Job Discussion Forums

[The Mad Hatter]

hmm . many issues here. Let's take each question one by one.

First is the vernacular, which is confusing to many. I know what this means, but your reader may not:

"Take a left about 1 or 2 streets along"

one poster claims I have misread it. Which raises interesting cultural issues.

"Does not mean walk past two streets. Pre-intermediate students studying a directions unit would be able to understand this."

My point exactly , Thank you. but WHICH textbook? a UK one or an American one?
As an American speaker, we do not use the ambiguous phrase "about one or two streets along", because saying "along" for directions is unclear. Instead we prefer to use a more exact term " after two blocks" or " at the next corner". or "go past two streets" so there can be no mistaking. (by the way how many was it he meant anyway? one ? two ? )
We in USA think in terms of concrete grids, and clearly defined intersections. I suppose this "along the way" or "along the road" is part of the old country vernacular, where life was much simpler and arguably more pleasant, since it did not really make much difference exactly where a street was. Since the rhythms of life was determined by the day to day interaction with one's neighbors, some of whom lived in the same plot of land or cottage for centuries. Curved streets could go willy nilly and a good logical vernacular for directions was not required. But in the developed world of today this attitude towards addresses and maps can seem frustrating. Try British addresses or a London phonebook and you will see what I mean. This is why I do not at all prefer Cambridge textbooks with their ambiguous UK style street directions compared with American textbooks with clear concrete directions at instructions such as " at the next corner turn left". Or Go past three streets". Just look at google earth at an american city and compare with any european city.

[snollygoster]

Who's on first-What's on second. Question or statement?
British or colonial? I see you say you speak "American". Native, Spanish or Portugese ? (After all, when someone says he/sh is "American" I often wonder if he/she means Brazilian, Argentinian, Canadian, etc-so "American" speaker could be someone who speaks these languages.)
"Along" makes directions unclear? Really? OK lets say "under" the street, "in" the gutter, Is it "on" the corner or "at" the corner? "On the week-end, or "at" the weekend.
In, on, under, in front of, behind, beside, between and next to the guiollitine. Above, below, across from and through (or is that thru or threw).
The mad hatter in Alice was definately British-I dont think he spoke "American" of any type.
A beaver is an animal, not a body part. Yes there are many differences between "American" and "English". A butt is the end of a cigarette, and I wouldn't want to sit on it, even if it was a "hot" touche.
Saigon Square or Russian market? Color or colour? Lorry or truck?
Enough of the free lessons ! What? and not even a lesson plan?
Happy New Year (European or Asian?) By the way-notice Biaom's salary? I guess he MUST be telling lies-there are a few of us who seem to do that.
PM me for a job when you raise your expectations.

[deadlift]

Nope, you can post whatever demented dribble you want without any sanction, no matter how factually incorrect it may be.

However if you make the fatal mistake of mentioning, alluding to or acknowledging the existence of KOREA, well that's hanging offence.

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

Biaom is no longer with us. This is what happens to rude and insulting members at Dave's. They quickly become ex-members. Please continue submitting Report Posts and PMs to the Mod Team advising of inappropriate postings.

[The Mad Hatter]

Points taken. To acknowledge, now I do understand that the direction Snolly was giving were to Saigon square, often known as Russian market in the past on Le Duan. But if you head down towards Pham ngu lao on the same street you run into masking tape, and power tools market sector and that is what I thought you were describing. In there, which is just past calumette, they sell camo gear and military surplus stuff. You need duct tape and rope ? Old war junk ? cots ? flashlights? Go there.
But as I said when you say "one or two streets along" it is a typical UK usage which I do not think is specific. Correct me if Im wrong but I bet most Americans are confused by this one. We never grow up hearing this in the meaning of when to turn off. We use it when you tell someone to keep going and follow the road straight. The only time it is used in usa is when you say somewhere along side the road, meaning its next to it lengthwise. It does not refer to a point to stop at. It is a point that runs with the road in the same direction. Not a detour or exact turnoff or intersection.
Some times students ask me what it means, and I point to the piece of wood or moulding that runs along the wall around the room and I say see? it means somewhere on that line . It has a linear sense. So I think it reflects a British landscape and way roads tend to curve and follow older patterns. If it is more curving and winding you could say along the road because you have to follow whatever turns it takes to get there. In USA you say stop exactly here and turn left. Go to the next corner and turn left. The other words Lorry and at the weekend are no problem, But saying cheers for thanks does not really have the same meaning at all does it? Why do you keep talking about lesson plan? How does that fit in the discussion? What does that refer to?[/b]

