• Gormadt@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    54
    ·
    1 year ago

    Straight up facts right there

    I’ll never forget when I worked in fast food and my coworker from Guatemala asked me, “Can you settle a bet between Jorge and I? You speak English like a second language, what’s your first language?”

    English is my first language.

    Jorge won that bet.

  • MonsiuerPatEBrown@reddthat.com
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    29
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    I have found that reading challenging texts out loud has helped my writing, reading, listening, and speaking.

    People mock me for it. But it develops an active vocabulary faster than anything that I have stumbled upon for myself.

    • datsritebussy@lemmy.wtf
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      1 year ago

      “I have found that reading challenging texts aloud has helped me improve my writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills. Some people may mock me for it, but I’ve discovered that it enhances my active vocabulary more quickly than any other method I’ve tried on my own.”

      I’ve made some revisions so that English speakers can better understand your text.

      • queezywheezy@sh.itjust.works
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        11
        ·
        1 year ago

        Totally unnecessary, and bizarrely patronising.

        If anybody was struggling to understand that comment then they are not an English speaker…

        He’s not looking to be published, he’s just trying to communicate, and doing so very effectively.

  • M137@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    11
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    I’m a swede with fully swedish parents, and I have always lived here, but I’ve always sucked at Swedish, both spelling and vocabulary.

    But I’m way better at English, I often use English words because I can’t remember or simply don’t know the Swedish equivalent, and sometimes I just give up and fully use English for whatever I’m trying to explain. I wouldn’t say I’m great at grammar overall, but I’m above average based on how bad most people are.

  • Mr_Blott@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    10
    ·
    1 year ago

    My brain learning French - 'Yes, this makes perfect sense "

    My brain trying to send French words to my mouth - "Christ on a fuckin bike, why are there so many vowels?!?

    • LazaroFilm@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      1 year ago

      The worst between French and English is “I miss you”. It translates to “tu me manques” which breaks down to “you me miss” and neither makes any sense. Oh and “This makes sense” also doesn’t translates right “ça fait du sense” means nothing in French.

  • Siegfried@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    6
    ·
    1 year ago

    It’s refreshing to know that I’m not alone. My English skills suck ass. I blame it on not having enough chances to actually speak it in public.

  • kubica@kbin.social
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    6
    ·
    1 year ago

    I usually try to misinterpret my sentences as hard as possible before posting.

    It also works for program comments, I don’t know how the fuck some text can seem to be almost perfect one moment and be totally useless garbage next time I find it.

  • southsamurai@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    4
    ·
    1 year ago

    Swap that out for Spanish, and that’s me.

    4 years of it in high school, and the best I can manage is sounding like a drunk 5 year old that curses with what I’m told is a Mexico City accent because the girl I dated from Mexico City taught me the fun words.

    Like, I would have to have a dictionary in front of me to apologize for my bad spanish and be clearly understood. That’s how bad my Spanish is. But in my head? I’m all suave and shit. And in my dreams, I’m bloody fluent. Awake? Not even close

  • whereBeWaldo@lemmy.dbzer0.com
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    1 year ago

    Hello am 48 year man from somalia. Sorry for my bed england. I selled my wife for internet connection for play “conter strik” and i want to become the goodest player like you I play with 400 ping on brazil and i am global elite 2. pls no copy pasterino my story.

    • PeWu@lemmy.ml
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      I watch English movies with English subtitles, my grammar is non-existent, but at least I can try to convey meaning of a sentence to someone.