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 Sentence Structure

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rainbow689
zadaconnaway
Pam
Phil Whitley
lin
pol mcshane
Dick Stodghill
Abe F. March
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Abe F. March
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Abe F. March


Number of posts : 10768
Registration date : 2008-01-26
Age : 85
Location : Germany

Sentence Structure Empty
PostSubject: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySat Jun 21, 2008 11:58 am

Writing in more than one language can cause problems with grammar and sentence structure. In German, all nouns are capitalized whereas in English they are not. In German the verb usually comes at the end of the sentence. Often one must listen intently until the sentence is finished to know what the speaker means to say. In the Lancaster, PA., area, where Pennsylvania Dutch (Deutsch) is spoken by the Amish, you find many expressions that they have made into signs for the tourists. One example is: “Throw the cow over the fence some hay.”

I’m wondering if that influence is also the cause for sentences like: “I’m going to buy me a new car.” Or, “I’m going to make myself some toast.”
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Dick Stodghill
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Dick Stodghill


Number of posts : 3795
Registration date : 2008-05-04
Age : 98
Location : Akron, Ohio

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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySat Jun 21, 2008 2:50 pm

That might well be the reason, Abe. So many people came here from various countries it's surprising we speak as well as we do.
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pol mcshane
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pol mcshane


Number of posts : 112
Registration date : 2008-02-04
Location : Texas

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PostSubject: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySat Jun 21, 2008 3:47 pm

That is so true, Dick. And I will go one step further. I just returned from Canada, (I am toying with the idea of moving there). I am already one who has to be very careful when spelling (I've become lazy, and let the computer fix things too amny times). But in Canada, they spell words differently. Great! affraid
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lin
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lin


Number of posts : 2753
Registration date : 2008-03-20
Location : Mexico

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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySat Jun 21, 2008 4:20 pm

I remember a guy describing German syntax as "diving into the Atlantic and emerging on the other side with a verb in your teeth"
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Phil Whitley
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Phil Whitley


Number of posts : 907
Registration date : 2008-04-01
Age : 81
Location : Riverdale, GA

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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySat Jun 21, 2008 5:02 pm

Quote :
I’m
wondering if that influence is also the cause for sentences like: “I’m
going to buy me a new car.” Or, “I’m going to make myself some toast.”

Here in Georgia (USA) that would be "
I’m
fixin' to buy me a new car.” Or, “I’m fixin' to make myself some toast.”

Or, "I'm fixin' to take and go to town."
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Pam
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Pam


Number of posts : 1790
Registration date : 2008-02-01
Age : 58
Location : Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Sentence Structure Empty
PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySat Jun 21, 2008 7:53 pm

I always thought this was a bit weird "I'm going to fix some toast." Was it really broken?

Pol I had to do a bunch of work in order to make the courses I wrote "ready" to sell in the US, and it doesn't take long although it does look quite odd. Once you've mastered chesterfield, poutine, chequebook and toque, everything else is gravy. Very Happy
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zadaconnaway
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zadaconnaway


Number of posts : 4017
Registration date : 2008-01-16
Age : 76
Location : Washington, USA

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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 12:51 am

What, pray tell, is poutine? The rest is no puzzle. If one looks at 'olde English' as it was spelled way back when, it is wonder any of us can spell at all.

Abe, I understood all those sentences, even if they were wrong! I have the deepest admiration for those who come the the US and learn the language. I have lived here all my life, and still don't always do it correctly; speaking or writing.
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rainbow689
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rainbow689


Number of posts : 403
Registration date : 2008-04-15
Age : 73
Location : Laredo TX

Sentence Structure Empty
PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 5:00 am

Abe F. March wrote:
Writing in
more than one language can cause problems with grammar and sentence
structure. In German, all nouns are capitalized whereas in English they
are not. In German the verb usually comes at the end of the sentence.
Often one must listen intently until the sentence is finished to know
what the speaker means to say. In the Lancaster, PA., area, where
Pennsylvania Dutch (Deutsch) is spoken by the Amish, you find many
expressions that they have made into signs for the tourists. One
example is: “Throw the cow over the fence some hay.”


I’m
wondering if that influence is also the cause for sentences like: “I’m
going to buy me a new car.” Or, “I’m going to make myself some toast.”

Back in Cockney London it would be, 'gonna make me some toast! Or,
'Gonna buy me a new car!' Personally I doubt if I'd be strong enough to
even pick up the cow, let alone throw it! Sentence Structure 710456
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Pam
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Pam


Number of posts : 1790
Registration date : 2008-02-01
Age : 58
Location : Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Sentence Structure Empty
PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 6:08 am

Zada poutine is a traditional French Canadian dish. In it's purest sense, it is a plate of homemade french fries, smothered in beef gravy and then topped off with cheese curds. In the heat the cheese gets all stretchy and gooey (so is sometimes replaced by mozzarella cheese). I am not a huge fan personally, although my kids both love it. Like apple pie, it's one of those dishes that people take great pride in, enter in competitions and all that fun foodie type of stuff.

