Vocabulary... I'm confused

[D5edon]

So many words have different meanings and sometimes the same spellings, which really doesn't help lol

Homophones!
Sorry the sad linguist in me can't resist and please don't get me started on the use/misuse of the apostrophe. I'll crawl back under my stone now

 

[Frans]

Hi
another Englishwoman in France here. Following up on earlier in the thread as this is something that I struggle with – it seems to me that:

Poney Club in France = riding school in England

Pony Club in England = no equivalent in France

Everything for kids here is done through the poney clubs – which round us means not very much other than standard group riding lessons. Perhaps they are more active elsewhere in the country?

The Pony Club is really something pretty unique to the English. Even the European Pony Club hasn’t managed to carry this abroad in the same way.

Miss it!!!

 

[MrVelvet]

This thread has absolutely made my day!!! Thankyou for sharing the French meanings with us! But one thing that always confused me about the French language is that some words are masculine (like tights??) And some are feminine!

 

[pootleperkin]

If I may I'm going to ask my own question as it's been bugging me! What is it called when a word has been shortened from an expression? For example Three Pence becomes Thrupnce

It's generally called a contraction - the more classic examples would be 'cannot' to 'can't' and 'do not' to 'don't' etc. Actually, I'm not sure that the case you are on about might not be a contraction as such, but just a shortening?

 

[MrsElle]

I was once sent a word document called 'Why the English language is so hard to learn'.

Here it is, and it does make you think!

Reasons why the english language is so hard to learn:

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail
18) After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

I am in awe of people who can speak English as a second language, it seem incredibly difficult to learn.

 

[lillith]

If I may I'm going to ask my own question as it's been bugging me! What is it called when a word has been shortened from an expression? For example Three Pence becomes Thrupnce

I believe it is called a contraction, similar to do not / don't ect.

ach, just realised I am the second person to answer this.

Oh well means we are probably right seeing as pootleperkin said the same thing

 

[FinkleyAlex]

This thread has absolutely made my day!!! Thankyou for sharing the French meanings with us! But one thing that always confused me about the French language is that some words are masculine (like tights??) And some are feminine!

Many languages do this - thats why its often far simpler for another european language speaker to learn english rather than an english person learning another european language. French is my first language followed by English and then I learnt German at school which had a whole list of other male/female worlds = headache! I personally think you have to be either very dedicated at learning vocabulary or taught from a young age in order to properly get the masculine/feminine thing in your head...I still sometimes make the odd error even now, using le instead of la before quickly correcting myself!

 

[mulledwhine]

It is a difficult language, and getting harder all the time eg gay - to be happy, gay- to like the opposite sex, sick - to be ill , sick- fantastic !!!'

Don't worry, it is very confusing

 

[Challaborough Christmas Tree]

Wow! Your English is fantastic (probably better than mine but I'm Welsh really so I have an excuse even though I speak English not Welsh.) I've been learning French for three years in school and along with German is probably my best subject however I'm pretty sure I won't ever be able to speak French like this. I'm off to Paris in two weeks actually with school, any advice for speaking French to strangers in the Disney queue? I would have tried to write most of this in French but my brain hurts from a week in school

 

[FinkleyAlex]

Wow! Your English is fantastic (probably better than mine but I'm Welsh really so I have an excuse even though I speak English not Welsh.) I've been learning French for three years in school and along with German is probably my best subject however I'm pretty sure I won't ever be able to speak French like this. I'm off to Paris in two weeks actually with school, any advice for speaking French to strangers in the Disney queue? I would have tried to write most of this in French but my brain hurts from a week in school

Just have a good go - the french are very proud people and absolutely love it when other europeans try and learn their language! They'll be very patient with you and I find that speaking a language is the best way of learning it. I was sat in a cafe the other day in the deep south of france and many english couples came in...only one couple tried to order the food in french (literally only asked for a ham and cheese sandwich) and the cafe owner was so pleased with their effort!