| Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 |
linguaphiles
[ kerle ]
|
12:16a |
Use and abuse of the apostrophe
Possessive *it'sPlural *city'sThe mind-boggling, nonexistent *its'Conjugation *say'sIs it getting worse, or have I become hypersensitive to this? One thing that I've noticed is that it rarely presents as an error of omission. There is a very strong tendency towards error of addition. I've even seen signs where two plural words are side by side, but one of them (and not the other) inexplicably includes an errant apostrophe to form the plural. I can see how a misunderstanding would lead to the error here and there, but what reasoning drives this misuse to appear in side by side plural words, neither of which requires an apostrophe? Yes, this is venting. But I'm also genuinely curious. It has come to the point that when I come across the spelling it's and there is no error in usage, it gives me pause. I silently thank the writer before I move on. Edit to add asterisk to city's. |
| Monday, November 9th, 2009 |
austincommunity
[ smileforsuzy ]
|
10:44p |
|
linguaphiles
[ cassandrathevil ]
|
9:00p |
Homework help -- sorry!
Hi, everyone. I was just wondering if you could look over these sentences that I had to write for my (high school) Italian class and offer any corrections. I hope this is okay! My teacher gave us a couple of stipulations for each sentence but he let us write whatever we wanted; they're not translations of anything. ( Read more... ) |
linguaphiles
[ muddle ]
|
11:53p |
This is a peculiar question, I know, but it's something I've got a sudden curiosity about. Are there any particularly brilliant phrases or words in your dialect that you think are region specific to the extent that would probably make no sense to no-one outside your own area (language permitting, I mean)? The reason I ask is, my Nanna finally explained to me the meaning of a phrase that I've heard all my life here in Grimsby, England, but that I never questioned: "Eggin' ba o' Doigs" [Egging at the back of Doigs'] Used to evade a question, particularly if you think someone is being nosey. For example: Person A: Where are we going? / Where were you last night? Person B: Eggin' back o' Doigs' I've only ever heard this once or twice, but it can also be used to describe something that is futile: Person A: I tried to get ma lass out o' bed fo' school this mornin', it were like eggin' ba o' Doigs'... Back when my Mum was a kid (early 50s) and most people were hard up in the town, people would steal birds' eggs out of trees ['egging'] (back when this was still legal and not morally questioned). Doigs' was a shipyard in an industrial estate, so obviously bereft of wildlife, and therefore it wasn't possible to go egging at the back of Doigs', because there weren't any trees. It's giving an answer without giving an answer, and essentially a way of saying "mind your own business!". It used to do my head in when I was little because my Mum would say it to me all the time and I'd never heard of egging (outside of the modern term of throwing eggs at buildings as vandalism), or of this shipyard (as far as I know it no longer exists). To make matters worse, she would evade my question about evading the question by evading the question... Me: Where are we going? Mum: Eggin back o Doig's. Me: Where?! Mum: Eggin back o Doig's! Now that I understand it though I think it's ace, and inventive on the part of whoever made it up! I can think of other similar phrases and words in Grimsby's dialect too that would fly over peoples' heads without an explanation like the above, and wondered if other towns, cities, states, whatever, had their own :) I'm aware from having an ex with a very VERY strong Black Country dialect that they have a ton in that dialect. I'm kind of fascinated! |
austincommunity
[ swirley ]
|
6:13p |
Christmas brunch buffet?
