Angry with or angry at? It’s quite simple, and should be used as follows: one is angry with people, and angry at anything else.
N.B. These are reminders to myself, and are not a call to humanity for a better world. Although…
Category Archives: The Word
Bursar, Purser And Treasurer Conundrum
During my 38 years on this earth I have never spent time cogitating the difference between “bursar”, “purser” and “treasurer”. Now, thanks to yourDictionary, I need never do so:
The treasurer of a college or university is often called a “bursar” while the person with the same job on a vessel (air or sea) is a purser. Everywhere else the function is simply that of a treasurer.
A Few Things To Say
Well, I’ve been speaking for what seems like an eternity now. I can’t even remember the first words I spoke, but I’m quite happy to speak both English and Swedish, often confusing the two languages; it doesn’t seem to matter: Mum and Dad understand me, and that’s all that counts for the moment.
Dad thinks it’s quite cute when I try to pronounce the fruit/vegetable, motato. No, wait, I mean motat…mot…piss-holes! Why he has this notion I know not, and he is far from innocent, himself. Between you and me, Dad used to say “par-cark” (hehe).
Another “big” event for the parents is that today I’ve started to say “Yes”, whereas before I’d always reply with the Swedish “Ja”. I can’t see what the fuss is all about. “Yes” is hardly pushing my neurons, and yet I said “radiator” months ago.
I’m still getting to grips with what makes my Mum and Dad happy.
A Common Language
The last few evenings have been spent changing the random blog description. I’d previously had a number of famous quotes that would randomly appear every time the front page was accessed, but couldn’t find enough of them. There is, however, an endless stream of difficult, strange and obscure words from the English language, and the hope is I shall learn a few of them this way.
As I looked for said words, I came across a couple that were similar in pronunciation and meaning in Swedish, which reminded me of others I have learnt through my etymological meanderings. For my own interest, these are:
yenta: someone, normally a woman, who spreads rumours – jänta: (girl)
gravid: carrying developing young or eggs – gravid: pregnant
avgas: aviation gasoline – avgas: exhaust fumes
screeve: write – skriv: write
claque: a group of persons hired to applaud at a performance – klack: in football etc supporters
All of thes above words are more commonly heard in the Swedish language than English, and most come from other languages themselves, so It’s perhaps not so surprising that they exist. But still, eh?
A Change In Teaching
I’ve been having problems with the youngest of classes, the six year-olds, since the beginning of the school year. It has been quite arduous trying to keep control during the lessons, with a few (mainly) boys thinking it far more enjoyable to do as they wish.
Really, I should not be alone with them. Not because they are a danger to my life, but because there quite simply is not enough Jon to go around. It is a tall order to expect one person to look after fifteen or so children, especially when one considers that there are two class-teachers at other times.
I decided a while ago to change my teaching methods, and ordered some new material, which comprised of a fox hand-puppet and accompanying book. Today was Freddy’s introduction to the class, with reasonable results.
For the first five minutes the children sat transfixed to Freddy, as he appeared from his box. Things only started to disintigrate when Freddy asked everyone what their names were, always a bad moment when the children have to wait their turn.
Still, the lesson went off with no real major problems, and the kids were more than willing to attempt to speak (and listen to) English, since that is the only language Freddy understands. In fact, I’m eager to see how this year develops. The English that is taught now with such small children will/should have immeasurable effects in the forthcoming school-years.