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Is there such a thing as an English-Volepük machine translator? I have found online dictionaries but am just wondering if such a thing exists. Avnas Ishtaroth drop me a line 01:52, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
This may be a popular question around here, but I didn't see it posted, nor did the articles on Fact and Opinion help. If this question has been answered before, a link to the answer would be much appreciated.
Fact or Opinion: Michael Jordan is a good basketball player.
Fact or Opinion: Donovan Bailey was a fast runner.
Fact or Opinion: Christian Bale is a good actor.
Fact or Opinion: Swimming is a good way to keep fit.
For all of these, I can definitely see these statements argued as either fact or opinion. Michael Jordan's stats, awards and championships; can they be used as evidence to call him a 'good' basketball player? What if someone had the opinion that in order to be good basketball player, you needed to be able to *insert criterion that MJ does not meet*.
"swimming is a good way to keep fit" - I think it's possible to argue that swimming is a cardiovascular exercise, and thus a good way to keep fit. But on the other hand, the qualifier 'good' really throughs me for a curveball.
Somewhat inane questions, but hopefully someone will be able to answer these. Thanks 67.204.199.165 ( talk) 04:01, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
Swimming is a good way to keep fit.
Donovan Bailey was a fast runner.
Michael Jordan is a good basketball player.
Christian Bale is a good actor.
This is a quote from the article Ne me quitte pas, about a song by Jacques Brel.
I find the construction "he would later say in an interview" distracting and annoying, compared to "he said in an interview" or perhaps "he once said in an interview".
Is there any advantage in the longer form? Comments please. Wanderer57 ( talk) 16:07, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
Are there any natural languages which don't have words or affixes equivalent to "not", "un-", and others whose purpose is to denote negation? Conversely, are there any natural languages which lack semantically unrelated pairs of opposites(like "good" and "bad"), but have to use Newspeak-like constructions which would literally translate as "ungood" and the like? 207.233.87.226 ( talk) 17:23, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
While I can't answer to your question, I can tell you that Korean has a verb for "does exist" and also another verb for "does not exist". You can of course use negation with either of them. --
Kjoon
lee
16:20, 3 August 2008 (UTC)
A bit of a strech: in Chinese (Putonghua), there is no "no" there. One can say "is not," "not have," "not correct," "cannot," "not able," "don't want to" and "not" a lot of things, but a straight "no" is a contraction of one of these phrases. DOR (HK) ( talk) 02:01, 4 August 2008 (UTC)
The article on Leo Tolstoy gives his name a number of ways:
I'm sure it's correct, but I've got a few niggling doubts. I have seen his name written as Lyoff, and it seems that Alexandra Tolstaya wrote his name that way when writing English. Now, her spelling makes sense to me: that his name would be Лёв with a yo. Of course that letter can be written with an plain е, but is still pronounced the same. Also, is not the в at the end of his name devoiced? How did Tolstoy write his own name? — Gareth Hughes ( talk) 17:27, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
I took spanish in highschool, but I don't remember very much of it. My Mexican aunt knows I can't speak it very well, so i always try to come up with some weird phrase just to make her laugh. I've been using this one for years to make my army buddies laugh, but I've never used it around her since I don't get to see her very much. Please tell me if this sentence seems grammatically correct to the Spanish speakers out there: "¡Mi luchador nombre es amoladora de la carne y traigo el dolor!"
Should it just be "luchador" or should it be "luchador libre"? I have a family reunion coming up and I want to get it printed on a t-shirt along with a luchador libre mask just for the hell of it. I'm sure she will get a kick out of it. -- Ghostexorcist ( talk) 17:29, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
Currently the term "fraternities" redirects to Fraternity, which is sort of a disambiguation page, but mostly just a poorly written mess.
Everyone in the United States knows that fraternities refers to a type of student organization. But does the term--NOT the singular term "fraternity," but specifically the plural form--have any other connotations outside of the U.S.? In other words, would an Englishman say " The Masons and the Oddfellows are two different fraternities" or would he just say they are two different "societies" or "fraternal organizations"? Bear in mind that I'm not asking if it is possible to use "fraternities" in some other sense than clubs for college boys--I am merely asking if it is commonly used as such.-- The Fat Man Who Never Came Back ( talk) 19:13, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
I've heard it used in a religious context, such as organisations like Oblates but not for masons etc. hotclaws 01:37, 2 August 2008 (UTC)
I'm confused over when to use which word..
I know the word Humid can be used when describing air that is HOT and DAMP, but in my text here, it is not hot.. it is more of a typical fall/autumn weather, chilly and wet.. is MOIST the right word to use?
