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Posted by: walpurgik Jul 12 2007, 04:57 PM

I kept thinking these days that most of us consider English as a second language, a privileged linguistic area from which we take words/phrases and "jargonize" our Romanian sometimes pushing it up to extremes. I also believe it to be nourishment to our minds as a lot of info provided by media comes to us through this means, the music we psychedelically apprehend and feel is mostly filtered through this language, our job which demands it more and more imperatively nowadays. It's a river of words which we fish sometimes to appease our hunger of expression, of more meaningful communication, caringly making use, but also carelessly making abuse of.
I thought we might create a virtual space here where we could share opinions, exercise our minds in other languages than our own, enhance our skills in writing and speaking-in-writing through colloquialisms. If this be taken enthusiastically, I suggest we have session of conversation in other languages as well (Francais, Deutsch, Italiano, Espagnol, so on and so forth), perhaps it suits us well to get to improve language skills with pleasure and along with friends than alone trying to decipher the mystery of grammar stuff or so.
We may talk about certain issues or let the flow of language follow its way, it's up to you.
As a topic starter I thought of demanding you about what you think of the following affirmation; feel free to state your point of view, discuss, argue, whatever.
Here it is: It's a challenge!

The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he's always doing both.
-James A. Michener, attributed

Posted by: Maàt Jul 12 2007, 05:01 PM

Mai bine am face exercitii de scris/vorbit corect romaneste, ca pina si la noi sint unii oameni care au probleme mari.

Scuze, Walpu, nu m-am putut abtine, dar ai nostri au inceput sa vorbeasca mai mult romengleza de balta. Si cind vad atitia "as fii" , "trebuie sa fi", dezacoarde care ieste, toate combinate cu englezisme la kilogram, ma ia cu rau de la lingurica...

Posted by: walpurgik Jul 12 2007, 05:24 PM

Inteleg ce spui. Pai ma gandeam ca poate prinde la cei interesati cu adevarat. Tocana de nelogica gramaticala pe care o regurgiteaza unii pe aici e nelipsita si vine fie din neglijenta, nestiinta, cine stie.
Eu personal m-as aventura pe un topic din asta si pe franceza si italiana pentru ca tin sa invat sa comunic eficient in aceste limbi.
Deschidem si pe romana unul , dar cred ca este deja ceva "cum se zice: asa1 sau asa2?"

Posted by: Maàt Jul 12 2007, 05:33 PM

Da, insa nu e cine stie ce vizitat. In orice caz, nu de cei care ar avea cu adevarat nevoie.

Posted by: vesperala Jul 13 2007, 08:45 AM

what a splendid quote... but to me it seems to be the one and only possible definition of a genius, not only of someone who truly discovered bliss... Those words can describe also an unhappy man...so , maybe the art of living is also the art of "feel"... not only happiness deserve our attention.

Posted by: angeldust Jul 13 2007, 09:41 AM

Well wouldn't that be great... to find someone that will pay you for what you enjoy doing, so that work and play would be the same thing. Unfortunately it's quite impossible most of the time. It usually works the other way around... you have to learn to enjoy whatever it is that you're doing, and that is rather fucking hard than easy

Posted by: sylvia_31 Jul 13 2007, 06:13 PM

For me, the "tragedy" is not getting enough money for my work (thanks God that I have other sources, also). I love my work, I'm addicted to it. Pleasure is a lot more important than money.

Posted by: divi2007 Jul 13 2007, 06:28 PM

i think going at work sad and not happy in time will affect not even your health but even your relations with other people and why i said that it s because i try it on my skin so my advice is to do what you like and what you feel

Posted by: walpurgik Jul 13 2007, 10:20 PM

Perhaps that's the whole point, cause the art of doing something, whatever its nature be- the art of living here, is not innate, but it's a whole process of learning how to's. The moment you've learned or acquired the strength and experience necessary to live (master it) at ease with yourself and whatever is that you're doing, then you may realize that there is no place for frustrations, for self-pity. Once attained that goal, utopically optimistic and perfectionist, you pursue your interests, you make life, and not let it overtake you. There's no struggle for what the others may think, it's only the complex will of following what is best in your power of action. Therefore, pursuing the "vision of excellence" is not of neglect, because that may be the key to fully accomplish desires (ours, theirs) and imperatives-never seeing them in such way.

