Dr. John Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Yes, it seems like half of the people here don't get me at all so I thought that I am the one who is really not making sense. It's best if I get some suggestions on this issue and this is specifically for internet forums (such as this). I know that due to my age I can't really put some things into my brain but I will try my best to be able to enjoy discusions with you people if I can be more understandable. I would also like to learn how to reduce typos while writing posts. It seems the ninja edits are removed in this new forum update. This sounds like a really childish problem but it annoys me when people don't understand me. Also, I really wanted to make a topic as this post could get lost in the question topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polish_Trucker Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I don't understand.. DeafMetal, Empty World and Harley 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinterEdit Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 (edited) All I can suggest is that you should read perfectly or almost-perfectly written English more and do English exercises... For example, the kind found in your English textbook. Or you could do them online somewhere if you can find a proper site for that. I have above average English for a non-native English speaker (both written and spoken - not trying to brag...) but it's only due to the fact I learned my first English words only a few months after I learned my native language. Sooo yeah. Edited January 25, 2014 by WinterEdit 018361 and Dr. John 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
018361 Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Hmm, Well, You can try reading. I have just rediscovered the lost joy of reading literally within these last three hours and I have to say that i'm already feeling more intelligent ( and sane ) mind you. I forgot how books seem to stimulate the brain much more than movies and television ever will ( keeping in mind that they usually don't). Use books, plus, a dictionary or GOOGLE to search up definitions for words you don't know and soon you'll be a full-fledged English professor ( Not really ), but you will likely improve significantly. Oh, if only there were a place I could go to that was filled to the brim with books and had an old hag-troll keeping the quietness and peace. Too bad none of those exist... Dr. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. John Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 I don't understand.. Nobody evers. @WinterEdit & 018361: Thank your for your replies. It seems both of you suggest reading books. But I really don't find anything interetsing to read which has more mature use of language. 018361 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vercetti42 Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 (edited) You have to start your way from the bottom if you really want to develop a fine sense of vocabulary. I've been reading for a long time now and I can't remember the time I had started too. I am 13 now and I now understand more "mature" words and I know how to use them. I also love writing. I'd say writing is in my blood because it's my passion but it has definitely been helped by reading and reading and reading books. I also read some of the stories posted here which are great and also improve my English skills. I do hope to become an author someday. Hope this helps. Edited January 25, 2014 by AceKingston 018361 and Dr. John 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinterEdit Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 (edited) I don't understand.. Nobody evers. @WinterEdit & 018361: Thank your for your replies. It seems both of you suggest reading books. But I really don't find anything interetsing to read which has more mature use of language. Well... it doesn't necessarily need to be a mature book to have mature language. Take the English version of Harry Potter for example. It's pretty good for learning English, especially if you have your own language version too. It's good book for English because the author is British, making it have more 'complex' words in it, even though being a book for younger audiences (first books are more for children, later ones for more for older ones such as teens). And if you struggle with understanding a certain word - you can use a dictionary, or if you have the book in your language next to you, then that. I have both the first and the last HP's in English, and even though I haven't finished either of them, they've given me some new words... for example, 'tantrum'... useful word, I know. If it's boring - that's understandable. Then all you could technically do is either do exercises in English or watch movies that speak your language, but with English subtitles. Subtitles, be it people talking in English and subtitles in your language or vice versa, are never the best option, because the translator could misunderstand the script itself and there's never as good translation as in books, because of character limits and such. Edited January 25, 2014 by WinterEdit Vercetti42, 018361 and Dr. John 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osho Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Read with fluency and understanding. You need to understand that most people with wonderful vocab and grip on the language tend to be good at it because they acquired English as their first language. Simple English is more than enough to make your point. That's what I do. Also, two factors impact on how you speak (or understood): education and usage. How often you speak in English other than native one? Do you take an interest in learning (such as by reading books) and working on the grammar? (Not talking urban dict. or internet slangs as usage) Answer the above. That's all there's to it. Dr. John and 018361 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. John Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 -How often you speak in English other than native one? -Do you take an interest in learning (such as by reading books) and working on the grammar? (Not talking urban dict. or internet slangs as usage) -Many