always managed to get 17 or 18 mistakes in each paragraph. In fact, some have commented in the past that my spelling of French (which I try to avoid at all costs) seems purpousely mis-spelt. I usually reply with a mysterious sort of half-nod, leaving it to the speaker to decide if I'm acknowledging his remark, or confirming it. Nex __________________________________________________________________________ "Ah, if in this world there were no such thing as cherry blossoms, perhaps then in springtime our hearts would be at peace." Ariwara no Narihira __________________________________________________________________________
Re: European don't understand american sentence (help)
Author: Peter Hullah
Date: Thu, 04 Dec 1997 00:00
Date: Thu, 04 Dec 1997 00:00
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Cornel Ball wrote:
>
> In article <881173270.249842@wagasa.cts.com>, nexus@king.cts.com (Alan
> Pollock) wrote:
> > Sylvain TIRREAU (user@msn.com) wrote:
> > :Why don't they write : "first-generation immigrants are still closed to
> > :their diverse origins, while most long-established Americans are wholly
> > :assimilated." ?
> > Because 'close' is used in the sense of 'pret', and closed means 'ferm�'. Nex
> And while we're at it, "European DOESN'T understand american sentence".
And while we're at it, Nex, 'pr�s' means 'close'.
'Pr�t' means 'ready' (adjective) or 'loan' (noun).
But as this is a.u.e. not a.u.f. (which doesn't exist) you don't
lose any marks.
Pete
--
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