Thank you girls for sharing thoughts.
Next (feel free to add some things to discuss of you own):

It seems to me that the best relationships, the ones that last, are frequently the ones rooted in friendship. You know, one day you look at the person and you see something more than the night before, like a switch has been flicked somewhere, and the person who was just a friend is suddenly the only person you can ever imagine yourself with."
-, The X-Files (the character Dana Katherine Scully)

Posted by: angeldust Jul 14 2007, 01:52 PM

Oh...X-Files indeed
Well ... to a point I'd have to agree with Miss Scully. It's well known the fact that relationships that are started with a strong friendship foundation are more likely to last than those based only on passion. But other times a friend is just that...a friend...and it's best he stays that way.

Posted by: walpurgik Aug 11 2007, 03:06 AM

ain't got sleep, of course!
What can u say about that?

"Researchers tell us love is not really blind. Everybody—even the nicest
people—has a touch of crass when it comes to choosing a long-term partner. It's no different than in
the business world where everybody asks, "WIIFM?" What's in it for me?[...]
If you want to make someone fall in love with you, researchers say, you must initially convince them
they're getting a good deal. We may not be conscious of it but, science tells us, tried and true market
principles apply to love relationships. Lovers unconsciously calculate the other person's comparable
worth, the cost-benefit ratio of the relationship, the hidden costs, the maintenance fee, and the
assumed depreciation. Then they ask themselves, "Is this the best offer I can get?" Everybody has
a big scorecard locked away in their heart. And, in order to make people fall in love with you, you
have to make them feel they're getting a very good deal."

There's more:
According to a study:
"Huntresses, these are the moves that make a man come over and talk to you at a party.
HOW WOMEN SUCCESSFULLY MAKE THE FIRST MOVE
Smile at him broadly 511
Throw him a short, darting glance 253
Dance alone to the music 253
Look straight at him and flip your hair 139
Keep a fixed gaze on him 117
Look at him, toss your head, then look back 102
"Accidentally" brush up against him 96
Nod your head at him 66
Point to a chair and invite him to sit 62
Tilt your head and touch your exposed neck 58
Lick your lips during eye contact 48
Primp while keeping eye contact with him 46
Parade close to him with exaggerated hip movement 41
Parade close to him with exaggerated hip movement 41
Ask for his help with something 34
Tap something to get his attention 8
Pat his buttocks (My note: not advised!) 8"

to be continued...:
from the next episode: LEARN "RAW SEX" FROM MEN'S FLICKS, What Type of Looks Do Men Like?, "I Love the Way You Wrinkle Your Nose When You Laugh", Ego Massage Is a Highly Skilled Craft and more so stay tuned

Posted by: walpurgik Sep 12 2007, 01:28 AM

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Bonnie replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, and then began...)"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental...

You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them criticize.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write and then I make them write.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the United States of America .

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.) "Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant. Do you want to know what I make?

I make a difference. What do you make?"


%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%




The School Answering Machine
This is hilarious -- no wonder some people were offended! Apparently this is the message that the school staff voted unanimously to record on their school telephone answering machine.

According to the story, this is the actual answering machine message for the school. This came about because they implemented a policy requiring students and parents to be responsible for their children's absences and missing homework. The school and teachers are being sued by parents who want their children's failing grades changed to passing grades -- even though those children were absent 15-30 times during the semester and did not complete enough schoolwork to pass their classes.

