English is a funny subject, easy to learn but not easy to master. There are many rules with equally many exceptions . Eg I was helping my son with his spelling and told him the rule of "I" before "E" except after "C" - Yes, that applies for words like "Receive" but how do you explain ancient to him? When do the exceptions apply??
But I guess exposure to the language will help you learn faster, and the best way would be through reading and listening.
And with children you really have to watch what they read, coz they are not gonna be learning much English if all they read are signs like those below!!
Have a great weekend ahead, and Happy Deepavali!
Did I read that sign right?
TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW
In a Laundromat:
AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT
In a Memphis department store:
BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS
In an office:
WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN
In an office:
AFTER COFFEE BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE COFFEE POT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD
Outside a secondhand shop:
WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?
Notice in health food shop window:
CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS
Spotted in a safari park:
ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR
Seen during a conference:
FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR
Notice in a farmer's field:
THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.
Message on a leaflet:
IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS
On a repair shop door:
WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)
6 comments:
haha, yes, english is tricky, but that's the beauty of the lang (not so predictable), and wasn't it not so long ago when our kids knew to apply the plural rules to come up with "mouses" and "gooses" and "deers"... but how do we "fault" them on those? ;p
oh yes, bp! Those plural problems we frequently run into as well as the tenses - sink sank sunk, ? Lil D is all confused, and I dont blame her. She likes to say she "Swimmed"!!
Haha.. these are not too bad, as compared to English signboards in China. Totally "no eye see"! :D
Hey, hey, you get this comment? Me have been trying to access your site but quite unsuccessful. Just managed to hack this in. Hope this reaches you! =(
Hey Jomel
Those China ones are really hilarious!!
Hi Stardust
Receiving you loud and clear!!
Hey, hey! Here at last, crashing no walls. HAHAHAHAH! Wah, too excited!
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