On 6-12-2017 9:03, Thomas de Groot wrote:
[snip]
> I am not familiar with American school education systems, but from my 
> own experience in Europe, I disagree on most points and provide marginal 
> notes for the others. ;-)
> 

I have one caveat to make: when I speak of /Europe/, this excludes the 
UK of course :-)

However, on the serious side, I believe the UK has a school system 
different from the rest of Europe, so comparisons are hard to make.

-- 
Thomas

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On 06/12/2017 09:05, Thomas de Groot wrote:
> On 6-12-2017 9:03, Thomas de Groot wrote:
> [snip]
>> I am not familiar with American school education systems, but from my 
>> own experience in Europe, I disagree on most points and provide 
>> marginal notes for the others. ;-)
>>
> 
> I have one caveat to make: when I speak of /Europe/, this excludes the 
> UK of course :-)
> 

I knew it! It's the "tall poppy syndrome" ;-)


-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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Stephen <mca### [at] aolcom> wrote:
> On 06/12/2017 08:03, Thomas de Groot wrote:

> > LOL. Not being a native speaker, I have a hard time to formulate them in
> > such a way that it may puzzle you... ;-)

No - your English (British, American, or otherwise) is excellent, and probably
exceeds the level of mastery of most of the semi-erect hominids that occupy
space on the North American continent.
In my experience, most of the multi-lingual people I have met have a much
greater understanding of the English language than I probably do.
First, they've had to _study_ it, and that's a lot different from "learning" it
by immersion.
Second, they have one or two other languages that they know and have studied,
which gives them much more context and scope.
Their knowledge of the grammar and mechanics is typically superior, and they
have a different vocabulary usage.

I suppose it must be similar to people's comments on my German - it's "high"
German rather than colloquial, or "blue" German.  (or at least it _was_ - I
haven't had much opportunity to exercise it)

(Many others have commented on the English use of "the".  They add it where it
seems odd, and don't use it where it's probably expected.  One fellow is beside
himself every time someone says "THE Ukraine".  )

> English isn't a very good language to describe such things. You need to
> use clauses and sub clause that exceeds common usage. Making the
> statements hard to read without deliberately parsing it.

German has always seemed to be a much better language with which to express
ideas clearly and accurately.  I can't speak for any others, although I strongly
suspect Mandarin, Cantonese, and Japanese may be excellent as well.


> If I understand the sentence below. The only change I would make is:
>
> of one addition *operation*, per point if the...
>
>
> >>
> >> I think it's something that would save the time of one addition per
> >> point if the
> >> number of points to be plotted exceeded the number of entries in the
> >> array, and
> >> it would prevent overlap of objects slightly differing in position for
> >> the same
> >> array entry.

Well, the only problem I have there, is that one might wonder if the author
mis-typed "one additionAL operation" and thus try to re-read it...
Perhaps "one vector addition" might be clearer (more clear?)  ugh.

> > Still something I am not sure about, but I shall try.

I meant that that's what you're already doing.




If you agree with 1 and 3, then HOW do you not see how #2 is a direct result?

Sometimes you bewilder me, Stephen.
But I do strongly suspect that we'd have a great time arguing with each other
over copious (excessive?) quantities of excellent Scotch, etc.

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On 06/12/2017 15:31, Bald Eagle wrote:
> Stephen <mca### [at] aolcom> wrote:
>> On 06/12/2017 08:03, Thomas de Groot wrote:
> 
>>> LOL. Not being a native speaker, I have a hard time to formulate them in
>>> such a way that it may puzzle you... ;-)
> 
> No - your English (British, American, or otherwise) is excellent, and probably
> exceeds the level of mastery of most of the semi-erect hominids that occupy
> space on the North American continent.

Well Nederlanders are born speaking at least four languages, or so I 
suspect. ;)


> In my experience, most of the multi-lingual people I have met have a much
> greater understanding of the English language than I probably do.
> First, they've had to _study_ it, and that's a lot different from "learning" it
> by immersion.
> Second, they have one or two other languages that they know and have studied,
> which gives them much more context and scope.
> Their knowledge of the grammar and mechanics is typically superior, and they
> have a different vocabulary usage.
> 

I agree. When I was in primary/elementary school we were taught the 
basics and how to parse sentences. I don't think that is done here any more.