The outgoing message:

"Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting to the right staff member, please listen to all the options before making a selection:
* To lie about why your child is absent - Press 1
* To make excuses for why your child did not do his work - Press 2
* To complain about what we do - Press 3
* To swear at staff members - Press 4
* To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several flyers mailed to you - Press 5
* If you want us to raise your child - Press 6
* If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone - Press 7
* To request another teacher, for the third time this year - Press 8
* To complain about bus transportation - Press 9
* To complain about school lunches - Press 0
* If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable and responsible for his/her own behavior, class work, homework and that it's not the teachers' fault for your child's lack of effort: Hang up and have a nice day!

Posted by: kalua Sep 12 2007, 06:30 PM

Found something interesting today:
Johnny-Come-Lately
A British expression from the early 1800s is "Johnny Newcome," applied to a sailor newly assigned to a naval ship. Johhny-come-lately is an apparent Americanized version that also appeared in the 19th century. Charles F. Briggs' 1839 novel The Adventures of Harry Franco is thought to be the first appearance: "'But it's Johhny Comelately, ain't it, you?' said a young mizzen topman."

The above is from The Mindless Crap - Origins website. "Come lately" was standard English, or possibly an Irish variant of it, about 100-200 years ago and means "arrived recently".

Posted by: walpurgik Sep 30 2007, 05:27 AM

Mi-o trebuit sa ma joc cu astia de-a 7-a, eu cu my goofy humour si cand le-am prezentat manualul Snapshot, am glumit cu o pronuntie mai basarabeanca gen sniepşuot. M-am gandit ca-i inofensiv, insa dupa 2 saptamani, ieri, cand am intrat la clasa, se aude din spate, uite-o sniepşuot.
Aceste minunate glumite pe care m-apuca geniul ascuns sa le-nfaptuiesc se pot rasfrange asupra mea foarte usor, asa ca trebuie sa-mi controlez instinctul.
Oricum, un prunc se duce dupa el sa faca buretele si la mine e cu voce tare, yes, go fuck the burete, altadata la o rumegatoare din banca a 2-a i-am zis go scuipa za guma, altii care-s adesea crocodili, le-am zis ca-i fac ciubote. imi pierd din statut.

Posted by: sweet_girl Sep 30 2007, 02:30 PM

Walpu You rule!

Posted by: dr_wise Nov 17 2007, 07:20 PM

Gagici, help me, pleaseeeee!
M-a auzit un american spunand "dupa fapta si rasplata" si zise ca "sounds terrific", fir-ar sa fie de treaba! Acu trebe sa-i explicitez curiosului what I am really saying!!! Care-mi da o mana de ajutor, stie expresia idiomatica in engl si vrea sa ma scoata din....?!!!

Posted by: sweet_girl Nov 17 2007, 07:30 PM

Cred ca era ceva de genul as the work, so the pay....

Posted by: dr_wise Nov 17 2007, 07:43 PM

Multumesc! Da' mai astept niste pareri....

Posted by: FluturasCuReactie Nov 17 2007, 07:54 PM

asta este. unii americani, aia mai batrani, folosesc si "tit for tat".o alta traducere (aproximativa) ar fi "come to someone's autumn".

Posted by: dr_wise Nov 17 2007, 08:52 PM

Multumesc! Cine mai doreste, cine mai pofteste?

Posted by: sweet_girl Nov 17 2007, 09:21 PM

Inscriu si aici one good turn deserves another `ul meu. Poate serveste si altcuiva.

Posted by: FluturasCuReactie Nov 18 2007, 12:22 AM

da, sweet, si asta merge.doftoreaso, ai de unde alege

Posted by: walpurgik Nov 21 2007, 06:41 PM

Pentru cei interesati, un site cu numeroase resurse de limba engleza, cursuri, carti si altele, aveti http://www.englishtips.org . Nu uitati sa selectati in limba engleza, steagul englez din dreapta, ca altfel site-ul e in rusa. Materialele pe care le-am gasit aici sunt exceptionale, mai ales ca unele nu se gasesc de cumparat in tara si, daca ar fi, ar costa o gramada de bani.