times. I keep speaking to myself in English. When I am out with people, I tend to speak in my native language. -I do like reading books but only the interesting ones. Unfortuantely, those books are very few or repeatitive. As for my grammar, I always try to seek out new meanings to different words used by some people here. I use acronyms; if that counts as Internet slang. @AceKingston: Thanks for your advice. Perhaps I should also start writing some stories. @WinterEdit: I have read five parts of the Harry Potter Series and they are very good. Though I don't think it has made any impact on my vocabulary. I am also watching some English shows without subtitles these days. By the way, is American English better or British English? I know British English is more mature but American English is very easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinterEdit Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 By the way, is American English better or British English? I know British English is more mature but American English is very easy. American English is used more often than British English, so I would suggest you focus on it. I assume you'll do just fine even in Britain with American English too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osho Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 You can check this site: http://english.stackexchange.com/ Sign up for the newsletter, take time to observe the activities on the forum and if it impresses you, sign up. Dr. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algonquin Assassin Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 By the way, is American English better or British English? I know British English is more mature but American English is very easy. American English is used more often than British English, so I would suggest you focus on it. I assume you'll do just fine even in Britain with American English too. Ah. Good old English, English. In Aus we've bastardised it to suit ourselves. Dr. John, 018361 and WinterEdit 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abel. Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 (edited) Yes, it seems like half of the people here don't get me at all so I thought that I am the one who is really not making sense. It's best if I get some suggestions on this issue and this is specifically for internet forums (such as this). I know that due to my age I can't really put some things into my brain but I will try my best to be able to enjoy discusions with you people if I can be more understandable. I would also like to learn how to reduce typos while writing posts. It seems the ninja edits are removed in this new forum update. This sounds like a really childish problem but it annoys me when people don't understand me. Also, I really wanted to make a topic as this post could get lost in the question topic. I'd say that the best method by which to improve one's vocabulary is to read more actively. There are plenty of excellent books out there which suit your purpose. If you want to make yourself better understood, then you'll probably want to improve your English grammar through more dedicated study, of course this probably isn't easy in your case given that there are probably few English grammar books written in your native language. Anyway, try to get hold of books written in standard English and read them in your spare time. Should you come across a word which is unknown to you, simply look it up in a dictionary--this was a very helpful exercise during my study of German back in high school. Understandably, reading a book which isn't in your mother tongue can be extremely daunting, so I'd recommend graphic novels at first to build your confidence up. In any case, I'm glad that you want to make an effort to improve your English, John. Oh, and I don't think your English is that bad, actually--I think you just get lost with some of the idiom and are a little lacking in the vocabulary department, but otherwise your English seems fine to me. Edited January 25, 2014 by elanman Dr. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. John Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 Thanks elanman. Just for your information though I don't speak or read my native language much in my daily life. I usually like to speak, read and write in English. When I am around with my friends or family members, I talk with them in Hindi, my native language. So I don't need reference books translated in my native language; I can understand the English one's well enough. I have also started to read some light novels. Maybe they can be a good start-off. 018361 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theadmiral Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 One suggestion, after reading many of your posts, would be to stop using silly catchphrases that no native English speaker uses - Especially when they do not apply to the situation you are using them in. Other than that your English seems pretty good to me. Dr. John 1 I AM SORRY ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE VIDEO, BUT MY WEBCAM IS ABSOLUTELY RUBBISH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raavi Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I think it is commendable you can even write/type English this well. I mean, indian is a whole different language, with different writing, different syntax, different everything. Hats off my man. Dr. John and 018361 2 – overeducated wonk who fetishises compromise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vercetti42 Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 John, the Harry Potter series are an excellent resource to improve your English. They are also quite entertaining. I read them over and over again and I still find new words/sentences which I may have overlooked before. Too bad once I started reading over and over again, I started to notice some plotholes. I think it is commendable you can even write/type English this well. I mean, indian is a whole different language, with different writing, different syntax, different everything. Hats off my man. Well India is very unique in terms of culture compared to other countries. Basically nearly every state has different language, clothing, weather etc. It's like 20 countries in one. But yes you are right. I am not trying to brag or anything but I find English much easier to speak/write than my mother tongue but that is probably because I was born in an English speaking household, quite rare for my country. Dr. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Arthur Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 @WinterEdit & 018361: Thank your for your replies. It seems both of you suggest reading books. But I really don't find anything interetsing to read which has more mature use of language. Maybe you could read this book. I hear it has very mature language. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Dr. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theadmiral Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Indians are pretty unique. Nearly every Indian I know speaks three languages fluently and that is rather impressive. I have enough trouble keeping up with two. Dr. John and Captain Arthur 2 I AM SORRY ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE VIDEO, BUT MY WEBCAM IS ABSOLUTELY RUBBISH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTA_stu Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 For a doctor, I can actually understand your writing pretty well. RIGHT. RIGHT???? You're young and you're a dirty foreigner, your English is fine all things considered. 018361, Dr. John, na89340qv0n34b09q340 and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. John Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 (edited) One suggestion, after reading many of your posts, would be to stop using silly catchphrases that no native English speaker uses - Especially when they do not apply to the situation you are using them in. Other than that your English seems pretty good to me. You are still mad about what happened today? I apologize. Anyways, thanks for your feedback on my English. I think it is commendable you can even write/type English this well. I mean, indian is a whole different language, with different writing, different syntax, different everything. Hats off my man. Heh, that's not true. We were once captivated by the British. It helped us know their language too. Sure there are a few backward districts with no literacy in our country but hey, we are still developing. It's still a good proof that we Indians have improved from past few decades. For those people who say my English is good, I just want to improve my English further for some good discussions with you guys. I get some people saying that I post sensless many time. If I could just phrase my sentence more or use different new words, then I can make some impact on these regular forum discussions. EDIT: @GTA_stu: You will still be surprised when I show you my handwriting though. @Gta_V_Fan_101: Why do you do this with me?! Edited January 25, 2014 by Dr. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Arthur Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Indians are pretty unique. Nearly every Indian I know speaks three languages fluently and that is rather impressive. I have enough trouble keeping up with two. When I was young, I was in a school with mixed races (Arabs, Filipinos, French, Indians). Out of all of the students, the Indians got the most marks. I tip my hat to 'em. They're really intelligent. Dr. John and 018361 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algonquin Assassin Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I mean you could come to my house for a day and I'll give you a quick English lesson. Just mind my Serbian dialect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Arthur Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I mean you could come to my house for a day and I'll give you a quick English lesson. Just mind my Serbian dialect. ZOMG! You really ARE Niko! I was doubting it but now I know that you ARE him! But, wait a minute, how could Niko live in Aussieland? That's impossible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. John Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 I mean you could come to my house for a day and I'll give you a quick English lesson. Just mind my Serbian dialect. I really don't think learning Australian English will make my English good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theadmiral Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I really don't think learning Australian English will make my English good. Better that than learning from Americans. Your best bet is to get someone from England to teach you, though. Australians as a second choice, Americans as a last resort. I AM SORRY ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE VIDEO, BUT MY WEBCAM IS ABSOLUTELY RUBBISH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algonquin Assassin Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I mean you could come to my house for a day and I'll give you a quick English lesson. Just mind my Serbian dialect. I really don't think learning Australian English will make my English good. I'm not impressed John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raavi Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I mean you could come to my house for a day and I'll give you a quick English lesson. Just mind my Serbian dialect. I really don't think learning Australian English will make my English good. Algonquin Assassin, theadmiral, Dr. John and 1 other 4 – overeducated wonk who fetishises compromise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. John Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 I mean you could come to my house for a day and I'll give you a quick English lesson. Just mind my Serbian dialect. I really don't think learning Australian English will make my English good. I'm not impressed John. Don't worry, you can teach me your Serbian whenever you want! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Arthur Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I really don't think learning Australian English will make my English good. Hey, I've got an idea! Let Raavi teach you. He'll lock your mouth whenever you try to speak. He's a good teacher, I promise. 018361 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now