Look at the first of the big black dots in the introduction. Not to worry :) I can't remember seeing any eye-catching (LOL) errors on your pages, and I have read a few.
Talking of commas, IMHO the golden rule is surprisingly similar: Don't worry about where to put them – they're often optional (like the one before "and" above).
Rule 2 might be: use commas to separate pieces of "extra information" - I'll quote from Decatur Trio by Aaron Johnson (currently on the front page) – from the "core sentence", which is e.g.:
"Once directly west of your vehicle, [To me, omitting this comma wouldn't be a big crime] descend or take a side trip to Brittle Silver Mountain."
The outcome is:
Once directly west of your vehicle, which may be visible below, descend or take a side trip to Brittle Silver Mountain, a little exclamation point to end your day".
Rule 3: commas between adjectives forming a little chain:
"It is a beautiful, scenic walk along Colorado's continental divide."
As to your last question, I was born with a scientific mind. Without a shade of doubt, I'd be into science/philosophy if I hadn't had to live behind the Iron Curtain when I was in my twenties.
>Thank you for lifting some of that comma taboo for me(that's really what it was becoming!).<
You're welcome.
>Are you an English teacher or what?<
I was, for twenty years - last year still taught general English at a technical university. But I don't like state-run schools, nor clinics.
>Ha! You maybe meant: in front of the Iron Curtain.<
Exactly. :)
>I lived in Berlin (W at first, then united) for 10 years, and remember the raising of the curtain times (falling of the wall).<
I guess you didn't feel like jumping over that wall.
>We are somewhat complicated animals, aren't we? We people I mean....It's a thick book, an insight of modern China, and not once will you find the word "We" in it.<
I see you enjoyed reading the book although you're a bit different from the author. :) Talking of books about mountain folk, there's a splendid Carpathian trilogy written by S. Vincenz, whose ancestors were French (so there may be a French version as well), and who got to the other side of the curtain just as it was about to be drawn.
>tell me if I'm OK with: the path Is On the right, and I Go To the right (along the path).<
I'm sure "there's a path on the right" is right, probably both are OK but I'm not a purist. I guess musicians and extreme climbers just can't afford a mistake :) Anyway, you can "Turn right".
I must admit I don't get such sophisticated grades at all as I never did anything harder than IV+. But one doesn't have to read your profile page to make sure you’re an awfully good climber, your pages and pix will suffice.
As to the coordinates, yep, I associate English with both sea and trouble, and I was looking for a sea in which one can get easily lost but somewhere between Spain and Eastern Europe since it's Europeans from that part of the continent who – understandably - have more difficulty using English than the others.
Where can I find those statistics by Pit Schubert you mentioned?
Not yet Borut - rather an old, say, 19th century school speculation; or actually like your Like :)
Funnily enough, it looks like I can understand part of what's on the page about the book by Pit Schubert although it's not in English at all. LOL
Hvala
Jacek
(just by random..) an English teacher Yatsek ? :)
Just a little remark, you could transform this page as a "fact sheet" object type, which would seem more appropriate, and because custom objects tend to group draft works of all sorts, and it would be a pity that this would be flown into the mass ! Same for the Carpathian Dictionary !
You are welcome. I am glad you find this page helpful. I've read several of your pages and I don't think you should worry about your English too much.
Cheers,
Jacek
P.S. Here's a little something for you.:)
Wrong: winter's ascent, wind's action. Rule: Use the 's after a name, so as to say whose something is, e.g. "Silvia's crampons" or "Alberto's axe". English nouns often function as adjectives. A few correct phrases: winter ascent, wind action, mountain chain.
visentin - Jul 2, 2009 6:17 am - Voted 1/10
what aboutthe semantics section about mountain huts/refuges/shelters/cabans ? :)
yatsek - Jul 2, 2009 6:27 am - Hasn't voted
Re: what aboutProbably:
HERE
yatsek - Jul 2, 2009 12:13 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: What a useful page!Thanks! I'm glad you noticed both facts. Hope those lost at this southeastern non-English (English?) sea read your comment. :)
yatsek - Jul 2, 2009 2:42 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: What a useful page!Look at the first of the big black dots in the introduction. Not to worry :) I can't remember seeing any eye-catching (LOL) errors on your pages, and I have read a few.
Talking of commas, IMHO the golden rule is surprisingly similar: Don't worry about where to put them – they're often optional (like the one before "and" above).