Posted by: walpurgik Nov 22 2007, 07:25 PM

A Teacher's Prayer

I want to teach my students how--
To live this life on earth,
To face its struggles and its strife
And to improve their worth.

Not just the lesson in a book,
Or how the rivers flow,
But to choose the proper path,
Wherever they may go.

To understand eternal truth,
And know right from wrong,
And gather all the beauty of
A flower and a song,

For if I help the world to grow
In wisdom and grace,
Then I feel that I have won
And I have filled my place.

And so I ask your guidance, God
That I may do my part,
For character and confidence
And happiness of heart.

In memoriam, frau professor Lacramioara Vancu, memebra a catedrei de limba si literatura engleza a Liceului teoretic "Nikolaus Lenau", Timisoara, stinsa din viata astazi, 22 noiembrie 2007, la aproape 60 de ani, neavand pe nimeni ca familie decat pe elevii scolii noastre. May you rest in peace!

Posted by: kalua Nov 22 2007, 07:38 PM

M-ai impresionat pana la lacrimi cu gestul tau, walpu.

Posted by: walpurgik Nov 22 2007, 07:43 PM

Trist, kalua, sfasietor de trist.

Posted by: walpurgik Nov 22 2007, 08:13 PM

Un gand de noiembrie tarziu, parca prea mult depreciat de rutina, pangarit de frig: sa ne apreciem pe noi insene si sa venim voiase in intampinarea muncii noastre, nimeni n-o sa ne faca viata mai placuta, numai gandul intim si detasat al starii de bine.
Si o povestioara pe care o spun adesea elevilor mei.
Perspectives
A consultant was sent to check on worker satisfaction at a construction site where a cathedral was being built. She walked up to one worker and asked what he was doing and if he was satisfied with his work. He snapped, "Satisfied? I'm cutting blocks out of boulders with these simple, primitive tools. I'm sweating in the hot sun doing boring, backbreaking work. I'm miserable!"

The consultant went to another worker and asked him what he was doing and if he found satisfaction in his work. He said, "I'm shaping these blocks into forms and arranging them in the architect's design. It's slow and sometimes boring, but I make a living for my family. Things could be worse."

The consultant, slightly encouraged, then went inside the structure, where an old woman was sweeping the floor, cleaning up after the construction crew. When asked what she was doing, the woman replied, "Can't you see? I'm building a magnificent cathedral!"

Posted by: angeldust Feb 17 2008, 09:59 PM

Girls...v-as fi extrem de recunoscatoare daca ma ajutati cu o chestie.
Am nevoie de ceva curs de engleza gen "invata engleza fara profesor", care sa fi super ok, sa aiba eventual si ceva CD-uri nu doar o carte plicticoasa. Imi trebuie pt taica-miu. El are ceva notiuni de baza, dar e totusi mega-incepator si acu i-a venit lui chef sa invete. Aveti idee de pe unde pot procura asa ceva? Ce am gasit pe net pana acu mi se par cam abureli sincera sa fiu.

Posted by: lxn Feb 18 2008, 12:20 PM

Angel, eu am o carte care se numeste exact cum ai spus tu insa trebuie sa aiba vointa... Eu am meditat-o pe mama un pic si incepuse sa prinda insa s-a lasat apoi de sportul asta si n-am facut nici o treaba...

Posted by: Meg Feb 18 2008, 03:00 PM

Mama, Angelika, ce om! imi place despre el pentru ca in primul rand, vrea!
vezi pe la librarii, cu siguranta vei gasi ceva. sau intreab-o pe walpu.. in caz ca nu a vazut deja topicul

Posted by: angeldust Feb 18 2008, 03:05 PM

Da..ma gandeam si eu sa dau o raita prin librarii. Walpu nuj pe unde e, ca nu o prea mai vede omu pe mess Oi suna-o eu sa o intreb.