"The morning broke foggy, but the fog cleared up not long after daybreak on what was a chilly, bleak morning. The air was MOIST and the ground slightly muddy after a bit of rain had fallen during the night."
if not moist, then what word is the better? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.164.179.83 ( talk) 19:30, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
I wouldn't use moist to describe air--it's generally used to describe solid and semi-solid substances. I think "damp" or "misty" might be more appropriate.-- The Fat Man Who Never Came Back ( talk) 19:33, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
thanks! :) damp doesnt feel right, but misty is just what i needed :) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.164.179.83 ( talk) 19:43, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
My wife was very often moist, sometimes clammy, and the odd time damp, but never humid. That should give you some idea of how to use the words. ChokinBako ( talk) 20:38, 3 August 2008 (UTC)
Can anyone please explain why some Scottish names are prefixed as above; why some are Mac and others Mc.
Many thanks-- Artjo ( talk) 19:51, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
I cant promise you my asnwer is a correct one but I believe MAC is more commonly used in MODERN day in countries such as for example the USA.
While MC came to use in days of old in scottland when people there lived in clans. I believe it meant "son of" so if your last name was Mcgregor, it meant you were the son of Gregor. Just like the use of O' in Ireland, such as O'Brien.
So MAC has probably come in modern time and doesnt have any special meaning..
As I said i don't know for sure, but hopefully my answer helps a little.. But I do know for a fact that MAC is more common in USA (and possibly other english talking countries too) while MC is more seen in Scottland
Krikkert7 ( talk) 20:16, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
Actually, sometimes this is shortened to 'mic' (possibly the origin of the word 'Mick' meaning an Irishman), and in the Isle Of Man it is shortened even further to just 'k', which is why so many people in the Isle Of Man have names beginning with 'K'. ChokinBako ( talk) 20:35, 3 August 2008 (UTC)
In the question "Was kaufen Sie ein?", what does the "ein" mean or what purpose does it serve? Couldn't you just say "Was kaufen Sie?"? Dismas| (talk) 23:19, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
Is it true that "一" is pronounced with different tones depending on the tone of the word following it? If so what rules are there? And how important is it to do so? -- 212.120.246.239 ( talk) 23:53, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
Language desk | ||
---|---|---|
< July 30 | << Jun | July | Aug >> | August 1 > |
Welcome to the Wikipedia Language Reference Desk Archives |
---|
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages. |
Is there such a thing as an English-Volepük machine translator? I have found online dictionaries but am just wondering if such a thing exists. Avnas Ishtaroth drop me a line 01:52, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
This may be a popular question around here, but I didn't see it posted, nor did the articles on Fact and Opinion help. If this question has been answered before, a link to the answer would be much appreciated.
Fact or Opinion: Michael Jordan is a good basketball player.
Fact or Opinion: Donovan Bailey was a fast runner.
Fact or Opinion: Christian Bale is a good actor.
Fact or Opinion: Swimming is a good way to keep fit.
For all of these, I can definitely see these statements argued as either fact or opinion. Michael Jordan's stats, awards and championships; can they be used as evidence to call him a 'good' basketball player? What if someone had the opinion that in order to be good basketball player, you needed to be able to *insert criterion that MJ does not meet*.
"swimming is a good way to keep fit" - I think it's possible to argue that swimming is a cardiovascular exercise, and thus a good way to keep fit. But on the other hand, the qualifier 'good' really throughs me for a curveball.
Somewhat inane questions, but hopefully someone will be able to answer these. Thanks 67.204.199.165 ( talk) 04:01, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
Swimming is a good way to keep fit.
Donovan Bailey was a fast runner.
Michael Jordan is a good basketball player.
Christian Bale is a good actor.
This is a quote from the article Ne me quitte pas, about a song by Jacques Brel.
I find the construction "he would later say in an interview" distracting and annoying, compared to "he said in an interview" or perhaps "he once said in an interview".