[snollygoster]

Now that IS confusing.
But you make a few good points:
"most Americans are confused "/
"We never grow up"
"It does not to a point to stop at." No verb in this "sentence"-meaning is unclear.
I think you do Americans an injustice.
Anyway, cheers for that.

[Andy123]

Now I know that Darwin was wrong. The Peter Principle is in full effect.

[Oh My God]

[The Mad Hatter]

Yes my point entirely . Thank you for your interest in this. Thank you for totally misquoting me, for leaving out the subject agent of the passive sentence "Confused by" >..........
and for omitting the predicate part with the oblique verb after "grow up">.....
Being able to deconstruct sentences is a useful skill but I am just afraid readers may get the wrong idea. Do you know what I mean?
I only say this because you pointed out my erroneous omission of the verb "refer to" which I have edited in to my post as per your suggestion . But I am confused by how on the one hand you are holding me to a higher standard of including all verbs I leave out while you ignore this same standard and leave out important things from my sentences- whole phrases, Subjects agents and complements, all just omitted. Are you trying to teach me I should write like this? The real question I have is Is your mountain hilltop tribesman coat that you bought from Russian market holding up in this chilly weather? Do you get a lot of compliments on it? Do you recommend we wear them?

[snollygoster]

"Do you know what I mean?"
NO- do you?
"It does not refer to a point to stop at." Getting better, but its a sin to end a sentence with a preposition, English teacher.

Maybe Dr Peter was a bit too subtle or polite in his conclusion. Exceptions will always happen I guess.

[Andy123]

Might I suggest a dietary supplement of flatworms. It is scientifically proven that biochemical memory transfer exists. They are also an indigenous species to Viet Nam and available at your local Chinese herbal pharmacy.


http://www.dur.ac.uk/robert.kentridge/bpp2mem1.html

[The Mad Hatter]

what became of the ethnic tribal mountain shirt ? Are you wearing it around a lot ?

Why is there all this talk of a fully effect peter principle?

Flatworms as a dietary supplement are used for allergies and stomach ailments- Not as a grammar supplement. In addition to Cutting Edge , Streamline or Headway or Inside Out. Nice try though.

[snollygoster]

Time to hand out some awards?

"Named in honor of Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, the Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it."

Google it.

[Beautiful Loser]

Is it over?

Where's Biaom?

Did anyone buy any flatworms?

Do they have them at the Russian Market?

Where is the Russian Market?

How many Russian Markets are there in HCMC?

Is there a Fahasa nearby?

Do they have a copy of "The Peter Principal"?

Are we handing out Darwin Awards?

Whatever became of that mountain shirt?

What's a lesson plan?

and finally:

Can't we all just g-g-get along?

[snollygoster]

Is it over? is what over? over where?-Remember prepositions are suspect

Where's Biaom? Enjoying his exorbitant salary that he obviously dreamed up.

Did anyone buy any flatworms? Not me- I don't need them.

Do they have them at the Russian Market?

Not sure, but they DO have mountain tribe shirts.

Where is the Russian Market? That is the big question.

How many Russian Markets are there in HCMC? Obviously more than one.

Is there a Fahasa nearby? Depends which Russian market you mean.The one I mean, the answer is YES.

Do they have a copy of "The Peter Principal"? I didnt ask

Are we handing out Darwin Awards? Not me. You only get one when you're dead.

Whatever became of that mountain shirt? Worn to an official function and hanging up waiting for the next one.

What's a lesson plan? Good question.

and finally:

Can't we all just g-g-get along? I can. I get "along" the street well, or should that be some other preposition? Do you mean "get along" with other people? How can you "get along" with other people? Can you "get alongSIDE" other people. Maybe Hop-along Cassidy knows the answer. All too confusing to me.[/i]