Linguistically Speaking

Teaching

Sunday, 31. May 2009

How to Make a Swan

To study the staging of an "Ugly Duckling to Beautiful Swan" transformation:

Susan Boyle in "Britain's Got Talent"
(Embedding unfortunately disabled)

(Again, works with students, too)

Friday, 2. May 2008

Switzerland - Next European Champion?

(a student's discussion of the reasons why Switzerland could win the European Championship)

"[...] However, the Swiss national team has really good physical abilities. They can run faster than me without losing breath. I must mention that I faint after running about ten meters. Unfortunately, I am not the measure of all things. So they were not as fast as the German players at the last game. In other words, the Swiss players were as fast as a turtle, whereas the German players were Speedy Gonzales. Nevertheless, the Swiss national team has good physical abilities - compared to me.

Switzerland therefore has not had good results since the World Football Championship. [...] Actually, these bad results could be only a diversionary tactic. Switzerland will play much better during the European championship. Moreover, the opposing team will be confused because they will have underestimated our team. This reason is the most improbable one, but hope springs eternal."

Sunday, 9. March 2008

Perfect Passive

"The young people were pleased with each other from the first. On each side there was much to attract, and their acquaintance soon promised as early an intimacy as good manners would warrant. Miss Crawford’s beauty did her no disservice with the Miss Bertrams. They were too handsome themselves to dislike any woman for being so too, and were almost as much charmed as their brothers with her lively dark eye, clear brown complexion, and general prettiness. Had she been tall, full formed, and fair, it might have been more of a trial: but as it was, there could be no comparison; and she was most allowably a sweet, pretty girl, while they were the finest young women in the country.

Her brother was not handsome: no, when they first saw him he was absolutely plain, black and plain; but still he was the gentleman, with a pleasing address. The second meeting proved him not so very plain: he was plain, to be sure, but then he had so much countenance, and his teeth were so good, and he was so well made, that one soon forgot he was plain; and after a third interview, after dining in company with him at the Parsonage, he was no longer allowed to be called so by anybody. He was, in fact, the most agreeable young man the sisters had ever known, and they were equally delighted with him. Miss Bertram’s engagement made him in equity the property of Julia, of which Julia was fully aware; and before he had been at Mansfield a week, she was quite ready to be fallen in love with."

From: Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, Beginning of Chapter 5.

Monday, 28. January 2008

The Joys of Correcting, the 'Wild Things' edition

Mineral water can be still or _____ --wild.

.

Friday, 11. January 2008

The Joys of Correcting, Part III

"Looking for the perfect present for two hours [...] that's love. For women shopping may be fun. But men certainly don't like buying presents. And if they are looking for your present for two hours they really love you."

Tuesday, 4. December 2007

More Joys of Correcting

In my leisure time, I like to sit on my computer.

(maybe because it's nice and warm up there?)
(Also, you know you REALLY should stop correcting and get some sleep when stuff like this makes you laugh like crazy...)

Saturday, 17. November 2007

The Joys of Correcting, Part II

"When I finish my studies, I will go to Serbia for a year. [...]
And than I'll search there my dream man. With 25 years I will marry him. I want children when I'm 27 years old.
Me and work? I don't know. I think I will work only when my children are going to go in the kindergarten. I hope my husband will have a good job. [...]"

Friday, 28. September 2007

The Joys of Correcting

Say what the original sentence could have been, and explain the circumstances of the situation:
a) They said that they love each other.


Answer:

They said: "We love each other."
Some time ago they told me that they love each other.
I believe it.
And they are still doing it.

(good on them, I say)
 
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