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Junkomama
Joined: 17 Oct 2005
Posts: 592
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 Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:26 pm Post subject: not perfectly? |
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Hello, teachers.
"His English is pretty good but not perfect."
"He doesn't speak English perfectly."
Do the two sentences have a similar meaning?
Thank you in advance!
Junkomama |
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Anuradha Chepur
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 933
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| Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:57 pm Post subject: |
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Well, almost.
The first one overtly says his English is good enough, but the second one only hints, I suppose. |
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Junkomama
Joined: 17 Oct 2005
Posts: 592
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| Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:24 am Post subject: |
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Thank you so much for your quick response, Anuradha-san!!
Regards,
Junkomama |
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Anuradha Chepur
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 933
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| Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 3:10 am Post subject: |
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On second thoughts, I think prosody determines the meaning.
If 'perfectly' is said with a falling-rising tone, then it implies his English is good but not perfect.
Otherwise it doesn't. |
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Junkomama
Joined: 17 Oct 2005
Posts: 592
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| Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:00 pm Post subject: |
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Hello, Anuradha-san.
Thank you so much for your new comment!
Regards,
Junkomama |
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