Posted by: kalua Feb 18 2008, 05:56 PM

anjelu', daca omul chiar singur vrea sa invete, ma gandesc ca o carte nu ajunge, cat o fi de buna. Ca de unde pronuntie (pasiva si activa)? Nu stiu ce este pe piata romaneasca, dar exista CD-uri de stai cu castile pe urechi si vorbesti de unul singur (trebuie si microfon). O fosta colega de-a mea a invatat italiana asa si se descurca binisor.

Posted by: albinuza Feb 18 2008, 06:16 PM

io am un cd acasa, cu un dictionar, care atunci cand iti gaseste cuvantul il si pronunta!
e super misto!
da nu as putea sa-ti spun de unde e exact pentru ca l-am furat de unde munceam inainte

Posted by: walpurgik Feb 18 2008, 06:59 PM

Sigurul curs pe care pot sa-l recomand de pe piata romaneasca pentru self-learning este cel de la reader's digest-English in 20 minutes a day datorita complexitatii materialelor de suport, graficii, calitatii informatiilor. Insa pretul este pe masura, sunt 2 parti ale acestui curs, fiecare costand 300 ron. Depinde cat e de aplecat interesul tatalui tau. Si al meu are entuziasm, insa cursul tot la mine a ajuns, si asta e unul din multele pe care le-a cumparat.
In rest o mai fi pe piata carti interesante, insa ce altceva am mai vazut nu se apropie de acest curs.

Posted by: angeldust Feb 18 2008, 08:25 PM

Merci de informatii

Posted by: roxanica10 Feb 18 2008, 11:27 PM

I-a luat sora-mea maica-mii de Craciun o carte in care deasupra propozitiei e scris si cum se citeste (scris in romaneste). Mi s-a parut f buna pentru incepatori. Iti spun maine titlul ei.

Posted by: dr_wise Feb 19 2008, 08:00 AM

Eu am un curs de lb engleza f bun, in 2 volume, dar e cumparat la inceputul anilor '90. Ajung la office si-ti scriu de cine e editat.
Mamaaaaa, reader's digest au si cursuri de lb italiana?! Ia sa cautam pe net!

Posted by: dr_wise Feb 19 2008, 11:33 AM

Cartea mea se numeste "spoken English" - Manual de conversatie in limba engleza"
Autori: Dan Dutescu, Sanda Iliescu, Liliana Mares
Editura: Miron
Editia a IV-a revazuta
Bucuresti, 1991
2 volume

Posted by: angeldust Feb 19 2008, 09:59 PM

10x girls

Posted by: Meg Feb 20 2008, 11:17 PM

Walpu, am si eu o rugaminte la tine.
pentru ca m-a pocnit (si neaparat trebuie sa ma ocup de asta, fie acum, fie din toamna) sa am ceva la mana in ceea ce priveste limbile, te intreb.. (pe tine cade pacatul:p): ce e mai bine de facut/avut? cambridge sau toefl?

Posted by: sweet_girl Feb 20 2008, 11:21 PM

Meg, Cambridge! In plus, cred ca diploma Toefl este valabila doar 2 ani, spre deosebire de Cambridge care are valabilitate nelimitata!

Posted by: Meg Feb 20 2008, 11:37 PM

uhm.. m-ar interesa pentru anglia, inscriere pe acolo la un colegiu.
de la o tipa care a plecat in america la un colegiu am inteles ca avea camb, dar a pus-o sa dea toefl, ca ala ii trebiua de fapt.

Posted by: walpurgik Feb 20 2008, 11:54 PM

Daca e pt Anglia, Cambridge e ok.
Daca pretentiile nu-s foarte ridicate, ca non-native poti opta intre astea cu un minimum de note sau calificative dupa cum urmeaza, insa fiecare university stabileste stacheta ei:
IELTS: Grade 6.5
TOEFL: 230-computer based, 570 paper based
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English: Grade C
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: Grade C
Succes!

