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MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431
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 Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:17 am Post subject: |
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| surfguy wrote: | | ...well case in point Spice...just like the currency that Petroleum is traded in is the U.S. Dollar...answer me why English is the international language...I'm curious |
First of all, if you have not noticed, the US has been falling significantly over the past few years and have reached record lows against British Pound and Euro in just past few days. It also reached record lows against Canadian dollar. Canadian dollar used to cost around 67-68 cents. Now it costs 95 cents. More and more, countries are switching heir reserves into Euros and other currencies because of the falling dollar.
Now, it's easy to explain why people want to speak English and why it's a dominant language in economy and commerce.
Historically, Britain was one of the most powerful countries on Earth. In the last century, London was an undisputed leader in commerce and finance. Britain also colonized or had enormous influence on many countries. That's why people in the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, India and many other countries speak English. Then, in the beginning of this century, the US became the most developed and the most powerful economy that had enormous influence in the world. So English, naturally, became very popular because of that, but also because of pervasive American culture (movies, fashion, etc). Interestingly enough, more and more American companies today become global and get swallowed by European and other global conglomerates. London is gaining in significance and is become more important than New York as the world's financial center (has the most expensive real estate in the World). Many financial firms now earn more money abroad than here in the US. And many of well-known American brand names now belong to foreign companies (like Unilever). And the most popular cars sold and made in America are actually Japanese... So, we are getting more and more global. |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:28 am Post subject: |
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| very true...Spice and I agree...except that these global companies are still US and British held...So many British companies back in colonia times had operations abroad...so it's nothing new. Debbers is a good exampl...Diamonds are not mined here and they come from abroad...but yet Oppenhiemer Co who owns Debeers is a new york Company. So tell me something new. Low US dollar means foreign investment is made here in the USA and not abroad...that drives are economy higher...which is why our stock market is above 14k. We've always had a poor economy when the dollar was high...always |
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MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 8:01 am Post subject: |
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| bingo! And this is what I am talking about...actually we did this before with the Japanese...America weakens the dollar when we are at our peak...for instance in Real Estate...Prices are high...foriegn investors come in and buy because the dollar is weak...they get more supposedly for thier money...then later...the prices drop the dollar escalates and we buy the goods/properties back, Sell high buy low..very basic but true. Anyways..Americans are only hurting right now if we buy foriegn and travel. In the past 3 years most real estate sells were for 2nd and 3rd homes...or investment properties...so the market didn't really apply to the first time buyers like it had in the years prior. Anyways the article summed up my point of view. Also though things cannot be the same or there will be stagnation...the dollar is only low because everything else is high. Can't have even currencies or there is no need for transactions...there has to be movement and stimulation for profits. So if one market constantly dominates...it won't be sustained...has to be competition and this is why a market econmy works as well as it does |
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Fire_Goddess
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| Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:17 am Post subject: |
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Maybe MrSpice will follow the money, and move the hell out of the USA.  |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:24 am Post subject: |
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well the money is right here...in fact seeing how I have such a big ego...I AM THE MONEY  Well at least to someone  |
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Fire_Goddess
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:39 am Post subject: |
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| surfguy wrote: | | well the money is right here...in fact seeing how I have such a big ego...I AM THE MONEY Well at least to someone |
Yes you do!  |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:00 am Post subject: |
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| no I don't |
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Fire_Goddess
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:04 am Post subject: |
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| surfguy wrote: | | no I don't |
Oh come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:20 pm Post subject: |
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| seriously!!! |
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dfnsk
Frequent Guest
Joined: 25 May 2007
Posts: 29
Location: Novosibirsk
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| Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:44 pm Post subject: |
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i'm sorry for interrupting you once again, but i have the same question (in topic subject) concerning other translator's text.
Could you pleeeeaaase help me with this one too  I will quote only several paragraphs
| Quote: | Introduction
The literal translation of Academgorodok is “Academic Town”. It was founded during the Cold War Being near Novosibirsk as the Soviet Union’s largest scientific center behind the Ural Mountains. The Soviet Government back then attempted to create ideal living and working conditions for scientists. You can find there great number of research institutes. Moreover, the town is placed in the middle of forest, nearby the Botanic garden and the Ob Reservoir, whose shore was turned into great sandy beaches, nicknamed “the Ob Sea” by the local dwellers. Academgorodok is also the center of student life because of the Novosibirsk State University, whose main campus is located on Piragova Street.
