English Thread

In this thread, we attempt to learn to read, write, and speak English, a language which would be very useful to know. It is widely spoken throughout the world.

Do you speak English? Are you fluent? What resources did you use to learn? Can you give some examples in this thread? Posts some useful links.

Let's help each other out and learn a new language.

>>148
English has many more random exceptions than Japanese. From my perspective, Japanese is more of a logic-based language, and learning it is a matter of adjusting to that logic. English is filled with all kinds of inconsistencies. Not to mention that many native English speakers use improper spelling and grammar. There are many rules that the vast majority of the English-speaking population are not aware of. Should you master English, you will most likely have a better knowledge of it than native speakers.

An interesting example of how English can be confusing is the GHOTI = FISH scenario (ゴートィ ＝ フィシュ).
Consider the English words
Tough (タッフ, looks like トウグフ/トウグホ) Tougufu/Touguho
Women (ウィメン, looks like ヲメン) Women
Nation (ネーシュン, looks like ナトィオン) Nation

touGH = taFfu
wOmen = uImen
naTIon = neeSHun
So therefore, GH + O + TI = F + I + SH.
Therefore, GHOTI is pronounced the same as FISH by that "logic".
However, any English speaker would pronounce GHOTI as ゴートィ, not as フィシュ. Just an example where English makes little sense.