Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jocampo]

Hi there everyone, I'm just an English teacher from Colombia and I would like to open a discussion forum about countries and its customs all around the world.
Thanx so much for your participation

[asterix]

"Countries and THEIR customs"
Please don't write "thanx" for thanks - it is an abomination.
Did you know the Inuit have 52 different words for snow and all its variations?
That the Native peoples of Canada who represent about 3% of the population have claims to about 93% of the land area of that country?

That I have a 300 pound wild black bear that lives in my back garden and eats the apples off the tree in the fall.
Cultural vignettes from the north country.

[LucentShade]

I agree with you, asterix, on the "abomination" bit. There is already enough of a problem with native English speakers using these abbreviations like tx, u, r, ur, plz, y, bcuz, etc. , but maybe the langauge will be saved if we make sure that the new learners type it well.

[jocampo]

Thank you very much for your comments on my mistaken way to write "thanks". I just tried to look cool. I really appreciate it However, I would like to remind you that this forum is to discuss and learn about different cultures all over the world.
Besides, going back to the "thanx" mistake, I think we all should be open to new things. Every language is alive and it's in constant evolution, and there might be a reason why people all around the world uses "x" or "y" expression. Take a look at slangs, for instance.

[asterix]

I think the primary idea behind this entire web site is to help people to learn English. In that case, even though the particular message board may be entitled "opinions" (or something else) it is legitimate to note incorrect usage. As to your point that the language is evolving; I agree that it is, but thank God it has not yet descended to the depths of embracing such nasty commercial horrors as "thanx".
I mn f w wntd w cld stp sng mst vwls nd sv rslvs lts f tm nd kystrks.

[jocampo]

Yes, my dear Asterix. I agree with you.
Let me ask you a question: What do you think about learning through language? I consider that we can learn English by using it in context, i.e. talking about cultures and customs in other countries.

[arleygarcia]

Hellow Jose, I think that somebody don�t like the way you write Thanx. But don�t worry, i tink so like you; this forum is about cultures around the world.
See you next tuesday teacher.
Arley
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friendship

[Evelynaro]

Hi jose and everybody!!!

I think that this discussion about the way of write "thanks" has been so productive.Thanks everybody.This discussion learned to me and I think learn to other persons that enter to this page the form of speak the english
in differents countries and for differents people,that show us the english is a language that we enrich or degrade(accord with the thought of each person) every days.Thus be calm guys!!!!!! We can look the good part of everything!!!!! Now we'll back to the forum about the cultures and we learn to know other styles of lifes!!!!

to purpose,Is somebody from Japan or China here?? I tell you that i love the oriental culture,specially the culture of Japan and China!!! Can you learn me something about your cultures????

Bye!!
Evelyn!!

[paula andrea]

Hello Jose, about customs and countries the world, i think that Veneci (Italy) is a city really beautiful and lovely,for yours gondolas that its an excellent means of transportation. Wich one for you?

see you tomorrow!

[LucentShade]

To the original poster, I can understand the desire to be cool, especially in the context of this Internet culture. Although I'm not an English teacher, I think that those of us who do know the language should always try to present the best examples possible to the students. It's not that hard to read the slang like "thanx" and understand what it means. However, it is harder to go from the slang spellings and saying to correct, formal English after making it a habit to type in slang online.

[andrew liu]

Hello everyone!
I'm from china,I'm very interesting in your discussing about culture,maybe some of you wanna know a little about China, very happy that I take this opportunity to let you know more about my country.
Chinese culture,generally speaking are based on confusia.that is "Harmony between man and nature" We emphasize man and nature are equal.this is shown in every aspect of our culture,take a look at painting for instance.If you are familiar with chinese painting,you will find almost in every chinese famous painting there are trees or grass and so on ,this is nature,in addition,you can find no complete people in chinese painting.But in western painting there are less nature,and people are complete people,this show man'power over nature.
OK,with my broken english ,I hope you can understand it.
By the way,my favorite western painting is "the last supper"painted by the most famours naissance painter Da Vinci.It is really wonderful.
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I wish I could make friends around all of the global village,remember I love my friends most.