isn't the english language strange
By doormouse
@doormouse (4599)
March 31, 2010 10:24am CST
i was thinking in bed last about the english language,and how strange it is,for instance some words sound the same but are spelt different,and mean different things,,also sound different and are spelt the same,but mean different things,,,i hope everyone understands what i'm going on about,coz in my head it makes sense
eg;live-to live somewhere read-to read a book
live-live wire read-i've read a book
hey-hey what are you doing
hay-what horses eat
to-i went to the shop
too-i went there too
two-number two
there are loads more,too many to mention
3 people like this
17 responses
@doormouse (4599)
•
24 May 10
that's very true,that's why the english language is one of the hardest to learn
@doormouse (4599)
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1 Apr 10
i've always wanted to learn another language,i know a bit of french but not much,i'd love to learn chinese
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
31 Mar 10
hi doormouse yes its really a strange language. point like the point of
this story, or point like point a finger, or point out the place where you used to live. motor like an engine, motor like a car, way like this is the way to do that, or way, meaning a walk way or road way.also a sou nd alike weigh meaning to find out how heavy you are or again wei the pros and cons of this, life meaning a span of years, life like this author brings the story to life, different yet similar useages.
the word defense meaning protect against, or defense as in the defense attorney said his client is not guilty. or store meaning a place that sells things or to store meaning to put things away in a closet or similar place. my brains run out so thats all for now.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
31 Mar 10
typo alert wei should be weigh sorry about that I missed it.
@machivado (528)
• Indonesia
1 Apr 10
I believe it's called homophone..they may sound the same but actually has different phrase...But regardless of that, my cousins said to me that they are all different in sounding as well. But I guess it takes a lot of practice to be able to pronounce them correctly so people may notice the difference..
@doormouse (4599)
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1 Apr 10
i know some are different in sounding but i don't think all are,eg; wood-would,hare-hair
@arreolabryan (856)
• Philippines
31 Mar 10
I guess many languages are like that. Chinese has something like that. Sometimes people just say it at a wrong way. So it will seem the same.
@dianagnes (1088)
• Singapore
1 Apr 10
Its not that strange,its just that the language is unique by itself.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
31 Mar 10
Yes, English is hard, I heard one of the hardest to learn because of this. But I can't learn a new language myself, because in other languages, they place their noun and verbs differently confusing me..
@doormouse (4599)
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31 Mar 10
i'm from the uk and i still get confused by our language,so you're not the only one that gets confused
@jugsjugs (12967)
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1 Apr 10
There and their are the best ones for children i think as there are alot of children that never get explained what the words mean let alone how to use the words.The to and the too is a good one aswell i think.So and soo.The schools are now letting children write the words the way they sound so i found out when my son came home the other day and his work was ticked,you have children have you had a look to see.I have also seen work in a primary school where it has been up on the wall for all to see and there are loads of what we call basic spelling mistakes,yet in a childs eyes that is how it is spelt.Know,no,noo.knew,new.
@doormouse (4599)
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1 Apr 10
i know what you mean about the way kids are taught these days,my son really struggles with his school work due to phonetics,,great reply jugs
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
31 Mar 10
yeah it is kinda strange. when i was learning english back in middle school, i was always confused with 'they're' and 'their'. i misuse these words most of the time. lol. i wanna add something to your confusion. the word 'dream' as in dream -- what we do when we sleep. and dream -- i dream of being a pilot someday.
@doormouse (4599)
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31 Mar 10
there and their,they're is to words put together but shortened,sorry if that sounds patronizing,it wasn't meant to,,wood-would,,bare-bear,,mat-matt,,be-bee,,tee-tea,,,whoopeee i'm on a roll ladies and gentlemen
@Lcrkar05 (344)
• United States
13 Apr 10
I know what you mean. Sometimes I know I have trouble deciding what spelling to use on certain words. I also I always wondered about some of the spells of words. Like why is there a b in thumb and why is there a k in knife and knight. The english languauge is confusing and hard to learn especially when your trying to grammatically correction.
@Naxous (973)
• India
31 Mar 10
Hi friend yeah I agree with you that in English there are many words that are similar inb spelling but conveys different meaning..however I do believe that similarly in almost all other languages the problem is the same..also in English if you pay proper attention then you will be able to differentiate the spelling of the words as they are used in the context of a sentence..like to is pronounced differently than too and two is used in a different context from to or too and similar are the case with other words isn't it?
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
3 Apr 10
Hello friend
I agree with you. But in our language Oriya and hindi you will find words that if pronounced with different accent will have totally different meanings, each language has its unique features
Thanks for this post, cheers
Prof
@jiraiyasanin (642)
• Philippines
9 Apr 10
yes your right english language is really is strange but you when you have enough education and you really study our international language you will discover why is it like that, although me i really never know why is it like that, but try to read dictionary and look for entomology there you will know why is it spell like that and almost the same as the other word