Posted by: Meg Feb 21 2008, 12:11 AM

walpu, merci, dar m-ai pierdut pe drum.
ce sunt astea, nivele? am inteles ca ar fi niste nivele la camb de exemplu.
toefl e un singur nivel? sau ai si acolo beginner (treapta 1 ?), medium, advanced?
si la camb, trebuiesc cumparate toate cartile? as fi facut in liceu, dar profa ne-a spus ca e ff scump si sa mai asteptam. si acum imi pare rau.. o fi fost vreo avere, parca..

Posted by: walpurgik Feb 21 2008, 12:21 AM

Meguta, depinde ce-ti cere universitatea respectiva, dar generic poti da examene pentru diferite nivele, cel putin la Cambridge. Cursurile sunt destul de scumpe, eu iti pot oferi ceva materiale pentru lucru individual, insa, de obicei, trebuie sa mergi la cursuri la Brititsh Council, unde te inscrii si iti mai ofera si ei materiale necesare. Cambridge-ul are diferite parti, oralul de obicei il dai cu profi de la univ. iar lucrarile se corecteaza in Anglia. Grade A ar fi cea mai buna nota de la nivelul pentru care optezi. Cat despre TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) si IELTS (International English Language Testing System. It measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication.) nu iti pot spune prea multe intrucat majoritatea opteaza pt Cambridge insa pe site-urile aferente afli informatii suplimentare. Si aici insa iti pot oferi materiale pe suport electronic.

Posted by: angeldust Feb 21 2008, 09:40 AM

Megule, eu am dat Cambridge First Certificate in clasa a XI-a. Dupa ce l-am dat mi-a parut rau ca nu am dat Advanced, pentru ca la FCE am obtinut A+ la toate probele f usor. Pe atunci stiam muuult mai multa engleza decat acum. Eu te sfatuiesc sa faci pregatire cu vreo profa ok care a mai pregatit oameni pentru asa ceva. Eu asa am facut si nu am cumparat nici o carte, avea profa toate materialele necesare.

Posted by: cristina_h Jul 8 2008, 10:33 PM

[color="#8B0000"][/color] Dear "walpurgik", I like your idea of speaking English, the roumanians' favourite second language, even though I must accept the topic you've chosen is quite difficult, and needs proper consideration. First of all (before I forget) let me congratulate you for the wonderful vocabulary you seem to have and master, (if only we could all express ourselves so academically). Now to your topic, let me think. Maybe it is good , on the one side, to be as passionate for the dull things in life ,like work, as you are for other more pleasurable activities, but human nature is weak ,and I think we're prone to see the bad side of life much faster. We are always complaining about things, and most often we even like doing it, we expect compassion, understanding. If, for ex, after a hard day at work we go home and say " it was such a wonderful day today", we practically have nothing much to add, the conversation stops there. We, I think , are more passionate about things we don't like than about things we like. So yes I think we, the normal people do make clear distinctions between our activities, and even like to underline how we are capable of joggling them all in a hard day's work. If such a "master in the art of living " really exists, it could be good for him/her but the society , I think, would consider that person either crazy,or eccentric, or a genius, depending on society and luck. As always, time and place is essential to how a person thinks, and how the rest react to his thinking. There is much more I could say on the topic, but I'll first wait for some reply. Until then live your life like "a master inthe art of living"

Posted by: walpurgik Jul 9 2008, 01:04 AM

Welcome, cristina! Hope you enjoy your stay.
Congrats right back at you as your command of English is excellent and your ideas just as fine, so feel free to express yourself here.
There's not quite an answer to expect for your assertions, cause any opinion is as justifying as it is your own, and yours has a great truth within which I completely agree with.
Of course, history has witnessed plenty of wise, witty individuals to play with the language of life, and lots of other persons to pursue their words as so meaningful to what reality represents.
Life is sometimes too blunt and it strikes you back with cheapest experiences, hardship, chaotic nerves etched on your skin. Though the majority of events are dull, though time at work, which seizes the day, is mostly headaching, happiness, beauty and whatsoever other values, they are all in the viewer's sight.
We are designed to act our way though reality, and our capacity of handling the everyday and the tomorrows one step away is what defines us best. Playing, still, just as much as acting, is one of the most pleasurable activities man can take advantage of, because it lies within, and all you need to do is sharpen it. It's a pity, though, that most people stumble too much in the biology that lies within words and situations, and cease to invest their language with the zest of life, with healing words, playing their way through life in an enjoyable manner.

