h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello, A.R. Shams.

I have a question.

Where did you learn English?

H.

Would you mind disclosing what makes you ask me this plain question?
Did you find any mistake that requires correction which I would accept if its exactly that?

Notwithstanding, I appreciate your frank approach which is very rare in our time. Thanking your decent self and in the meanwhile, I remain,


Truely yours

A.R.Shams
the author of the "Creative Living Spirit"

The reason I ask (and I note you haven't answered...) is that your phrasing is unusual. Not incorrect (usually), but equally not what I would expect of a native speaker.

Examples:

"Would you mind disclosing what makes you ask me this plain question?"

Using the word "disclosing" instead of just "telling".
Using the word "plain". It's not wrong, it just *feels* out of place, to me.

"Notwithstanding, I appreciate your frank approach which is very rare in our time."

Again, a perfectly correct sentence which simply sounds slightly odd to my ears. Not many people use the word "notwithstanding". "in our time" is a likewise incongruous phrase.

"Thanking your decent self and in the meanwhile"

Again, polite, and in English, but odd, and not indicative to me of a native user of the language but rather a very well-read, well educated foreigner.

I've read quite a bit of what you've written, and this impression is consistent across all of it.

As to why I ask - I'm just curious. You have a very distinctive "voice" on here. It's as if you're speaking perfectly good English but with an accent I can't place. Care to enlighten me?

H.

Thanks a lot dear !

Well, I'm not your 'native' where physically you reside most probably in U.K., I'm a Global resident of Pakistan, the country you may like very much although I'm proud of it as much you are of your United Kingdom.

Thanks for you appreciation about my writing to meet your liking although I'm not that much a talent but I think that might be your sign of love for those struggle to express the truth they realise themselves .

I do also love to go through yours which are very often interesting and informative as well.

Truely yours,

A.R.Shams

author of "Creative Living Spirit"















A.R.Shams

Like Hoo, I also have a question, but first I'll tell you a little of the effect I think you are creating.

You seem to me to be very well meaning. However you may not be achieving the results you desire. Telling people 'Be peaceful' will not make them peaceful. It may irritate them, particularly if the message is repeated. It feels like nagging.

IIt may be more helpful to show people how to live more peacefully. For example:

A765605 Mindfulness
A662942 Quaker Peace Testament
A769755 Yoga Nidra
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/U170113 Pheloxi's site - creator of 'Wish only Well'

And so my question to you is - what do you think the effect of your messages is on your readers? Has the response been good or bad? Have you had any positive remarks? Have you had suggestions which imply your messages may not be working? Do you listen to replies and take any notice of them?

I wish you only well. Please take the time to read and think about these suggestions.

... forgive me for asking such a question, but are you using an online translation site to translate your writing into English? As Hoovooloo wrote, your writing style does come across as quite artifical, a bit like how it would if you translate each word separately without any sense of context.

I ask this because most of your postings here seem a little random, with no direct reference to the entries you're commenting on, and a few people are beginning to wonder who you are.



Jimster

well, I intend to learn following the advices of greater people as like as like you who love to criticise others constructively.


Truely yours

A.R.Shams

I don't think any of us make any claims to being 'greater'! We're just trying to be positive and to help you make the best of h2g2.

Do you use a translation machine, by the way?

Translation machine ! Should I use that? Well, next time I'll try to have a guide from that if you guess I deserve that.

Thanks.


A.R.Shams
author of the "Creative Living Spirit"
series of Moral Messages for Humanitarian
services..............