Tips from a native speaker

[zt] Tips from a native speaker
author: foxcool (chinadaily community)

I've notice alot of mistakes on these forums and I hope that my post would enlighten and improve your English.

Here are some rules I have come up with.

1. NEVER traslate. most of the mistakes here comes from translation. The mistake most Chinese make is to translate word for word.

That will NEVER work, English and Chinese have huge differences both in expression and gramma. If one is to try to translate a Chinese text word for word 99% it would NOT make any sense, or make you sound like an idiot.

2. Translate only the idea. Translation should only be done on the idea level, NOT on the words. An expression like "welcome you" is just stupid, "welcome" suffices.

3. English and Chinese are DIFFERENT, I notice people like to address themselves as "boy" or "girl". Watch some movies or read some novels, you hardly see one addressing another that way, "guy" or "lady" would be a good replacement.

4. Think of the object, not the word. when you hear the word "orange," do NOT think of the Chinese translation of the word, instead think of a real orange. Apply this rule as much as you can to all the objects you see.

5. Do NOT go to English classes. I've lived in Guangzhou for three years now and I can tell you, ALL the English classes are USELESS. Instead, watch more movies but turn OFF the subtitles, and read some English novels.

6. Try ICQ, chat with real native English speakers, but get your English to a certain level first, because most likely people will lose patience with your English.

7. If all the grammatic rules are applied, the English language wouldn't exist.

English dialogs are very intricated, don't ever try speaking the way you write; it will only sound weird. Oral and written language are different, treat them that way. Learn to speak like in the movies, learn to write like in the novels.[/COLOR]

Last rule, NEVER TRANSLATE the words. Translate the ideas.

peace
~foxcool

this is a posting that has created a lot of discussions. some disagree and some agree but with reservations. i don't know what ICQ is (Rule 6). and i am not sure if it is an overstatement for Rule 5. by the way, i think it would help to turn ON the subtitles when watching a movie. otherwise, i think these rules are great.

is the author,foxcool native in chinese or english?

poor man, too much visible error.

many expressed their concerns about foxcool's true identity as a native english speaker. by instinct, on the first reading of the posting, i judged him as native speaker of english. it doesn't matter he writes sloppy english or flawless english. it is the easy s^tyle, careless attitude and yet an obvious freedom in expressing ideas that convinced me his "nativeness". my grade-three nephew is a native speaker although he can't pass my scrutiny every time. and in daily life, i hardly find any chinese writes flawless chinese except on backchina. cheers!

They are very good tips, however, it is very hard for us to act like that! after all, we get used to the way learning English, it's hard to change! Anyway, I'll try my best to do that!