Problems with English? Questions? Vocabulary, grammar... Post here :)

Mr. Alex · 10-19-2011, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCode

(/me stops treating LQ /General like a chatroom for now…)

LQ says about "General": "This forum is for non-technical general discussion which can include both Linux and non-Linux topics. Have fun!". So I guess it might be something like a chatroom.

MrCode · 10-19-2011, 11:22 AM

@brianL, Mr. Alex

I was mostly referring to the fact that there were posts within literally one minute of each other going back and forth, so it was nearly as fast as an IM chatroom. I know that /General tends to be used for "chatting" in the sense of non-technical discussion; that's not what I was talking about.

brianL · 10-19-2011, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCode

@brianL, Mr. Alex

I was mostly referring to the fact that there were posts within literally one minute of each other going back and forth

Ah! Thanks. Quick-fire stuff, eh? I must have been using two fingers to type...getting better!

Xeratul · 10-19-2011, 02:15 PM

What is the adjective or name that possibly qualifies persons that are constantly/all the time over-evaluating - events, - possibilities, or that are analyzing things faster than any others. Usually these persons are qualified to have "Visions". In most cases, in goal assessments (what one can learn at business school), these persons are often/in most cases becoming "leaders".

One of the best example is: Duncan Idaho from the book Dune (if by chance you have read the book). He was one important person in the life of Paul. Duncan was also said to be "Mentat". - A rare person.

What's the best definition in few words of this quality that had Duncan ? - Hadn't he excellent skills in rhetoric? - It may signify for Duncan possibly a higher degree of intelligence but not necessarily. However the gift of Duncan may have some advantages, but on the other hand, it may have caused over-saturation of his mind, leading to some possible lack of spontaneity in life. - It may likely not be one tip in Life that can lead to Happiness.

Would adjectives/names in US- or UK-English may qualify/represent for this sort of "quality"?

brianL · 10-19-2011, 02:38 PM

These are the only things I can think of, at the moment:
* analyzing things faster than any others = perceptive, visionary (possibly)
* natural leadership qualities, draws others to follow him/her = charismatic

I read "Dune" a long time ago, can't remember much detail about it.

Desdd57 · 10-19-2011, 05:10 PM

I am trying to help an indiginous friend with his Resume. But his first paragraph has me stumbled? Can anybody offer some advice or reconstruction of the following paragraph

Quote:

My goal now is to obtain permanent employment utilizing my skills and working in a good environment with people of kindness and maturity. I try my best to become a good server for other people and help them with problems to find the best solutions and learn from others also.

Thanks in advance

Anisha Kaul · 10-20-2011, 12:26 AM

So, I am again in a controversy. A Moderator there says that the following post is more than irritating!

The following post was in reply to a pic for critique from another Mod, who asked: "Does this style of photography get boring?":

Code:

TBH lately I have found your style of photographs to be a bit boring indeed.
You photograph in a "particular" style, always.
You know, in the published photos section I can make out that this photo must be Robert's (without reading the author name), and mostly I am correct.

Reason:
Your photographs (including this one) tell me that you captured scenes are "staged" shots.
It seems to be very obvious that you must have told those people:
1. I am going to photograph you tomorrow, I hope you don't have any problems with that.
2. Fine, now look in the camera, don't move.
3. Yeah you can smile a bit, I won't eat you.

Clicking pics while people do their daily chores might be refreshing for your viewers, and in that process if they accidentally look up and you can capture it too. That'll be a nice change.

In the current form, "most of" your photographs tell about the "environment" of a person, ONLY.
From "most of" your photographs, all I can make out is:
1. People are poor and malnutritioned.
2. They live in messy huts rather than modern houses.

Haven't seen anything new from your side for quite a while now.

AFA technical details are concerned, I don't think anyone can compete with you in composition or black&white transformation etc.

I "have to" know how to convey him (in a non irritating way) that "staged shots are boring (though not always)".
He has yet not understood my point with the above post, and is demanding another explanation.
HELP, before they throw me out of the fora!

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianL

Sorry to say, but it's still a mess, Ani.

Taking photos of people when they're unaware of it can be interesting and entertaining, more so if they catch you at it.

Thanks for the effort, Brian, and that's indeed a pleasant statement now.
But, I'll be more grateful if you could "reform" my original statement
using/rearranging my words there. I'll learn more that way.

Taking photos of people when they're doing their daily chores can be refreshing for your viewers, especially if they look up to you accidentally in the process.

Still wrong.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigTerm

Is "click" supposed to mean "take a photograph" in this sentence?

Yeah, and you were thinking about the website all this while? LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigTerm

When you "click" something, it means this something is located on the webpage.

Or on a camera? ;-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigTerm

Some non-english languages have "click a picture" construct which means "take a photo",

If I translate (to English) what we say in Hindi about this one, it'll be:
"Snatching" a picture, LOL.

BTW, You were helpful, thanks for that.

SigTerm · 10-20-2011, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

Yeah, and you were thinking about the website all this while? LOL

Yes, because you don't click physical object in english (unless there's some kind of obscure jargon I'm unaware of).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

Or on a camera? ;-)

Nope. It doesn't work this way. Camera can click. You can make camera click. (I think) You can also take a photo that clicks. You can't click physical camera. I.e. (AFAIK) in english something can click, you can make something click (there's more than one meaning), but you don't click something that is not on a computer screen, because this meaning of "click" implies existence of computer mouse and a computer screen. Check the dictionary.com. AFAIK, CLick implies mouse button and when you talk about camera button, you "press" it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

But, I'll be more grateful if you could "reform" my original statement
using/rearranging my words there. I'll learn more that way.

