INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ENGLISH

For all the curious students out there:

 

1. The most common vowel in English is "e", followed by "a".
2. The most common consonant in English is "r", followed by "t".
3. Every syllable in English must have a vowel (sound). Not all syllables have consonants.
4. Only two English words in current use end in "-gry". They are "angry" and "hungry".
5. The word "bookkeeper" (along with its associate "bookkeeping") is the only unhyphenated English word with three consecutive double letters. Other such words, like "sweet-toothed", require a hyphen to be readily readable.
6. The word "triskaidekaphobia" means "extreme fear of the number 13". This superstition is related to "paraskevidekatriaphobia", which means "fear of Friday the 13th".
7. More English words begin with the letter "s" than with any other letter.
8. A preposition is always followed by a noun (ie noun, proper noun, pronoun, noun group, gerund).
9. The word "uncopyrightable" is the longest English word in normal use that contains no letter more than once.

http://www.englishclub.com/interesting-facts/

Conversation Behavior

Speaking English is not only about using proper grammar. To use English effectively, you need to understand the culture in which it is spoken. Here are some important tips to remember when speaking English in the United States.

Addressing People

·         Use last names with people you do not know: Address people using their title (Mr, Ms, Dr) and their last names.

·         Always use "Ms" when addressing women: It is important to use "Ms" when addressing a woman. Only use "Mrs" when the woman has asked you to do so!

·         Many Americans prefer first names: Americans often prefer using first names, even when dealing with people in very different positions. Americans will generally say, "Call me Tom." and then expect you to remain on a first name basis.

·         Americans prefer informal: In general, Americans prefer informal greetings and using first names or nicknames when speaking with colleagues and acquaintances.

Public Behavior

·         Always shake hands: Americans shake hands when greeting each other. This is true for both men and women. Other forms of greeting such as kissing on the cheeks, etc., are generally not appreciated.

·         Look your partner in the eye: Americans look each other in the eyes when they are speaking as a way of showing that they are sincere.

·         Don't hold hands: Same sex friends do not usually hold hands or put their arms around each other in public in the United States.

·         Smoking is Out!!: Smoking, even in public places, is strongly disapproved of by most Americans in the modern United States.

http://esl.about.com/od/britishamerican/a/american_english.htm

Women's Day

In honor of the International Women's Day, I've selected some quotations for you:

·           Gandhi
Woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacity.

·            Farrah Fawcett
God gave women intuition and femininity. Used properly, the combination easily jumbles the brain of any man I've ever met.

·            Harriet Beecher Stowe
Women are the real architects of society.

·            Charles Malik
The fastest way to change society is to mobilize the women of the world.

·            Faith Whittlesey
Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels.

·            Barbara Bush
Somewhere out in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow in my footsteps, and preside over the White House as the President's spouse. I wish him well!

·            Timothy Leary
Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition. (I loved this one!)

·            Philip Moeller
Women are seldom silent. Their beauty is forever speaking for them.

·            Margaret Sanger
A free race cannot be born of slave mothers.

·            Mel Gibson
I love women. They're the best thing ever created. If they want to be like men and come down to our level, that's fine.

·            Joseph Conrad
Being a woman is a terribly difficult task, since it consists principally in dealing with men.

·            Margaret Thatcher
If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.

 I hope you liked them! Happy Women's Day!

·        

Oscars 2013

História do Oscar

O Oscar é o mais conhecido e cobiçado prêmio do cinema hollywoodiano. Oferecido anualmente pela Academia de Artes e Ciências Cinematográficas (no original: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ou AMPAS) desde 1929, o prêmio foi uma idéia de Louis B. Mayer, chefe do estúdio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). No primeiro ano, os ganhadores do troféu iam para a noite de cerimônias já sabendo quem tinha ganhado em cada categoria. Depois, a Academia passou a liberar os vencedores para a imprensa, que poderia estampar suas manchetes na manhã seguinte. Mas tudo mudou depois que o Los Angeles Times publicou a lista antes da premiação, estragando as surpresas. E assim, desde 1941, os envelopes são abertos apenas na cerimônia de entrega dos prêmios.