Is there any advantage in the longer form? Comments please. Wanderer57 ( talk) 16:07, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
Are there any natural languages which don't have words or affixes equivalent to "not", "un-", and others whose purpose is to denote negation? Conversely, are there any natural languages which lack semantically unrelated pairs of opposites(like "good" and "bad"), but have to use Newspeak-like constructions which would literally translate as "ungood" and the like? 207.233.87.226 ( talk) 17:23, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
While I can't answer to your question, I can tell you that Korean has a verb for "does exist" and also another verb for "does not exist". You can of course use negation with either of them. --
Kjoon
lee
16:20, 3 August 2008 (UTC)
A bit of a strech: in Chinese (Putonghua), there is no "no" there. One can say "is not," "not have," "not correct," "cannot," "not able," "don't want to" and "not" a lot of things, but a straight "no" is a contraction of one of these phrases. DOR (HK) ( talk) 02:01, 4 August 2008 (UTC)
The article on Leo Tolstoy gives his name a number of ways:
I'm sure it's correct, but I've got a few niggling doubts. I have seen his name written as Lyoff, and it seems that Alexandra Tolstaya wrote his name that way when writing English. Now, her spelling makes sense to me: that his name would be Лёв with a yo. Of course that letter can be written with an plain е, but is still pronounced the same. Also, is not the в at the end of his name devoiced? How did Tolstoy write his own name? — Gareth Hughes ( talk) 17:27, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
I took spanish in highschool, but I don't remember very much of it. My Mexican aunt knows I can't speak it very well, so i always try to come up with some weird phrase just to make her laugh. I've been using this one for years to make my army buddies laugh, but I've never used it around her since I don't get to see her very much. Please tell me if this sentence seems grammatically correct to the Spanish speakers out there: "¡Mi luchador nombre es amoladora de la carne y traigo el dolor!"
Should it just be "luchador" or should it be "luchador libre"? I have a family reunion coming up and I want to get it printed on a t-shirt along with a luchador libre mask just for the hell of it. I'm sure she will get a kick out of it. -- Ghostexorcist ( talk) 17:29, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
Currently the term "fraternities" redirects to Fraternity, which is sort of a disambiguation page, but mostly just a poorly written mess.
Everyone in the United States knows that fraternities refers to a type of student organization. But does the term--NOT the singular term "fraternity," but specifically the plural form--have any other connotations outside of the U.S.? In other words, would an Englishman say " The Masons and the Oddfellows are two different fraternities" or would he just say they are two different "societies" or "fraternal organizations"? Bear in mind that I'm not asking if it is possible to use "fraternities" in some other sense than clubs for college boys--I am merely asking if it is commonly used as such.-- The Fat Man Who Never Came Back ( talk) 19:13, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
I've heard it used in a religious context, such as organisations like Oblates but not for masons etc. hotclaws 01:37, 2 August 2008 (UTC)
I'm confused over when to use which word..
I know the word Humid can be used when describing air that is HOT and DAMP, but in my text here, it is not hot.. it is more of a typical fall/autumn weather, chilly and wet.. is MOIST the right word to use?
"The morning broke foggy, but the fog cleared up not long after daybreak on what was a chilly, bleak morning. The air was MOIST and the ground slightly muddy after a bit of rain had fallen during the night."
if not moist, then what word is the better? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.164.179.83 ( talk) 19:30, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
I wouldn't use moist to describe air--it's generally used to describe solid and semi-solid substances. I think "damp" or "misty" might be more appropriate.-- The Fat Man Who Never Came Back ( talk) 19:33, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
thanks! :) damp doesnt feel right, but misty is just what i needed :) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.164.179.83 ( talk) 19:43, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
My wife was very often moist, sometimes clammy, and the odd time damp, but never humid. That should give you some idea of how to use the words. ChokinBako ( talk) 20:38, 3 August 2008 (UTC)
Can anyone please explain why some Scottish names are prefixed as above; why some are Mac and others Mc.
Many thanks-- Artjo ( talk) 19:51, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
I cant promise you my asnwer is a correct one but I believe MAC is more commonly used in MODERN day in countries such as for example the USA.
While MC came to use in days of old in scottland when people there lived in clans. I believe it meant "son of" so if your last name was Mcgregor, it meant you were the son of Gregor. Just like the use of O' in Ireland, such as O'Brien.
So MAC has probably come in modern time and doesnt have any special meaning..
As I said i don't know for sure, but hopefully my answer helps a little.. But I do know for a fact that MAC is more common in USA (and possibly other english talking countries too) while MC is more seen in Scottland
Krikkert7 ( talk) 20:16, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
Actually, sometimes this is shortened to 'mic' (possibly the origin of the word 'Mick' meaning an Irishman), and in the Isle Of Man it is shortened even further to just 'k', which is why so many people in the Isle Of Man have names beginning with 'K'. ChokinBako ( talk) 20:35, 3 August 2008 (UTC)
In the question "Was kaufen Sie ein?", what does the "ein" mean or what purpose does it serve? Couldn't you just say "Was kaufen Sie?"? Dismas| (talk) 23:19, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
Is it true that "一" is pronounced with different tones depending on the tone of the word following it? If so what rules are there? And how important is it to do so? -- 212.120.246.239 ( talk) 23:53, 31 July 2008 (UTC)