My family is coming in for Christmas. Option one is to order a turkey dinner from Luby's and chill at my apartment. My parents really enjoy doing brunch on holidays though, and go to a hotel that does a big buffet shindig. Are there any places that do this in Austin? I'm in the '05 area code so something near here would be good, but I'd be willing to drive 20 mins or so if someone reccomends it. I think the price we usually paid was like $40 per adult? |
austincommunity
[ zombiesatyour6 ]
|
5:30p |
court house weddings
I googled but im confused and retarded. Where in austin do you go to get married at the court house? To get the whole she bang done? Are they open on weekends? If not, is there a close-ish court house within driving distance to go to that's open on weekends? I vaguely know that you're supposed to buy a marriage license and go to a JP (I thought they were the same thing?)...yea, like I said, im retarded. How much does it cost? Im aware there's a waiting period, however the boy is military so we can have that waived. *puts tard helmet on* Spanks. |
austincommunity
[ pumabear ]
|
4:05p |
Crime in Austin
The last post kind of made me think... What is the worst crime in your neighborhood? My lease is up in a few months, and I want to know which neighborhoods are known for which crimes.... Just curious. |
austincommunity
[ fiercecupcake ]
|
2:27p |
|
linguaphiles
[ koe_kto ]
|
9:58p |
Poetry translation theory wanted
Hi, linguaphilians! I'm about to write my course paper on problems of English poetry translation. The practical part of the paper will be a translation of Dylan Thomas's verse into Ukrainian, and comments on it. But I have no idea, what references should I use for the theoretical part of the work. So the questions are: 1. Could you kindly advise some books in English, where the problem of rendering English poetry into various languages is discussed? Poetry translation theory, rendering stylistic devices etc. 2. Could you advise one or two books of critical essays about Thomas's poetry, maybe a stylistic analysis of his poetic devices and language in general? There are hundreds of books, but I'm looking for really useful ones. Thanks! |
austincommunity
[ natpea ]
|
1:54p |
nFusion
I would like to speak to someone who works at nFusion. Anyone work there or know someone who does? Thanks! |
austincommunity
[ dinaofdoom ]
|
1:04p |
|
linguaphiles
[ gryster ]
|
7:49p |
Strange request
I know this sounds like spam, but there is a reason why I'm asking, i promise. How old is an old woman? i.e. if you saw the phrase "old woman" used to describe someone in a story, what age would you assume that person was? I'm trying to comment on a translation of some Norwegian childrens stories, and I think they might have aged the main character, but I need the opinion of native speakers in order to really say anything about it :) Thank you -Gry |
austincommunity
[ querulousennui ]
|
11:46a |
Photography Trade
I'm looking for a photographer who is interested in fashion and maybe has just graduated college with a degree in photography. The gig is this: I've re-entered modeling and I would like to get some more professional photos taken. ( I modeled in my teens in a more competitive environment. I have photos from that time but that was 6+ years ago (yikes!) and I've changed a bit since then.) From taking pictures you will receive my recommendations for anything I am in, so hopefully you will get paid to photograph a show. Basically I'm asking for digital photos in exchange for my contacts and connections. Let me know if you're interested. :) |
linguaphiles
[ chainsofgold ]
|
4:10p |
Grammar clarification: English
Which of these sounds better/is more correct? Choose the category that better fits your document. Choose the category that best fits your document. or total rephrasing? Choose the category that fits your document best. Edited to add: Has ended up being rephrased to: Choose the category that best describes your document. Thank you all for your help! |
linguaphiles
[ saya_bella ]
|
5:44a |
Romany
I went through the tag and memories looking for other posts on the Romany language and none of them had replies. But none the less Im hoping someone could give me a hand. I would like to know if someone knows how to say "forever" or even "always". I understand there are dozens of dialects. I am trying to keep from giving a huge story so to be breif; Im looking for something around the Hungarian/Romanian area. More or less Northern Vlax. Any help is appreciated!! And thank you in advance! |
linguaphiles
[ oryx_and_crake ]
|
1:33a |
A course of English
A friend of mine wants to design a computerized course of English for beginners, and he needs the actual course (text, questions, exercises etc.) that he will put into the software. Do you know anyone who holds a copyright to such a course and would be willing to enter into a strategic partnership to produce and sell the learning software? Or maybe you would like to write such a course yourself. Any other advice and ideas are welcome. |
linguaphiles
[ leopold_paula_b ]
|
6:15a |
German word for "timing"
I know that we use the word "Timing" anyhow (and I'm fine with that), but is there a German word for it as well? I'm thinking of "comic timing" and generally of the timing in a performance, e.g. acrobatic feats, dancing, other sports or in a fight. (In dealing blows "Distanz und Timing" are crucial.) So far I've got: Zeitgefühl; (der richtige) Zeitpunkt / Augenblick / Moment; Zeitwahl; zeitliche Abstimmung / Koordinierung; Zeiteinteilung; Takt; Tempo; Rhythmus; "Kairos". None of them really convinces me. Any ideas? Thanks in advance! |
