Ducks and Geese

Ducks and Geese

 

NOTE: Business English etc.
can be found below the translation exercises.

Translate the Text into English: Übersetzen:

Susann, Andreas, Nadine, Heike, Reiner, and Simone.

Geschwister

Ich koche gern, aber ich habe keine Freizeit.

Die Frau feiert ihren Geburtstag im Park.

Meine Oma trifft ihren Bruder im Restaurant.

Ich habe drei Geschwister und sie sind reich.

Warum sind deine Geschwister so jung und reich?

My brother has a Turtle (Meeresschildkröte)/ Tortoise. (land) It must mean a Tortoise, as it would be impossible to have a Turtle as a pet, unless they mean the small ones, e.g. an orange-eared Turtle.

Mein Bruder hat eine Schildkröte.

Meine Oma spielt Gitarre und sie liebt ihre Band.

Meine Frau ist Ärztin und sie hat keine Freizeit.

Meine Schildkröte braucht keine Freizeit.

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English – English – English – English – English – English – English

 

Business English Word of the Week:

Geschäftsenglisch Wort der Woche:

A business word/phrase = A detrimental effect on – schädliche Wirkung.

Sample Sentence:

“The cost of crude oil has had a detrimental effect on how we do business.”

 

Law English Word of the Week:

Gesetz Englisches Wort der Woche:

A law word/phrase = to commit perjury means lying.

Perjury, the crime of lying under oath, is a serious offence because it can derail the basic goal of the justice system—discovering the truth. Even the famous and the powerful have faced the consequences of perjury, which include prosecution, prison, and impeachment.

Consequences of Signing an Affidavit:

If you provide information that is false or lie on the affidavit, you could be fined for perjury. Penalties may include monetary fines, community service, and even imprisonment. The punishment and the severity of the punishment may vary.

 

Vocabulary for Contracts:

Wortschatz für Verträge:

A word/phrase for contracts = DWI

“Driving While Intoxicated.” The term refers to the offence of driving a vehicle after consuming alcohol, over the limit of alcohol – some countries have a “Zero Limit”.

The slang term for this is drunk driving (U.S.) or drink driving (U.K.).

Sample Sentence.

He lost his license after he got a DWI.

 

Vocabulary for Negotiations:

Wortschatz für Verhandlungen:

A word/phrase for negotiations = “To start the ball rolling“

means to begin an activity, process, or conversation, often by being the first person to act or speak to encourage others to join in. It’s an idiom for initiating something and setting things in motion, such as starting a project or getting a meeting to begin.

• To initiate an activity: You might start a project by making the first move or taking a specific action.

• To start a conversation: In a meeting, asking the first question or bringing up the first topic can “start the ball rolling“.

• To encourage others: It can be a deliberate action to make it easier for others to participate, like a senior person suggesting a “crazy idea” so others feel less intimidated.

Sample Sentence:

“OK, now is the time to start to bid, so who’s going to start the ball rolling?”

English – English – English – English – English – English – English

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Word of the day: Wort des Tages:

To renovate, German ‘renovieren’ is almost the same word.

Sample Sentence:

“We still have to renovate our old house before we can move to our new one.”

 

Phrase of the day: Satz des Tages:

The phrase “there’s always someone else worse off than you” is a perspective tool used to promote gratitude and put your own problems in context. While it can be helpful for shifting your mindset away from negativity, it can also be invalidating and dismissive if used to shut down someone’s feelings or as a substitute for genuine support. It’s a double-edged sword: it can offer comfort through perspective, but it can also invalidate personal struggles and discourage seeking help.

Potential benefits of the phrase:

• Provides perspective: It can help you recognise and appreciate what you have, making you feel more grateful for your circumstances.

• Reduces feelings of isolation: Knowing that others also face hardships can make you feel less alone in your struggles.

• Offers a mental “reset“: It can be a quick way to pull yourself out of being a bit depressed or feeling sorry for yourself by reminding you that things could be worse.

