Hello, My Name is… Rick Genest

Hello, My Name is… Rick Genest

I was born in 1987 to conservative parents in Chateauguay, a suburb of Montreal, Canada. My childhood was a relatively normal one: I played with my friends, attended school, and did what typical kids do! Then everything went dark. At 15 I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour which would have killed me had I not undergone a dangerous operation. I knew fully well that a few decades earlier such an operation would have left me for dead. During this period I though hard about life and death. After I left the…Czytaj dalej …
Mountain, Comfortable, Vegetable

Mountain, Comfortable, Vegetable

Some of the hardest words for non-native speakers of English to pronounce correctly are mountain, comfortable and vegetable. Although the latter two end in "-table" they sound nothing like that! Mountain /ˈmountn/ A geological structure which rises out of the ground forming a peak. Click here to hear native speakers pronounce the word "mountain". Comfortable /ˈkəmfərtəbəl/ A feeling of physical comfort, often used for clothes and furniture Click here to hear native speakers pronounce the word "comfortable". Vegetable /ˈvejtəbəl/ A plant-based food Click here to hear native speakers pronounce the word "vegetable".Czytaj dalej …
What Kind of Friends are These?

What Kind of Friends are These?

Linguistically speaking, false friends are words that sound similar in two languages, but have a different meaning! Let's take a look at some words which are often confused in English and Polish: Polish word False Friend (meaning) Correct word in English   Aktualny Actual (fact; something that is true) Current; contemporary Dres Dress (a flowing piece of clothing worn by women) Tracksuit Ekspedient Expedient (quick) Sales assistant Ewentualny Eventual (something that will happen in due course) Possible Genialny Genial (cheerful and friendly) Brilliant Hazard Hazard (a dangerous thing) Gambling Lunatyk Lunatic (someone who is…Czytaj dalej …
The Maltese Language

The Maltese Language

The cover story for English Matter's July/August issue (EM47) was dedicated to the tiny island of Malta. English is one of two national languages on the island. The other is a language few people even know exists, despite the fact that it is an officially recognised language of the European Union. Maltese is a semitic tongue, meaning it is a kind of Arabic dialect which proliferated on the Eastern basin of the Mediterranean sea. Over the centuries, it has picked up a lot of foreign vocabulary, mainly Italian, French (the Maltese word for…Czytaj dalej …
Predicting the World Cup

Predicting the World Cup

The World Cup in Brazil is well underway, and probably everyone and his brother has an opinion on who will win the tournament. But pundits are now turning to some unlikely sources to predict who will come out on top. Different animals around the world are weighing in with their opinion on which teams will win – and which will get eliminated. Let's take a look at three making most of the (animal) noise! Regina the Octopus This German psychic mollusc is making ripples (quite literally) around the world. It has already predicted…Czytaj dalej …
Three Questions to… a Cross-Cultural Trainer

Three Questions to… a Cross-Cultural Trainer

As part of our new series, we will ask three questions to several people active in different fields of life: business, culture, entertainment and more! ___________ Today we catch up with Izabela Markiewicz, a cross-cultural trainer! 1) What do you do? I am business trainer and consultant specialising in international, cross-cultural settings. I work with multinational organisations, multicultural teams, individuals from different countries and cultures, and help them to increase cultural competency. I train clients in the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment. For example when you leave…Czytaj dalej …

Technology and the World Cup

The World Cup is well under way. And since here at English Matters there is nothing we like more than football and technology, we will take a look at some the cutting-edge technologies making headlines in Brazil. Goal-line technology Football is a great game, and people get very emotional about it. Billions of dollars are invested worldwide on making it as entertaining as possible. Ultimately what it boils down to is the number of goals scored. A new automated technology is now helping referees ascertaining exactly when the ball enters the goal area,…Czytaj dalej …
Hello, My Name Is… Edson Arantes do Nascimento

Hello, My Name Is… Edson Arantes do Nascimento

I was born on the 21st of October, 1940, and it wasn't much later that I first started kicking a football around in my native Brazil. My mother named me after the American inventor, Thomas Edison, who successfully introduced lightbulbs into homes around the world. I was given my nickname in school, when my friends made fun of the way I pronounced the name of my favourite footballer, Bilé. My childhood was a poor one, but I found solace in kicking a newspaper-stuffed sock around the sandy ground of my hometown. Although I…Czytaj dalej …
Breakfast of Champions

Breakfast of Champions

The first meal of the day is the one most people skip. We seem to be too busy to eat breakfast, and opt instead to grab a quick coffee and sandwich (if even that) on our way out of the door. However, a good breakfast is considered the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle, helping kickstart our metabolism for the day which lies ahead. Now admittedly there are many healthy options for breakfast. Cottage cheese, some fruit, and/or corn flakes can give that much-needed boost of energy without being too heavy. But everyone (and…Czytaj dalej …
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