Yummers. Very Happy
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zadaconnaway
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zadaconnaway


Number of posts : 4017
Registration date : 2008-01-16
Age : 76
Location : Washington, USA

Sentence Structure Empty
PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 6:40 am

Thanks Pam. You saved me having to google it.

Do the Canadians up there end their sentences with 'ay'? They seem to on this side of the continent. I have also heard some folks from bordering states like Minnesota do the same.

Whether they are asking a question or not, it makes a sentence sound as if there is a question mark at the end. "We're glad you came, ay?" for example.
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Shelagh
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Shelagh


Number of posts : 12662
Registration date : 2008-01-11
Location : UK

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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 6:45 am

"Talk to you later," as they say in Canada.
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Pam
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Pam


Number of posts : 1790
Registration date : 2008-02-01
Age : 58
Location : Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 6:48 am

Zada the "ay" ending is oft referred to but normally only heard in certain areas, most notably central and eastern Canada. You won't hear it anywhere near as often out west nor in the far north. We tend to spell it "eh" but it is pronounced the same. In some areas folks try to deliberately drop it from their pattern of speech, in the same way that they will try to reduce or neutralize a regional accent.

In your example, it is a sign of friendliness to have that -eh at the end.
Sentence Structure 614331
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Pam
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Pam


Number of posts : 1790
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Age : 58
Location : Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 6:50 am

"Talk to ya later, eh?"
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zadaconnaway
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zadaconnaway


Number of posts : 4017
Registration date : 2008-01-16
Age : 76
Location : Washington, USA

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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 6:55 am

Maybe I have only known friendly Canadians! I must admit the ones I have been in contact with are.
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Pam
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Pam


Number of posts : 1790
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Age : 58
Location : Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 7:28 am

That's a part of the Canadian Oath Zada, to promote Canada and her citizens as friendly ambassadors.
Of course, some folks don't take it too seriously and so just like everywhere else, we've got the good, the bad, and the downright rude. I just try to surround myself with the good ones.

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zadaconnaway
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zadaconnaway


Number of posts : 4017
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Location : Washington, USA

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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 7:34 am

All the Canadians I have met so far are fulfilling their oaths. In fact some I have known in the past were extremely friendly, but we won't go there right now. Embarassed Wink
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zadaconnaway
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zadaconnaway


Number of posts : 4017
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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 7:57 am

Sentence Structure 892798 Sentence Structure 67296
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lin
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lin


Number of posts : 2753
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Location : Mexico

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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 8:20 am

You know how Canadians spell "Canada"?
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zadaconnaway
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zadaconnaway


Number of posts : 4017
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Location : Washington, USA

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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 8:52 am

I give up, lin, how do Canadians spell "Canada" if it is different?
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Abe F. March
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Abe F. March


Number of posts : 10768
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Age : 85
Location : Germany

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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 1:16 pm

Pam,
I started using "eh" when I was in Calgary and have used it ever since in my informal communications. It is comparable to "no?" when one is seeking a positive response, as in "you like this, no?"
In greece I always got the "Na" or "Nay" confused with "No" when in fact "Na" meant "Yes."
Is it any wonder that communication is a problem especially in international relations. I often think of the line in the movie, "Cool Hand Luke," when the warden said, "What we have here is a failure to communicate."
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Shelagh
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Shelagh


Number of posts : 12662
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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 2:18 pm

Canada eh?

http://www3.sympatico.ca/taniah/Canada/
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pol mcshane
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pol mcshane


Number of posts : 112
Registration date : 2008-02-04
Location : Texas

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PostSubject: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 3:56 pm

It was funny, Zada, when we first arrived at the hotel and checked in, the valet asked if we were checking in "ay"? We loved it! I also got a T-shirt that reads CANADA and across it at the bottom it says AY!
And Pam, I noticed the word cheque many times. Very different, but we love it so much!Sentence Structure 614331
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lin
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lin


Number of posts : 2753
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Location : Mexico

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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 4:49 pm

How Canucks spell "Canada"



C, eh? N, eh? D, eh?
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Pam
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Pam


Number of posts : 1790
Registration date : 2008-02-01
Age : 58
Location : Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 5:28 pm

We had a non-traditional day today. It is "multi-cultural day" which meant that we meandered around the waterfront and ate food from all over the world, listened to music and saw dancing from one corner to the other.
Glad that you folks are finding our little corner of the world interesting. Come and visit anytime, and I'll even pull out the maple syrup...or something like that!
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Sue
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Number of posts : 1216
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PostSubject: Re: Sentence Structure   Sentence Structure EmptySun Jun 22, 2008 5:33 pm

Sentence Structure 67296 Pam, my personal website hosting service is in Canada. One time last year I was talking to support and he thanked me for being so kind. I told him there was no other way to be. He said I would be surprised at the amount of Americans that are rude and downright mean because "they" are Americans and "he" was a Canadian. I never realized that we, Americans, were that way to you, Canadians. For that I am sorry.

To me everyone is equal. Well, maybe not everyone. I have to fit hubby in there somewhere *grin*.
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