Click here to go directly to our webpages and read the Update and other pages.
Click here to listen to and follow our podcast "Sorry! What Did You Say?" on Spotify in your browser
Hello, Friends.
We are officially into the fall or autumn season. Suddenly, temperatures have dropped and we have freeze warnings. Do you think the warm weather is over? Think again. After a couple cold nights and cooler days, temperatures will heat back up. But, before you know it, it will be cold most of the time. Yes, it is time to pull on a sweater and fashion boots.
All things pumpkin spice are back! Pumpkins and gourds are in for decorating. October brings out all the spooky decorations. Be sure to get out and see the displays! Inflatable decorations are all the rage. Traditional ghosts are back in vogue. Trunk or treat events and other parties where the kids (of all ages) can dress up and get candy or have a festival (like Boos and Brews where vendors hand out candy to kids and adults can sample the autumn flavors of beer).
Stores have Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations to buy. While it seems early, these holidays are so anticipated, and we are ready to celebrate every month now that schools are back in session and daylight is getting shorter.
Grammar in the Wild: Spotting the Exotic Conditional
It's fun how life works. Several months ago, a neighbor got close to me to ask me if I would like to sign a petition about something that I didn't understand very well. I took the petition and said I would go through it, sign it, and give it back to him. Life, kids, winter, and so on, get in the middle, resulting in forgetting about the petition, and it was never returned back.
After almost a year, I was reading some news on social media that caught me out. It was exactly the same topic as my neighbors' petition: Homes rented as Airbnb. The most funny thing is that the people who were talking about this topic, on the news, are my friends. In the speech of one of them, he was talking using the IF conditional clause. It completely blew my mind when I heard him.
As a reflection about the topic and use of the IF/WOULD conditional clause (I think that's the name of this conditional), I really appreciate seeing and listening how native Americans talk so natural using this kind of grammar. And I loved it!! Maybe, if I were read the petition for the first time, I could have given support to my friends.
This is a reminder that the things we learn at school and think of them as boring grammar are so useful in real life. So, if I were a little kid at school, I would pay more attention to my English Language Arts classes because, trust me, grammar is something you are going to use for sure. -Claudia
.jpeg)
American Language and Culture: Honorifics
Honorifics are titles that show respect or deference to others. In American English and culture we have several formal titles that are used to show respect to people. These titles are usually used with a person's last or family name. Teachers, older adults, people being honored, or customers are referred to by honorifics. Only in recent years do children use adult first names (without honorifics).
- Men are Mr. (pronounced MIS-ter) for example Mr. Manley
- Women who are married or widowed are can be Mrs. pronounced MIS-us or MIS-es). For example, Mrs. Goodwife.
- Women who are single can be Miss (pronounced as you see it). For example, Miss Young.
- Women married or unmarried can be Ms. (pronounced mizz). For example, Ms. Modern
Professions we see in common life have titles that are used with the last or family name:
- Physicians and dentists are titled Doctor. For example, Dr. Payne.
- Trainers for athletics, performance, or businesses are called coach. For example, Coach Winner
- University or college teachers are called Professor or Doctor (if he or she holds an advanced or doctoral degree). For example: Professor Noah Lott or Dr. Smarter
- A school administrator is called Principal or (Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Ms). For example, Principal Hardtime.
- Police are Officers. For example, Officer Friendly.
- Justices are referred to as Judge in and out of the courtroom: For example, Judge Fairplay.
- Clergy can be Father (if Catholic) or Pastor or Reverand (of a protestant). It has been the trend for some time that the first name is used, for example: Father John or Pastor Jim. Last names or family names are usual for Reverand Surname
A recent trend for preschool teachers is to refer to the women (regardless of their marital status) by their first name as Miss. For example, Babisit Kindly would be called Miss Babisit.
When someone wants to address another person or get their attention they will use Sir, Ma'am, or Miss.
Examples:
- Sir, you dropped your pen.
- Miss, could I have more water. (a younger woman)
- Here is your ticket, ma'am.
International Friends Meeting Notes
Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom links. Or come to Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel.
International Bible Study: Monday, 8-9:00 PM, Zoom
We discussed Numbers 13-15.
As we read and discussed these chapters we needed to be reminded that the Israelites were on the brink of the Holy Land. Moses sends representatives into the land to "spy" and to discover the lay of the land. This type of covert exploration (as one translation called this event) is also known as reconnaissance. Moses is clear about what they are to look for and what to report back to the people. Numbers 13:23 tells that they found a branch with a single cluster of grapes that took two men to carry along with other delicious fruits. The report in verse 27 is that the land is "flowing with milk and honey," but the next verse tells the personal perspective that the people were giants and to be feared.
In the chapters and verses that follow we see personal perspectives override the orders. God continues to provide a means of reconciliation and atonement, but for the generation who does not believe, they will not see the promised land.
This is a great lesson in the wisdom of following directions and being frank with facts so that good decisions will be made. Even though God provides the means to reconcile, there are still consequences to be faced.
The bottom line: people don't change. We see people report a narrative and are willing to stone (kill through choose to see a situation from a personal perspective rather than relying on a larger picture.
American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM, Zoom
We explored morphology today--the study of how words are formed and how they relate to one another within a language. Understanding word roots, bases, prefixes, suffixes, families, and parts of speech help us build vocabulary and enhance fluency. We also "played with" grammar (gerunds, infinitives, participles, verb tenses, introductory elements) in meaningful conversational contexts. Continue to practice what you learn and bring questions about usage.
Exotic Grammar: Third Conditional (past unreal conditional)
We frequently use third conditional to describe a hypothetical situation-- an action that did not happen (unreal). Use the past perfect (or past progressive) tense in the if clause and a modal verb (would/could/might) and present perfect tense (have + the past participle) in the result clause. Notice the pattern:
- If it had rained yesterday, we wouldn't have gone to the zoo. (But it didn't rain, and we did go to the zoo.)
- If I hadn't become a teacher, I would have studied global languages. (I did become a teacher, and I didn't study global languages.)
- If they hadn't gone on a blind date, they wouldn't have gotten married eventually. (We did go on a blind date, and we did get married.
- If he had run faster, he might have won the race. (He didn't run fast. He did not win.)
October 22: We are continuing our Exotic Grammar deep dive study.
Complete the Third Conditional Grammar Worksheet on our Homework and Notes page. Bring your questions.
Use third conditional to write 5-7 sentences about your own regrets or circumstances using third conditional.
- Regret: If I hadn't moved out of state, I could have taken care of my mother when she was ill.
- Benefit: If we hadn't moved to Maryland, I would have missed making dear friends, teaching international students, and touring the D.C. area.
American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 7:00-8:30 PM, Room 102, Cornerstone Lutheran Church-Carmel
We discussed conditionals. We worked on pronunciation of words like feel, fail, fell. Our boards for the last few weeks are in the Handouts and Notes.
October 22: For our next meeting, chit chat with strangers or people at work. Talk about the weather. Complement their clothing. Ask if they had a good weekend. Be sure to smile. If they frown, smile and repeat your question or statement. Remember, people can be surprised if you suddenly ask them a question. Be sure to end with a friendly good bye and "I hope you have a nice day."
American English for Kids: Friday, 8:00-8:30 PM, private Zoom
October 23: It is fall ya'll. Let's talk about what fall is like. Tell about fall festivals and activities where you live. Tell if things are different now than when you were younger.
No comments:
Post a Comment