All of those make you think, don't they? My daughter-in-law is a native Russian speaker, and her English is impeccable, but occasionally she'll come across one of those and it stops her in her tracks and she has to ask what in the world does this mean?
Yes, the English Language - beautiful and puzzling at times.
It's always a challenge to us to try to figure out how to explain to her the meaning of some of those silly sayings that we have. Your English is impeccable, did you use it in your career?
I am happy to hear you say my English is impeccable, but at the same time embarrassed, because it is not. Sometimes, I get all the tenses and grammar wrong, leaving people scratching their head, wondering what I am trying to say.
English is the first language here, but most of us are far from using it with ease. Mandarin is our second language, and then we have the dialects which is our Mother tongue. So, we are able to speak a smattering of dialects and languages but not really proficient in any one of them.
I enjoy reading, and that has helped my English a lot. And blogging on Steem helps me in my writing and spelling as well.
So you grew up speaking English? Your school classes we're taught in English? I had no idea. I am a reader too and agree that reading and being here on Steem expands my education about a lot of things.
Yes, my school classes were in English. I speak dialect at home. Outside of home, I speak English, Mandarin and dialects with friends, co-workers, neighbours....
I'm always impressed with people who can speak several languages and switch between them easily!