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Quick English language tip for international SWeeps!

In "standard" English, questions are often formed using the word "do" in a way that doesn't seem to come naturally to English learners.

Here are some examples:

Non-standard: Why people like ice cream?
Standard: Why do people like ice cream?

Non-standard: Why you play so many video games?
Standard: [b]Why do you play so many video games?
[/b]
Non-standard: What "copacetic" means?
Standard: What does "copacetic" mean?

I am posting this because the non-standard variations are very common on SW and they always aggravate me; and I know I am not the only person who feels aggravated.

If you are not going to post in your own beautiful languages, but in English, the more standard your English, the less aggravating it will be to sensitive people like me 😂

You're welcome 🤓

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KiwiBird · 36-40, F

To the non-English speaking Sweeps.....

Some of you speak and write better English than some of the native speakers...
Some don't but you try.

Please DO your utmost to aggravate and upset the sensitive folk like the OP.

Thank you

Thinkerbell · 41-45, F

@KiwiBird

Please DO do your utmost... 🤭

OogieBoogie · F

@KiwiBird yeah...what you said 🤙

sarabee1995 · 26-30, FVIP

Wow. You should have my job!! I interact with many non-native English speakers, mainly from Eastern Europe. I very often get Slavic syntax with English words.

Communication is a complex topic, as you well know. Language is the tool we use to communicate, but effective communication takes effort from both the speaker and the listener.

Thinkerbell · 41-45, F

@sarabee1995

At least English grammar is much easier than Slavic language grammar...

sarabee1995 · 26-30, FVIP

@Thinkerbell Lol, I'm not sure the rest of the linguistic world would agree with you! 🤣

slowmarch · M

I agree with what you say. I have just finished reading the seventh book of Cormac McCarthy. When I was at schoolteachers always reminded pupils to not forget to use the 66 99 quotation marks. Cormac McCarthy does not use them at all, which kind of throws correct grammar out of the window. I also noted in the book "Forever" by Judy Blume that her conversations are mainly covered by the use of ellipses... other than having to go to new conversations. Matters little anyhow it is just an early morning gripe, but I do wonder if an editor would accept a book for publishing without the dialogue being void of quotation marks. Cormac McCarthy found one that did.

SW-User

@slowmarch I tend to assume that renowned authors know what they are doing and have some literary reason for these choices -- but I agree with you! A colleague of mine published a book on an important social and political topic that does not use capital letters. so every sentence starts without a capital, like this. this was so disorienting to me that I couldn't keep reading it. why he did this or why editors let him, I don't know!

KiwiBird · 36-40, F

Got to love the English language. Be careful however.....don't get Catawampus in your Coddiwomple.

ninalanyon · 61-69, T

Without the word DO those phrases aren't even complete ideas.

Why people like ice cream

Is an introduction to to a statement explaining why people like ice cream, it could be a chapter heading or the title of a scientific paper.

bijouxbroussard · F

On the other hand, is anyone honestly confused about what they’re asking ? I definitely understand what you’re saying, but outside of English class, I’m usually willing to give folks a break if I get the basic idea of their posts.

SW-User

@bijouxbroussard You have a good attitude ☺️

At the same time, I would think that people who are writing in English probably want to write regular English and not have an "accent" if they can help it.

sarabee1995 · 26-30, FVIP

@SW-User Do you have an "accent" in your written or spoken French? Hebrew? German?

SW-User

@sarabee1995 Definitely! And I appreciate any assistance I get to diminish it.

Jacko1971 · 51-55, M

What does copacetic mean?

Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

@Jacko1971 Fine. Acceptable. In good order

Jacko1971 · 51-55, M

@Picklebobble2 it's not a word I've ever used and I'm not convinced I ever will.

OogieBoogie · F

Qmmmpf😏
As an ASD person I can tell you "fat chance" of that .

Also....in two days this post is going to get lost in the history of the feed.
I'm not sure you thought this through 😆

SW-User

@OogieBoogie You never know, it may pop up again! But I have not figured out a way to set up an English language tutoring booth on SW. Any suggestions? :D

OogieBoogie · F

@SW-User I dunno, help people when you see the opportunity? 🤷

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