 

Potential downsides and criticisms:

• Can be invalidating: Telling someone to think of those “worse off” can invalidate their pain and make them feel like their feelings are unimportant or a burden.

• Discourages emotional expression: It can be used to shut down a conversation about problems, implying that the person shouldn’t complain because their issues aren’t as “bad” as others’.

• Doesn’t solve the problem: It doesn’t actually help you or the other person; it just redirects attention and can prevent you from dealing with your own valid issues.

• Unhelpful for mental health: It can be damaging to people with depression or other mental health conditions, reinforcing the idea that their pain is a personal failing and they don’t have a right to seek help.

Idiom of the day: Redewendung des Tages:

The phrase “They were done up to the nines” means they were dressed in very stylish, smart, or formal clothes for a special occasion. It suggests they were dressed to the highest possible degree of fashion and elegance.

• Meaning: The idiom signifies being dressed perfectly, looking one’s best, or wearing very fashionable attire.

• Context: It is typically used for an event or occasion that calls for a high level of formality or style.

Sample Sentence:

“Sophia was there, all dressed up to the nines.” This means Sophia was wearing very smart and elegant clothes.

 

British English / American English Vocabulary:

Britisches Englisch / Amerikanisches Englisch Wortschatz:

British English (B.E.) = Level crossing

American English (A.E.) = Grade crossing

NOTE: German = der Bahnübergang.

 

Special Grammar Tip of the Week:

Spezieller Grammatik-Tipp der Woche:

Upgrade Words:

About = Around, Approximately, Roughly, Nearly.

 

Pronunciation Tip: Aussprachetipp:

Fair / fare are pronounced in the same way.

 = a Trade Fair = trade between companies in developed countries and producers in developing countries, in which fair prices are paid to the producers.

British English – noun: a fun-fair – a fair consisting of rides, sideshows, and other amusements.

“A travelling funfair set up every year in Munich for the Oktoberfest.”

Noun – a/the Fare = the money paid for a journey on public transport.

“I could go to Seville in Spain, but I cannot afford the airfare.”

Also means = a range of food of a particular type. “traditional Scottish fare.” Haggis and blood sausage, for example.

Verb – perform in a specified way in a particular situation or over a particular period.

“The party known as ‘Reform‘ fared badly in the local elections.”

 

False Friends Tip of the Week:

Falsche Freunde Tipp der Woche:

German                    = (Visiten) Karte, Karton

Translation              = Card

False Friend (F.F.)   = (Land) Karte

Meaning of F.F.        = Map

NOTE: the German mistake of calling a ‘map’ a ‘card’ I hear this often. I also often hear a ‘ticket’ called a ‘card’ by Germans.

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English – English – English – English – English – English – English

 

Wit, wit, wit – Education:

Witz, Witz, Witz – Ausbildung:

“I am what is called a Professor emeritus, from the Latin ‘e’ out, and meritus, ‘so he ought to be.’”

Quote by Stephen Leacock.

NOTE: Yes…. Moving swiftly on….

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English – English – English – English – English – English – English

 

Slang word of the day:

Slangwort des Tages:

Brolly – an umbrella (for rain, as a Parasol is an umbrella to keep the sunshine off you).

Sample Sentence:

“Oh, it’s raining, don’t worry, I have a Brolly in the Boot of my car.”

 

Colloquial / Colloquialisms:

Umgangssprache / Umgangssprache:

Snog (noun) To snog (verb), to have a snog.

So ‘to snog‘ is to give someone a kiss. Specifically, the kind of kiss that is not very romantic and will not be just one kiss, but several that last over some minutes.

Sample Sentence:

“Did you hear that Maria snogged Frank at the Christmas party?”

 

Cockney Rhyming Slang:

Cockney Reimender Slang:

Ducks and Geese = F–k-in’ Police.

Sample Sentence:

One thief said to another, “Oh my Lord, here come the Ducks and Geese! Quick, run away!”

NOTE: der Dieb – the thief.

 

Quote of the week: Zitat der Woche:

“I think it’s about time to announce that I was born at a very early age.” Quote by Groucho Marx.

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