What do you find most difficult about English?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the complexities of the English language, particularly for non-native speakers. Participants highlight challenges such as the varied meanings of the word "over," the distinctions between "to," "too," and "two," and the nuances of phrases like "talking to," "talking with," and "talking at." Additionally, the conversation touches on the historical evolution of English, influenced by multiple languages, and the difficulties in pronunciation and grammar that learners face.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of English grammar rules
  • Familiarity with common English phrases and their meanings
  • Basic knowledge of language evolution and influences
  • Awareness of pronunciation challenges in English
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the historical influences on the English language
  • Study the differences between American and British English
  • Learn about common English idioms and their usage
  • Explore resources for improving English pronunciation
USEFUL FOR

Non-native English speakers, language learners, educators, and anyone interested in the intricacies of English grammar and pronunciation.

  • #61
D H said:
Talking at, exemplified. "I am not a robot. I am a unicorn."



Ok, you guys do realize cleverbot is not actually an AI. This is the internet's greatest troll ever. It is a chat that randomly hooks you up with other cleverbot users and frequently switches the user you're talking to.
 
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  • #62
Borek said:
I may have problems posting a link to a study, especially one in English, but as far as I know it is true. Problem is, English is not transparent - that is, there is no easy and simple dependence between spelling and pronunciation. In general, the more transparent the language is, the easier it is for dyslexics - that's why dyslexia is a serious problem in English speaking countries (and Poland!), but is much less of a problem in places like Italy and Spain.
Then French is a nightmare.
 
  • #64
Evo said:
I think the US misdiagnoses dyslexia more than any other country. A big scam here is getting your doctor to give you a note saying you are dyslexic in order to have more hours to complete the SAT, there was a thread here about it.

As if it was different here :frown:

I know of school heads who force their personnel to test children for dyslexia, so that they will have more time to write exams - in hope that will make school look better. And we are talking about kids in Polish primary school, up to 12 yo. What do we teach them?
 
  • #66
Build vs built is still a major problem for me, so I tend to avoid it.

I never had a knack for languages, and one of my kids is dyslexic, so I guess it's in my genes.
 

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