Posted by: walpurgik Jul 9 2008, 01:36 AM

What do you think about this?

'Comparison, a great teacher told me, is the cardinal sin of modern life. It traps us in a game we can't win. Once we define ourselves in terms of others we lose the freedom to shape our own lives.' Jim Collins, Author 'Built to Last'

Posted by: cristina_h Jul 9 2008, 08:06 AM

I like your idea of living life to the fullest, it would be great if we could transform all the dull and trivial aspects of life into passion and excitement. But I think for me it would be quite a milestone. I'm so used to react mechanically to all that surrounds me, for fear of making a mistake, of being censured or simply laughed at that acting naturally would be almost " unnatural" .
But I'm still young, ready to try new things, and your little quotation has given me something to think about. Why not be natural, and different and live life as you want not as society wants you to. Well nobody said that living is easy but I also think that nothing is impossible for the human mind. So I'll let you know if my little experiment with life is a success (which I'm sure it will

Posted by: cristina_h Jul 9 2008, 11:30 AM

I don't know, I keep thinking about society and the fact that man is a so called social animal. If we do live all together, so close, just a few metres one from another isn't it natural to learn or to copy what the others do, whether good or bad actions. If we are to look at very young children we see that every action is copied from their parents, only later they learn to act for themselves, and even then there are remnants of certain unspoken rules of how to behave, how to speak, what decisions to take. To my mind it's practically impossible not to imitate others, especially the ones that we admire, and in the same time it could be a good thing to follow a good example. Now does this mean that we lose something from our individuality, from our substance, from our soul? I guess the question arises , would we be anything without those people who surround us? Those children raised by wolves, adopted their way of life, and I think that as long as we live among people it is impossible not to copy others, and if we were to isolate ourselves from our fellow men we would lose exactly what makes us human.
A more recent problem is the influence that T.V and the internet has on people, especially children and adolescents, the fact that they learn and feel more attracted to the violent side of man. But this is a topic I would not like to tackle by myself

Posted by: kalua Feb 7 2009, 12:33 PM

Neologisme americane:

Photobombing - an update on the classic bunny ears, photomombing is when a stranger jumps into the background of a shot, becoming a conspicuous part of it.

Flexitarian - the name for the 30-40 percent of Americans who seek out all-vegetarian meals but occasionally opt to eat meet.

Upcycling - it's the latest waste-reduction tactic of taking something that is disposable and transforming it into something of greater use and value - newspapers made into bracelets, old T-shirts made into bags.

Never Greens - about 10 percent of American consumers don't care about the environment, and they certainly don't buy sustainable or green products. Now they have a name.

Posted by: sylvia_31 Mar 12 2009, 11:14 AM

Please help !
Cum e corect tradus "sa hoinaresc in Paris" ?
roaming Paris or
roaming in Paris
sau poate aveti alte sugestii.

Thank you very much !

Posted by: Master of Norules Mar 12 2009, 11:21 AM

Nus sigur stroll in Paris.
Walpu te lamureste cel mai bine.

Posted by: sweet_girl Mar 12 2009, 11:28 AM

Cred ca roam through Paris. Sau wander through Paris. Mie imi place mai mult cum suna 'wander'.

Posted by: kary_pink Mar 12 2009, 11:37 AM

strolling in Paris

Posted by: Master of Norules Mar 12 2009, 11:37 AM

Wander suna cel mai bine.