| Sunday, November 8th, 2009 |
peacecorpsfolks
[ bloria ]
|
11:45p |
application questions
Hi everyone, my name is Gloria. I am finally applying to the Peace Corps! For real this time! I have been a member of this community forever it seems. I was originally intending to join after I graduated from college, but then I joined Americorps instead and served for a year here in my city. That led me to going back to school for my Masters, and I am just now looking ahead to graduation in May and realizing that I am finally ready to apply! I am very excited about this, but also extremely nervous. I am getting my Masters in Social Work right now and I have a lot of experience working with children and families. So I guess my ideal placement would be in Youth Development or something along those lines. I speak Spanish, but I think I would be open to other places if they want to send me somewhere outside Latin America. I am looking at maybe June/July of 2010 for the earliest date I would be available. So yeah, I have started the application and just had a couple minor questions for those of you that have been through the process. For filling out my past work and volunteer experience, how would you list unpaid internships? I have had two year-long internships that were basically like a job except for the fact that I wasn't paid (yay!) So would I list this as employment or volunteer? If I put them under volunteer, along with Americorps, I feel like I'm leaving little room for actual volunteer experience that I have. My other question is basically along the same lines...for my employment reference, could I then use one of my internship supervisors? I have other supervisors from past employment and also my current employer, but I think my internship speaks more to the type of work that I am hoping to do. I'm sure these are not deal-breakers, but I guess I can get carried away with little details like that... thanks for any suggestions! and say hello if you are in the same boat as me right now :) |
| Monday, November 9th, 2009 |
peacecorpsfolks
[ timaldo ]
|
9:17a |
|
| Sunday, November 8th, 2009 |
linguaphiles
[ pgadey ]
|
10:28p |
Hello does anyone know a nice way to type Russian phonetically w. accents on OS X? Thanks. Current Music: Broadcast lighting - the riderless |
linguaphiles
[ theunixgeek ]
|
6:50p |
A Quick Mandarin Sentence
What does this sentence mean? 快调足球赛的台。Is it "Quickly change it to the soccer match channel" or "Quickly change it from the soccer match channel"? I made it up to practice the words 调，足球，and 赛, but I'm not quite sure what it means ;) |
linguaphiles
[ amles80 ]
|
11:38p |
Help me chose a word, please!
EDIT: Thank you all! The dictionary doesn't always (but sometimes!) tell if a word is American or British English but I've got the answer now! :)
Which word is best - cellphone cell phone or mobile phone? Context: X-files fanfiction; Mulder gets a phonecall when he is arguing with Scully: "The sound of Mulder’s [---] put an end to their argument." This is silly, I know...... but as I am writing this thing, I should probably pay attention to the details. I just can't remember right now (as if I haven't watched so much TV in my life!) which alternative is used more. Maybe it doesn't matter at all? |
austincommunity
[ citizen_glock ]
|
12:19p |
3D Photography
Anyone know where I can get some 3D photos taken? Google isn't helping. |
austincommunity
[ ryryforsale ]
|
10:59a |
funfunfun fest day 1 pictures
howdy all, so the nice people @ funfunfun fest let me in with my "professional" camera after all :-) i think what they were really trying to prevent is telephoto lenses, because my dinky little 17-55mm didn't seem threatening to them. i saw others near the stage with similarly-sized lenses, but everyone w/a telephoto had a 'media' wristband. anyway i took some pics and some of them turned out really nice. check them out here. previews behind the cut. check my flickr page later or add me as a contact if you want to see day 2 pics. ( Read more... ) |
austincommunity
[ swissmom ]
|
8:58a |
Lone Star Shindig Dec. 4th-6th
A Weekend at Southdown Abbey Come visit Austin, Texas, December 4th-6th, 2009 as it is transformed into Southdown Abbey on Persephone from the Firefly and Serenity ‘Verse. Join us as we celebrate Shepherd Book’s journey before becoming a crew member on Serenity. We’ll start with an Abbey Fashion Show, showcasing Asian-inspired designs, while offering Sereniteas’ blended teas, as well as homemade hors d’oeuvres. We’ll have a costume picnic on the Abbey grounds and then a dance in the Fellowship Hall with music by The Bedlam Bards and food made primarily from produce grown at the Abbey! We’ll end this shiny shindig with Serenity on the Big Screen at our local Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek. The best part – all proceeds from this event will go to support The Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center of which Ron Glass, our Shepherd Book, is a Board Member. Want to spend a weekend at Southdown Abbey? Tickets are $25, get them now. Space is extremely limited for this event, so don’t miss out! For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.lonestarshindig.com |
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