http://omelete.uol.com.br/oscar/

Here are the nominees for Best Picture 2013:

Amour

Argo

Beasts of the Southern Wild (Indomável Sonhadora)

Django Unchained

Les Misérables

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Silver Linings Playbook (O Lado Bom da Vida)

Zero Dark Thirty

Poem : New Beginnings

Brazilians say that the year begins officially only after carnival.
Well, here is a poem for a reflection about beginnings:

New beginnings

By Francis Jock

A new beginning is something we need once in awhile,
To make fresh start and wear a broad smile.
To forgive and forget is not quite the same,
As starting again with a mundane new name.

A change of the air, a place left unseen,
Perhaps a new face, not of a beauty queen.
A new house and a home, where no one cares
Who I am or once was, or the name that I bear.

Just over that mountain and across the sea,
Is where I'll find a new beginning for me.
In a land far away, in a port left alone,
I'll set up my shop and have a new home.

Tho' birthdays and holidays may come to pass,
Forgotten I'll be, no one's calling at last.
I can sleep in peace, not a wink will be lost,
On pillows so sweet, downy and soft.

Let me find this place where beginnings begin,
And yesterday's sorrows aren't welcome within.
A place that's secret and sunny and fair,
Oh, how I wish I could always be there.

But tomorrow will come and my life's incomplete,
Without fans and cameras and pundits replete.
I guess I'll get dressed and head down the stairs,
To see what today awaits me there.

Beginnings will come and beginnings will go,
Today I'll dance, tomorrow I'll stroll.
And every morning I'll say a short prayer,
New beginnings and tomorrows will always be there.

http://www.helium.com/items/2023205-poem-new-beginnings-a-fresh-start

Crazy English

Christmas in the USA

The United States has such a diversity of cultures and traditions, it is actually quite difficult to say what is uniquely American. Many of the Christmas holiday activities vary from family to family and often depend on the cultural heritage of the family members. A typical Christmas celebration in America mix Irish, Austrian, Polish and Belgian traditions into something that is its own. 

Notwithstanding the variety of cultures and nationalities, there is an 'ideal' Christmas tradition which seems to be accepted by many is that Christmas is a family time with a great deal of travel happening over the holidays. The differing climates of the United States also have an influence on what happens at Christmas time. For some places the idea of a Christmas with a sparkling blanket of snow is perfect, for some planning to spend the day at the beach is ideal while some look forward to warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. 

The Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree plays an important part in the holiday tradition. Often times it is topped by a star to represent the Star of Bethlehem, or by an angel which announces the birth of Christ. Many family trees have ornaments from more than one generation. Often times the heritage of the families are represented by the kind of decorations on the trees. Lights are a must and the more the better. The tree is often placed so that it can be viewed by passers-by in the street. Many living or family rooms are on the street-side in American homes. 

Decorations
Many families also decorate outside of the home with regional traditions and according to the weather. Some form of lighting are often used on the homes and in the yards during the holidays. There are snowmen, Santas, manger scenes, snowflakes, reindeer, and other lighted displays in many neighborhoods. Others outline the architectural features of their homes in lights. There is sometimes a creche placed that represents the stable wherein the Christ child was born and has Mary, Joseph, the Child and various animals in attendance. 

Food
Food plays an important part in the American Christmas. It is often a time of an extended open house with friends dropping by to bring gifts or just to wish everyone a happy holiday. At this time it is appropriate to offer these guests food and beverage, so many homes have a variety of treats prepared in advance for these occasions. Although many families serve a variety of menus for Christmas dinner, the standard fare seems to include turkey, dressing, potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables, a salad and some sort of dessert. 

Churches
Various churches play an important part in the American Christmas. Many families feel that it is important to go to church on Christmas. There are also a variety of associated activities such as church dinners, live Nativity scenes, choir concerts, special church services, and a fostering of the spirit of giving to those less fortunate.

Source:
http://www.happywink.org/christmas-day/christmas-in-america.html