We learn from our mistakes.
Everyone who has learned a another language knows that it comes in a series of peaks and plateaus. Although I have made some progress here in my German (mostly due to the unofficial lessons from my partner’s father), there is still a lot that I have to learn. Not to mention the basic stuff that I still struggle with; Satzbau (sentence structure) and using the cases correctly in complex sentences. Although I am able to teach these items to my English classes, it remains a point of weakness in my own German learning.
My partner has recently been frustrated by the common errors that I continue to make, and he will interrupt me mid-sentence to not only correct the error, but also to lecture me on the correct use. When I get frustrated at the frequent interruptions, I often switch back to English or stop speaking altogether. Then he gets mad and accuses me of not trying to learn or not speaking enough German with him. It is circular and often results in stupid arguments.
I have tried to explain that I appreciate the corrections, but also learn best when allowed to make the errors. I often detect that I am wrong and try to repeat. Or even better is when the person I am speaking to rephrases what I said in the correct way. I find that kind of exposure, something I do as a teacher, really works for me.
Unfortunately, my partner fixates on the fact that I get frustrated despite his effort to try to help me improve. He finds it “lächerlich,” or ridiculous.
You would think that as someone who had to learn English, he might understand, but then again, he has had his lifetime and numerous experiences to perfect it.
I’m going to sleep off my frustration and hope that it clicks for him overnight. If not, well, I need to just wait for him to come to a realization as I continue to make an effort to learn. He usually does wise up on his own after a while.
A light warning to all who enter the Phantom's domain
An overused starter: a girl wondering into the Phantom’s opera house, finding him, then not understanding why he’s upset with her.
Allow me, the writer, to provide some illumination on the subject: your character is trespassing! Did you expect him to be waiting for you with a dozen roses? Enchanted by the fact you’ve miraculously evaded his security system, locks, and booby traps?
Also: the theater is not abandoned. I don’t know where this notion keeps coming from. It’s very much alive, with lit signs, posters, billboards, and open box offices. Just like any other theater in New York City. Therefore, unless your character is Helen Keller, it seems rather illogical to me that they could somehow have broke into the opera house without realizing it was alive and well.
So, quick recap:
- If you trespass, don’t expect the Phantom to be too friendly. In fact, he’ll probably try to kill you.
- The theater isn’t abandoned, nor does it appear to be
Thanks all for reading and happy roleplaying!
Note: Regarding the Phantom calling his anons "Sir"
In the time the Phantom is from, the singular form that was accurate if one did not know whom they were speaking to was male. The masculine pronoun was dominant in all situations, Still is in the French language, actually. So that’s carrying over into my roleplaying.
Therefore, it’s not a sign of disrespect if you’re anon and he calls you sir. I don’t know why people seem upset by this at all, really, considering it’s your choice to go on anonymous and therefore conceal your identity… I can’t possible know what gender you are. So, keeping with the mentality at the time, the Phantom will assume he’s speaking to men.
Thank you for your time and understanding in helping me achieve my realism.
~O.G.
EnglCom Video
youtube.comThis video captures most of the grammatical errors Filipinos make. There are brief explanations on why they are wrong.
Acceptance is the first step to growth! So, rather than we debate whether you’re right and we are wrong, we should accept our own faults and be open with corrections.
So please do enjoy and I hope you will realize something from this.
AKO'Y LOWBATT
*bow*
Isa sa mga pinakacommon na mistakes ng mga Pilipino kapag namatayan sila ng cellphone. Halimbawa na lang, magtatanong yung magulang sa anak kung ba’t di siya matawagan; ang isasagot ng anak ay ‘Nalowbatt kasi ako!’ imbis na na-empty batt. ANG CELLPHONE KO (at hindi ako).
Tama naman di ba? Phew.
ooc: [Please Read]
I appreciate the fans, but if I make an open starter in the future I’d appreciate if people did not reblog it simply for the sake of reblogging.
When people see someone has already reblogged an open starter, they often do not reply to it themselves, and therefore when personal blogs reblog it, I lose the opportunity to actually use that starter I put the time into making.
So, as much as I know your hearts are in the right places, madames and monsieurs, please find other ways of showing your affection, if you would be so kind.
Sincerely,
-O.G.