Posted by: sweet_girl Mar 12 2009, 11:41 AM

Si stroll e bun dar cred ca se refera mai mult la a te plimba in voie, agale...nu neaparat hoinari.

Posted by: Lilisor Mar 12 2009, 12:29 PM

Am si eu o problema! Fac "pregatire" cu 2 prietene si cu al meu la engleza si scopul meu principal e sa punem la punct gramatica, sa mai invete ceva vocabular si sa vad ce fac cu pronuntia atat de frantuzeasca mai ales a colegelor . Rugamintea mea e sa-mi recomande cineva carti mai acceptabile sau texte pentru ca se pare ca o carte pe care eu o consider piece of cake al meu nu intelege absolut nimic din ea...
Sar'mana in avans

Posted by: sylvia_31 Mar 12 2009, 02:36 PM

Multam de pareri, fetele !
Hai sa va zic toata propozitia, sau, ma rog, raspunsul la intrebare .
Suna cam siropos : Roaming through Paris with the one I love.
Stroll nu-mi place cum suna, wandering mi se pare ca are o tenta de neserios, roaming are un sound tehnic, of, tare greu de satisfacut mai sunt

Posted by: bulina Mar 12 2009, 02:47 PM

Wandering este cel mai utilizat.
Wandering Paris with my loved one as alege eu

Posted by: sylvia_31 Mar 12 2009, 04:35 PM

Saru' mana

Posted by: sweet_girl Mar 12 2009, 11:31 PM

Sau in loc de my loved one, poti sa spui my beloved, este si substativ (beloved).
Wander nu suna neserios, poate doar jucaus.

Lili, clasicul Vince nu e bun?

Cautam o reteta pe net si ia uitati ce am gasit, cred ca este tradusa din engleza de o persoana foarte inspirata:
Aceste cartofi sunt atât de rapid, uşor şi delicios! Aceasta reteta este o mare confort produse alimentare, astfel cum este, dar dacă vrei să te experimentul ar putea de asemenea să încercaţi să adăugaţi usturoiul, ceapa sau brânză.
1. Combină toate ingredientele intr-un mediu cratiţă.
2. Cook, neacoperit, de-a lungul mediu-scăzut de căldură.....etc.

Posted by: Fanny Mar 13 2009, 08:53 AM

Nu mai lua in calcul texte din romane, pentru ca poate dificila traducerea din cauza frazelor ample si pline de metafore. O exprimare mai simplista, fara imbarligaturi, gasesti in stiri. Texte mai scurte gasesti pe site-urile televiziunilor de stiri romanesti (Realitatea Tv si Antena 3), iar cuvintele sunt uzuale, ca asta-i regula in tv.
Daca vrei sa-l chinuiesti putin da-i, din cand in cand, la tradus si-o reteta din cartea de bucate.

Posted by: Lilisor Mar 13 2009, 05:52 PM

Carticica e de fapt "A miscellany of humorous prose" si sunt povestiri scurte de diferiti autori. Iar unele expresii sunt traduse in romana(!) ca note de subsol... Oricum, e buna ideea sa caut texte scurte de stiri pe internet. Si poate mai gasesc si alte fragmente...
Eu cred ca limbajul de bucatarie e prea complex, deocamdata ... dar mai am rabdare ...

Posted by: sweet_girl Mar 13 2009, 10:14 PM

Lili, nu ai ceva de Michael Vince? Mie mi se pare de baza, de fapt si toti profesorii il recomanda. Concentreaza toata gramatica, are exercitii de vocabular etc.., rezolvarile.

Posted by: Lilisor Mar 14 2009, 12:54 PM

Nu am auzit, dar o sa-l caut. Eu tot la recomandarea unui profesor am luat gramatica lui Leon Levitchi si mi se pare ok.

Posted by: magdy Mar 17 2009, 04:41 PM

one good turn deserves another

Posted by: Julsko Apr 28 2010, 12:01 PM

thx for info , this is interesting and new to me.