I don't think it will work. You really need to use different sentence and ditch current one completely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

Taking photos of people when they're doing their daily chores...

It is called "street photography". Or you can call it "unstaged photography".

Also, as far as I can tell from the text you provided, your main complaint is that photographer in question doesn't show/bring out character of a person he photographs. Which could be either photograph's intent(matter of taste), or maybe he can't do it, which would indicate he doesn't know how to work with people. Sounds like a nice beginning for a lengthy flamewar.

Anisha Kaul · 10-20-2011, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigTerm

AFAIK, CLick implies mouse button and when you talk about camera button, you "press" it.

Haven't thought about "clicks" so pedantically yet.
Actually, the place where I live, I have often heard people saying "click the camera button" or "click the picture" or something like that!
That's why I thought "clicks" and "pictures" together will signal photography, and when you mentioned websites, I thought you were writing kind of satire! ;p

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigTerm

Sounds like a nice beginning for a lengthy flamewar.

I have already got into one. God save me! There are two moderators on one side.
What's my fault, he asked for an honest opinion!
BTW, in that text do you think I have mentioned "reasons" for finding his pics boring?
I think I have, but he doesn't seem to understand.
Both of them are German speakers. ;p

SigTerm · 10-20-2011, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

Haven't thought about "clicks" so pedantically yet.

I simply recalled usage patterns I saw/heard in english resources.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

Actually, the place where I live, I have often heard people saying "click the camera button" or "click the picture" or something like that!

In english?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

That's why I thought "clicks" and "pictures" together will signal photography,

AFAIK when used as a verb implies computer mouse, GUI element (button on screen), link, or URL. Also "to click" == "to make noise"(clicking noise) or "to fit". There's a nonzero probability of me being wrong (or having incomplete knowledge), but you'll have to ask native speaker (or a linguist) for clarification. If "click" is indeed used as "take a photograph" then I haven't seen such usage anywhere (plus dictionary com doesn't know about it).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

BTW, in that text do you think I have mentioned "reasons" for finding his pics boring.
I think I have, but he doesn't seem to understand.
Both of them are German speakers. ;p

"Boring" is subjective, so discussing "what is boring" might trigger extra flamewar. You can soften discussion by saying "it looks boring to ME" - unfortunately, some people don't realize that everything written on the internet is somebody's subjective opinion (that can be ignored with zero effort), and get aggressive/defensive when they see criticism, because they interpret phrases "it is boring" as "it is boring to everybody and bad".

Anisha Kaul · 10-20-2011, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigTerm

I simply recalled usage patterns I saw/heard in english resources.

I have been posting in this thread for quite a while now, and
have often been told that my words or my way of using words is
very "old" and used to be used in the Britishers time (when they
ruled India). Not sure this click problem is also a result of the
same!?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigTerm

In english?

Shamefully and unfortunately, the youths of this country don't
know "pure" Hindi. And if someone speaks in "pure" Hindi, they
make fun of him thinking it is out of fashion.
People speak here with Hindi and English "mixed".

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigTerm

"Boring" is subjective, so discussing "what is boring" might trigger extra flamewar. You can soften discussion by saying "it looks boring to ME" - unfortunately, some people don't realize that everything written on the internet is somebody's subjective opinion (that can be ignored with zero effort), and get aggressive/defensive when they see criticism, because they interpret phrases "it is boring" as "it is boring to everybody and bad".

and in that cases they shouldn't ask for a "honest" opinion explicitly.
I told them that opinions can never be right or wrong, they just represent
a person's viewpoint. All in vain. Now I'll have to explain my definition
of boring with examples or they'll think I was trolling. I'll surely quit
the thread after that, it consumes a lot of energy!

SigTerm · 10-20-2011, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

Shamefully and unfortunately, the youths of this country don't
know "pure" Hindi.

Well, that's surprising. In some other countries "youth" refuses to learn any languages (even english) except their native one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

And if someone speaks in "pure" Hindi, they
make fun of him thinking it is out of fashion.
People speak here with Hindi and English "mixed".

Then it is a local dialect. Some people call such dialects engrish ("For accidental help call XXX" - "they will help you, but not on purpose"). As I said I haven't encountered "click" used in conjunction with photography("click picture") in native english sources I encountered (books, webpages, games, etc).

sycamorex · 10-20-2011, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigTerm

As I said I haven't encountered "click" used in conjunction with photography("click picture") in native english sources I encountered (books, webpages, games, etc).

Personally, I'd think that someone asks me to 'click a picture' on a website to enlarge it.

SigTerm · 10-20-2011, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sycamorex

Personally, I'd think that someone asks me to 'click a picture' on a website to enlarge it.

Same thing. "click a picture to enlarge" => mouse button/computer/gui element/webpage.

brianL · 10-20-2011, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

Thanks for the effort, Brian, and that's indeed a pleasant statement now.
But, I'll be more grateful if you could "reform" my original statement
using/rearranging my words there. I'll learn more that way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigTerm

I don't think it will work. You really need to use different sentence and ditch current one completely.

I agree with SigTerm. There's no way I can rearrange/reform the words in that sentence to make it better. It's incurable. Beyond hope.