> I suppose it must be similar to people's comments on my German - it's "high"
> German rather than colloquial, or "blue" German.  (or at least it _was_ - I
> haven't had much opportunity to exercise it)
> 
> (Many others have commented on the English use of "the".  They add it where it
> seems odd, and don't use it where it's probably expected.  One fellow is beside
> himself every time someone says "THE Ukraine".  )
> 

I'm guilty of over using the definitive article.

>> English isn't a very good language to describe such things. You need to
>> use clauses and sub clause that exceeds common usage. Making the
>> statements hard to read without deliberately parsing it.
> 
> German has always seemed to be a much better language with which to express
> ideas clearly and accurately.  I can't speak for any others, although I strongly
> suspect Mandarin, Cantonese, and Japanese may be excellent as well.
> 
> 
>> If I understand the sentence below. The only change I would make is:
>>
>> of one addition *operation*, per point if the...
>>
>>
>>>>
>>>> I think it's something that would save the time of one addition per
>>>> point if the
>>>> number of points to be plotted exceeded the number of entries in the
>>>> array, and
>>>> it would prevent overlap of objects slightly differing in position for
>>>> the same
>>>> array entry.
> 
> Well, the only problem I have there, is that one might wonder if the author
> mis-typed "one additionAL operation" and thus try to re-read it...
> Perhaps "one vector addition" might be clearer (more clear?)  ugh.
> 

That would be a better way, I think.

>>> Still something I am not sure about, but I shall try.
> 
> I meant that that's what you're already doing.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> If you agree with 1 and 3, then HOW do you not see how #2 is a direct result?
> 

I think 1 and 3 are true but wish they weren't.

If you reversed the subject and object I would agree.


> Sometimes you bewilder me, Stephen.

Join the rest of the world. ;)

> But I do strongly suspect that we'd have a great time arguing with each other

No we wouldn't. Where I'm from talking about religion or politics is 
taboo. Too easy to start a war.

> over copious (excessive?) quantities of excellent Scotch, etc.
> 

1/ What do you mean by excessive? ;)

2/ If you can put up with my low taste in whisky (The famous Grouse) I 
would certainly split a bottle with you. I would even drink your Sipping 
Whiskey and enjoy the education. :D


-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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On 06/12/2017 17:06, Stephen wrote:
> I'm guilty of over using the definitive article.

Oops! definite article.

-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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Stephen <mca### [at] aolcom> wrote:

> No we wouldn't. Where I'm from talking about religion or politics is
> taboo. Too easy to start a war.

I live in a country that's been at war since April 19, 1775.
Unfortunately no one one took Khruschchev or Cicero seriously, and the enemy is
at, and inside the gates.

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2015/02/america-war-93-time-222-239-years-since-1776.html


> > over copious (excessive?) quantities of excellent Scotch, etc.
> >
>
> 1/ What do you mean by excessive? ;)

I'm not sure - it's an interesting word I thought I'd try out.
Probably one of those obsolete words that died out about the time of THE
Thesaurus.

> 2/ If you can put up with my low taste in whisky (The famous Grouse) I
> would certainly split a bottle with you. I would even drink your Sipping
> Whiskey and enjoy the education. :D

I've possibly had that.
Certainly plenty that's sold en masse in plastic bottles.
It's been a while since I've had any Lagavulin or Laphroig, due the sticker
shock.
But there's no sense in being cheap during an International drinking festival
;)

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Stephen <mca### [at] aolcom> wrote:
> On 06/12/2017 17:06, Stephen wrote:
> > I'm guilty of over using the definitive article.
>
> Oops! definite article.


Now you're just dangling split definitives.