Nowadays, the situation is being slowly changed. Academgorodok is gradually transforming into an elite dwelling district of Novosibirsk. Akademgorodok is enjoying such transformation because it adds the benefits of comfortable living to the great scientific environment and beautiful nature.
Academgorodok is divided into two parts. The upper zone (Morskoy Avenue, Ilyicha Street and surrounding streets) and the “Schya” district (Stroiteley Avenue, Mussa Jalil Street, Ivanova Street, Arbuzova Street amd Demakova Street). The Upper Zone and the “Shya” are shown on our map.
Living in Akademgorodok
Generally, almost any advices relevant to living in Novosibirsk apply to Akademgorodok. Though, it’s necessary to leave some comments.
Nearly each street has a major shop. The biggest one is the Trade Center where nearly everything can be found. It is situated on the Ilyicha Street, just two minutes walking distance from the main building of University, and five minutes from the House of Scientists.
You can reach the Novosibirsk downtown by shuttle busses 1015 or 1235 (costs 30 rubles), commuter buses 8 or 1209 (costs 10 rubles) or by taxi (250-300 rub). Interestingly, high competition amongst the taxi operators (over 15 taxi companies) drives the rates down significantly. For example, you can reach any point within the Upper Zone for as low as 60 rubles. Foreigners living in Akademgorodok recommend to use “GreenTaxi” operator, whose dispatchers speak English.
Branches of banks are marked on our map. You can find 24 hour Visa/Mastercard ATM’s in the Trade Center, New York Pizza restaurants, Gorodok shop and Zolotaya Rosha shop. |
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overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 12:21 am Post subject: |
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Like most Russian-to-English translations translated by Russian speakers, the phrasing is awkward. There are no glaring mistakes, it is perfectly serviceable text but no one would mistake it for having been written by a native English speaker.
"It was founded during the Cold War Being near Novosibirsk as the Soviet Union’s largest scientific center behind the Ural Mountains."
What does "Cold War Being" mean? Should say 'founded during the Cold War'. Also the phrase "behind the Ural Mountains does not indicate any kind of geographical location. Better to say east of the Ural Mountains.
In English it would not be usual to say that " the town is placed in the middle of forest". One may place a cup on the table but one does not place towns anywhere. Sounds like it was picked up from somewhere else and dropped into the forest.
For general purposes though, the text is basically ok. No grammar mistakes. The only issue is the odd phrase construction a native speaker would not use and some wonky punctuation. If it's not a life and death matter, I wouldn't worry about it much if I were you. It looks pretty good. Don't get too wound up about perfection.
This though should be corrected "Generally, almost any advices relevant to living in Novosibirsk....." Advice cannot be pluralized. |
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overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 12:51 am Post subject: |
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And for entertainment's sake, and just so you don't feel bad, check out this incomprehensible *English* sentence from Aeroflot's totally crappy website. Yeah, you'd think Aeroflot could do just a little bit better than this:
"During the period of 27th of October – 03rd of November reservation of route segments is excluded in the destination of Moscow - European terminal."
Although I suppose I know what I think it means, in terms of common English it's absolutely dreadful. The words are English all right but the meaning is a riddle. And when you're spending big money on an airline ticket you really want to know what the terms and limitations are. Not at Aeroflot...... |
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dfnsk
Frequent Guest
Joined: 25 May 2007
Posts: 29
Location: Novosibirsk
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you all one more time! finally i've done it
NovosibirskGuide.com - Virtual Novosibirsk Guide - has been launched. There is no need now to spend time with google trying to find out information about Novosibirsk - everything is there. The content of this website is absolutely exclusive and was created especially for NovosibirskGuide.com. On the one hand we’ve tried to describe the city as fairly as possible, and at the same time we’ve used the information that is available only for Novosibirsk insiders.
p.s. Special eclipse 2008 section available!
How do you find it? If you have some advices, notices or questions - write to me! |
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