Rule 2 might be: use commas to separate pieces of "extra information" - I'll quote from Decatur Trio by Aaron Johnson (currently on the front page) – from the "core sentence", which is e.g.:
"Once directly west of your vehicle, [To me, omitting this comma wouldn't be a big crime] descend or take a side trip to Brittle Silver Mountain."
The outcome is:
Once directly west of your vehicle, which may be visible below, descend or take a side trip to Brittle Silver Mountain, a little exclamation point to end your day".
Rule 3: commas between adjectives forming a little chain:
"It is a beautiful, scenic walk along Colorado's continental divide."
As to your last question, I was born with a scientific mind. Without a shade of doubt, I'd be into science/philosophy if I hadn't had to live behind the Iron Curtain when I was in my twenties.
yatsek - Jul 3, 2009 10:45 am - Hasn't voted
Re: No 12>Thank you for lifting some of that comma taboo for me(that's really what it was becoming!).<
You're welcome.
>Are you an English teacher or what?<
I was, for twenty years - last year still taught general English at a technical university. But I don't like state-run schools, nor clinics.
>Ha! You maybe meant: in front of the Iron Curtain.<
Exactly. :)
>I lived in Berlin (W at first, then united) for 10 years, and remember the raising of the curtain times (falling of the wall).<
I guess you didn't feel like jumping over that wall.
>We are somewhat complicated animals, aren't we? We people I mean....It's a thick book, an insight of modern China, and not once will you find the word "We" in it.<
I see you enjoyed reading the book although you're a bit different from the author. :) Talking of books about mountain folk, there's a splendid Carpathian trilogy written by S. Vincenz, whose ancestors were French (so there may be a French version as well), and who got to the other side of the curtain just as it was about to be drawn.
>tell me if I'm OK with: the path Is On the right, and I Go To the right (along the path).<
I'm sure "there's a path on the right" is right, probably both are OK but I'm not a purist. I guess musicians and extreme climbers just can't afford a mistake :) Anyway, you can "Turn right".
yatsek - Jul 3, 2009 1:50 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: No 12I must admit I don't get such sophisticated grades at all as I never did anything harder than IV+. But one doesn't have to read your profile page to make sure you’re an awfully good climber, your pages and pix will suffice.
As to the coordinates, yep, I associate English with both sea and trouble, and I was looking for a sea in which one can get easily lost but somewhere between Spain and Eastern Europe since it's Europeans from that part of the continent who – understandably - have more difficulty using English than the others.
Where can I find those statistics by Pit Schubert you mentioned?
yatsek - Jul 3, 2009 3:19 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: No 12Not yet Borut - rather an old, say, 19th century school speculation; or actually like your Like :)
Funnily enough, it looks like I can understand part of what's on the page about the book by Pit Schubert although it's not in English at all. LOL
Hvala
Jacek
yatsek - Jul 3, 2009 4:17 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: No 12You're always welcome if you have any questions about this funny language, or about my beloved Carpathians. :)
yatsek - Aug 18, 2009 2:18 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: No 12Thanks. But it would be easier for me to read it in Slovenian.:)
visentin - Jan 31, 2010 4:21 pm - Voted 1/10
Are you(just by random..) an English teacher Yatsek ? :)
Just a little remark, you could transform this page as a "fact sheet" object type, which would seem more appropriate, and because custom objects tend to group draft works of all sorts, and it would be a pity that this would be flown into the mass ! Same for the Carpathian Dictionary !
yatsek - Feb 1, 2010 5:52 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Are youThanks for your advice, I'll think about it a little later. As for your question, read the comments on this vintage stuff. :)
visentin - Feb 1, 2010 7:13 am - Voted 1/10
Re: Are youI got half of the answer... let me guess.. history/geography teacher ? or english teacher ?
yatsek - Feb 1, 2010 8:14 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Are youThen just dropped the middle and took up the last although at that time my English was worse than Frenglish.:)
Silvia Mazzani - Jan 8, 2013 12:38 pm - Voted 10/10
Thanks......for this helpful page. My English really needs to be brushed up.
cheers
Silvia
yatsek - Jan 9, 2013 4:45 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Thanks...You are welcome. I am glad you find this page helpful. I've read several of your pages and I don't think you should worry about your English too much.
Cheers,
Jacek
P.S. Here's a little something for you.:)
Wrong: winter's ascent, wind's action. Rule: Use the 's after a name, so as to say whose something is, e.g. "Silvia's crampons" or "Alberto's axe". English nouns often function as adjectives. A few correct phrases: winter ascent, wind action, mountain chain.