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On 06/12/2017 17:51, Bald Eagle wrote:
> Stephen <mca### [at] aolcom> wrote:
> 
>> No we wouldn't. Where I'm from talking about religion or politics is
>> taboo. Too easy to start a war.
> 
> I live in a country that's been at war since April 19, 1775.
> Unfortunately no one one took Khruschchev or Cicero seriously, and the enemy is
> at, and inside the gates.
> 
>
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2015/02/america-war-93-time-222-239-years-since-1776.html
> 

Yes, we know about that. But you are a young country and need to build 
up your history a bit. I really can't go back much before we beat off 
the Roman legions. But to be fair the Germans got two Roman Eagles to 
our one.

> 
>>> over copious (excessive?) quantities of excellent Scotch, etc.
>>>
>>
>> 1/ What do you mean by excessive? ;)
> 
> I'm not sure - it's an interesting word I thought I'd try out.
> Probably one of those obsolete words that died out about the time of THE
> Thesaurus.
> 

Well, if you don't know your limits. You had better be careful. ;)


>> 2/ If you can put up with my low taste in whisky (The famous Grouse) I
>> would certainly split a bottle with you. I would even drink your Sipping
>> Whiskey and enjoy the education. :D
> 
> I've possibly had that.
> Certainly plenty that's sold en masse in plastic bottles.

I'm not much of a snob but even I draw the line at drinking out of a 
brown paper bag or a plastic bottle. :P


> It's been a while since I've had any Lagavulin or Laphroig, due the sticker
> shock.

Never touch the stuff. The smell makes me boak. I only drink Speyside 
whisky.


> But there's no sense in being cheap during an International drinking festival
> ;)
> 

Not if it is sponsored but there is no point in drinking what other 
people say is good. Drink to your own taste, I say.




-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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On 06/12/2017 18:56, Bald Eagle wrote:
> Stephen <mca### [at] aolcom> wrote:
>> On 06/12/2017 17:06, Stephen wrote:
>>> I'm guilty of over using the definitive article.
>>
>> Oops! definite article.
> 
> 
> Now you're just dangling split definitives.
> 
> 

Groan.
In the way that, that great American film ended.
"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." :)



-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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On 6-12-2017 18:06, Stephen wrote:
> On 06/12/2017 15:31, Bald Eagle wrote:
>> Stephen <mca### [at] aolcom> wrote:
>>> On 06/12/2017 08:03, Thomas de Groot wrote:
>>
>>>> LOL. Not being a native speaker, I have a hard time to formulate 
>>>> them in
>>>> such a way that it may puzzle you... ;-)
>>
>> No - your English (British, American, or otherwise) is excellent, and 
>> probably
>> exceeds the level of mastery of most of the semi-erect hominids that 
>> occupy
>> space on the North American continent.
> 
> Well Nederlanders are born speaking at least four languages, or so I 
> suspect. ;)

Unfortunately, that is long past... :-/

[snip]


>> where it

>> is beside

>>
> 
> I'm guilty of over using the definitive article.

We all just need something to grumble about I suspect. ;-)

I don't really know about "the". I /know/ that I frown when I hear 
native speaking Dutch or French misusing their own language/grammar, 
particularly on radio or TV. In daily conversation I do not really care 
(and I am sloppy too).

> 
>>> English isn't a very good language to describe such things. You need to
>>> use clauses and sub clause that exceeds common usage. Making the
>>> statements hard to read without deliberately parsing it.
>>
>> German has always seemed to be a much better language with which to 
>> express

>> I strongly
>> suspect Mandarin, Cantonese, and Japanese may be excellent as well.
>>

My own German is abysmal, as a collateral consequence of WW2, but I 
believe you are right.

[snip]
> 
>> over copious (excessive?) quantities of excellent Scotch, etc.
>>
> 
> 1/ What do you mean by excessive? ;)

I wonder too...

> 
> 2/ If you can put up with my low taste in whisky (The famous Grouse) I 
> would certainly split a bottle with you. I would even drink your Sipping 
> Whiskey and enjoy the education. :D
> 

Nothing wrong with the Grouse...

-- 
Thomas

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