Then and Than?!

[ncc1701]

I'm so glad we have some Swedes hanging around the forums! Alexander, Lydia - sorry if I've missed anyone else. I spent a year on Åland (technically Finland, I know, but the language and culture are Swedish) and loved it.Swedish is the greatest language there is. Not only is it amazingly EASY (especially compared to English), it's totally FUN to speak. Just one example of how much simpler it is - those pesky conjugations:I am = Jag ärYou are = Du ärHe is = Han ärWe are = Vi ärYou (pl.) are = Ni ärThey are = De ärThere are still some things I can only express in Swedish. "Gäller" is one verb that really doesn't have an equivalent in English and I wish I could use it and people here would understand me. When you say "Det gäller," you mean something like "That'll do," or "It'll suffice," but it's just not the same.And yes, I can attest that the Norwegians are the butt of all the Swedish jokes!!!Kathleen

[k o star]

hahah! This is the funniest thread I've read so far =)

[orest]

Yes, and we have another word that is very unique. Can't be found in any other language. It's called "Lagom". Not too much, not too little. I think the English word would be average or something like that. But it don't (this is what I don't understand, how can you write it don't? shouldn't it be it doesn't?, like Michael Jackson is singing: It don't matter if you're black or white..?) mean the same thing anyway.

[k o star]

Lagom.. yea... sounds like a good name for a Heavy Metal Band... hahahah! ^_^ LagomicA! lml (+L+) lml

[drew]

An old Louisiana motorcycle racing term:"The hurrier I go, the behinder I get"

[ibanez468]

Mar 16, 2009, 2:46am, orest wrote:But it don't (this is what I don't understand, how can you write it don't? shouldn't it be it doesn't?, like Michael Jackson is singing: It don't matter if you're black or white..?) mean the same thing anyway. In your case, "doesn't" would be the proper way to say: But it "DOESN'T" mean the same thing anyway. But if you said (and it's been said many times before) "But it "don't" mean the same thing anyway", I'd still understand what you're sayin', you just would not be saying it "properly" according to the english language.I'm sure when Michael wrote the lyrics, he probably tried "doesn't" and said to himself "that 'doesn't' sound right, too many syllables". So he chose "don't" instead. I'm sure he realized that it was an improper use of the the english language, but it fit just right, and it was still passable in terms of people understanding what he's tryin' ta' say. At least that's how I see it anyway. ibanez468

[drew]

Doesn't = does notDon't = do notAt least that's how it is in Louisiana

[matthoggard]

Here's (here is) one that will surely throw anyone learning American English into a tailspin.Ive heard this everywhere in this country.Ain't. Has several meanings. Isn't (is not) " That ain't the proper way to say that"Am not " I ain't going to say it that way"Aren't ( are not) "you aint going to say it that way either"And if your ever in my neck of the woods, (my area)Ya'll: meaning you all. When speaking to 2 or more people. "how are ya'll doing"?Just a few examples of "proper" English.

[pitterpatter]

Mar 16, 2009, 6:19am, matthoggard wrote:Here's (here is) one that will surely throw anyone learning American English into a tailspin.Ive heard this everywhere in this country.Ain't. Has several meanings. Isn't (is not) " That ain't the proper way to say that"Am not " I ain't going to say it that way"Aren't ( are not) "you aint going to say it that way either"And if your ever in my neck of the woods, (my area)Ya'll: meaning you all. When speaking to 2 or more people. "how are ya'll doing"?Just a few examples of "proper" English. All Swedes need to learn this word. Amn't, as in, I amn't (am not) going to the store.

[jonathanm]

Mar 16, 2009, 6:19am, matthoggard wrote:Ya'll: meaning you all. When speaking to 2 or more people. "how are ya'll doing"?Yes, sometimes. I'm also in OKC, Matt, and some around here use "y'all" for 2nd person singular (instead of singular "you").So what's the 2nd person plural? Why it's "all y'all", of course!