Using English as a second language can sometimes bring awkward situations
Using English as a second language can sometimes bring awkward situations. This just happened to me and I thought of sharing with the community, so you may laugh a little.
As most of you know, English is not my first language.
I’m used to hearing that letters start with “Dear, Mr./Mrs. so and so”. And I’m also accustomed to the phrase “We miss dear so and so”. I have always thought that dear might be used when somebody wants to express kindness to another person, and there are equivalent words in Spanish and Italian.
Sometimes I use the phrase here at Wealthy Affiliate. “As my dear fellow member has said…”. And I have used it right now answering a question: https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/wa-affiliate-program/what-do-we-mean-by-lifetime-cookie-for-the-referral-link
But I’m still a bit insecure with my English, and whenever I have a chance, I try to research the expressions I’m using. I searched for “dear” and after a while, I found this:
And when I read “Not used between men”, Wow… I almost fell off the chair! I rushed to that last answer and took that dear away. I had been using it indistinctively without no respect of sex, addressing it to either man or woman.
But, I’m still worried because I don’t know how many more “dears” are out there, incorrectly addressed. Here is a deal: I’m willing to give you a comment on your site if you spot a politically incorrect “dear”. A comment for every deer you catch.
So, I’d like to say to all in the community, please forgive me for my bad English! If you ever read something that is not politically correct, please send me a PM (it would be a huge favor). I give you permission. I will not be offended. I would appreciate it very, very, very much!
Thanks for being such an awesome community! Here at Wealthy Affiliate we even learn to write/speak English! :)
Recent Comments
51
English is not an easy language for anyone to learn and you’re doing great.
‘Dear’ is used without regard to gender when used as a salutation; Dear Mr. Jones / Dear Ms. Smith
‘Dear’ is also a form of affection and may be used to describe your relationship with another regardless of gender; “ This is my dear friend Sarah” or “I’d like you to meet my dear friend James.”
Used as a personal form of affection ‘Dear’ is now rarely used and is a form of endearment “Please come sit with me, Dear” It has been replaced with the more recent “Babe” or “Honey”
What a language! As previously stated you’re doing great!
Thank you very much for your comprehensive explanation! Yes, English and languages in general are tricky when it comes to words and the proper context in which they should be used. Thank you very much for laying out all these aspects of the word. I really appreciate this great community. Here we not only learn that writing content is important, we also learn how to write correctly! When we are writing it’s very important to be aware of the connotations of the words we use. :) Thank you very much for the encouragement as well! :)
I really wouldn't worry. Many people for whom English IS a first language, do not do as well as you!! :)
Thank you so much for your kindness! Those are very nice words of comfort. I really don’t matter making a mistake once in a while. But I will always be concerned about awkward expressions! I really don’t like to say things that would make people frown! But with your help, I’ll continue to improve! Once again, thank you so much! :)
You're so welcome Henry. I'm a teacher so I have many a tale of English expressions that have gone awry! I'm usually never offended, but they can often make my day! :)
Hahahahaha! Yes, I imagine you have heard a lot of strange expressions in English! It’s good to know you’re a teacher! I might ask you a couple of things about English expressions and stuff like that (when I’m writing posts, I’m sometimes undecided if an expression suits the context). I would gladly exchange this type of quick help for comments on your sites. Could I ask you that type of things?
Absolutely please do. Happy to help. As we English say:
"If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" as "we're all in the same boat". And we don't want you "skating on thin ice" when you "reach for the stars" as that could lead to a "right pig's ear!" :)
Hahahahaha, help, help! I understood the first three but the last two are totally new for me! But, please don’t tell me. I’ll do my homework! Mr. Google will help me with those two! :) :) :)
This is so cool! I like to be challenged! I think I got it:
"If you help me, I’ll help you" as "we're all in the same situation starting out as affiliate marketers". And we don't want you to "be doing something to risky" when you "try to reach very ambitious goals" as that could lead to a "disastrous mess!" :)
I had a lot of fun looking these up! Thank you very much! I feel that I learned a lot of English today, thanks to you and Wealthy Affiliate! From here on, each time I hear these expressions, I will remember you (at least the two last ones) :) :) Thank you so much!
You got it! And I'm loving the fact that you'll either remember me as a "very ambitious goal" or a "disastrous mess!!" I've had worse! Very glad to help and of course you must remember I have a wicked English sense of humour! :)
Hahahahahahahahaha, it just happened to be that I had never heard those two! It was just by chance! :) :) Yes, you have a mischievous sense of humor. I’ll be talking and writing like a native in no time if I continue to learn a lot of good English with you! Hahahahaha :) Thank you very much! :) :)
I have many people in my life to whom English is their second language. Those of us who speak only English salute you.
My wife and I had a young man from Haiti live with us for a year and a half. He could fluently speak French, Spanish, Creole and English. He would always ask us the meaning of words or phrases. Many times, the translations or slang terms would be lost on him.
You actually do very well! There's nothing to forgive. Keep learning, my friend. And, if you call me "dear", I'll be sure to PM you! ;)
I can only imagine how I would sound or write if I had to learn your language! Oh my, I'm sure it would entertain you...
Your English speaking friend,
Bob
Thank you so much for the encouragement! I really appreciate you putting yourself in my place! Translating word by word is not always accurate, and the daily exposure to the language in everyday life is needed to distinguish certain social aspects. And that is a plus I have found here at Wealthy Affiliate!
I learned about this one, and I would really appreciate it if you send me a PM if I make any other awkward statement. I’m decided to improve my English! And that is a daily task!
Thanks for all the support!
Hi! Henry-II,
You will improve English writing at a fast pace since there is a significant similarity between Italian and English because they belong to a similar alphabetical system. That should be easier than what I have been with English as the third language after Taiwanese and mandarin. I always enjoyed reading your posts.
Happy Holidays,
Thank you very much! And that is true. My effort learning English is nothing compared to what you have to face: Taiwanese and Mandarin are way more far apart from English, than Italian is! Thank you for your support and I’ll be willing to help if there is anything in which I can lend a hand.
In fact, you have done well and more writing will bring more improvement in time. You will surely be good in English sooner than you may think. So, keep writing and WA is the right place to move your online ambition.
Thank you for the encouragement! And may that affirmation about becoming proficient in English become true! And I totally agree with you, the more we write, the better we get!
It sounds the same. I put only N at the beginning because I was not sure how dangerous it is to reveal my personal identity.
N is quite cool! I hope you’re doing well. I have really started to enjoy thing here at WA. It all seems to start falling in place. But first months where not easy. Well, I still have issues with the language, but hopefully they will become fewer every day! Have a very nice evening! :)
See more comments
Sure there are a lot of pitfalls a non-native speaker get get into while speaking a foreign language. No worry. We all learn making mistakes.And what's funny, sometimes those for whom English is the second language are more accurate in its usage than the native speakers.:)
Yes, thanks for the support! I’d really like to get to that point where I’m accurate in every word and can decide between one word and another based on their connotation! But, I’m still far from that. That requires time, exposure and the yearning to learn.
I am afraid, it's not quite attainable a goal. We can hardly be absolutely accurate in every word in our own language, unless we are professional linguists. But a good thing is it's not necessary. There are standards of a good language, language of educated people, and that should be the goal...:)
Yes, you’re absolutely right! It’s a great comfort at the present moment that this is not required for becoming a successful affiliate marketer! Thank you very much for your insight and I’m also grateful for your recent help.
Well, you see if your niche is languages, the expectations and requirements are a bit higher, I guess.You cannot totally relax...:-)
Yes, you’re right in that point as well! The expectations and requirements are a bit higher! :) I’ll work with that in mind! :)
:))