While learning English is a tough language in and of itself to learn, how do they deal with such phrases like Jumping Jahilliwades, applepandowdy, whatchamacallit, hiyamadoodle, thingamabob, poop digger, caddycorner, discombobulated, skeedattle, lickadeesplit, diddlyesquat, lacadaiscical, rambunchous, scalywags, rigamaroll, malarky, monkey paste, etc. etc. Some say that there or more than 250 of these types of off beat, not in the dictionary phrases.
2006-08-07 20:23:16 · 11 answers · asked by jeeveswantstoknow 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Several of those words are in the dictionary--although you spelled quite a few of them wrong. Not everyone knows them all--I know I don't and I'm a native speaker.
If they hear a word and can't understand it from the context, I assume they would do the same thing I do and ask. If they're brave, they might just try it out themselves and see how it goes over. Sometimes they'll get a weird reaction and learn a bit more. Sometimes they'll get no reaction and presume they made sense.
2006-08-08 00:22:10 · answer #1 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm...not even native English speakers know about those phrases, but I assume that if immigrants spend many years in this country and hang out in lots of different retirement homes, they can figure out what those phrases mean! =)
2006-08-07 20:29:52 · answer #2 · answered by Dolly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They learn by educating themselves. Communication IS the key to knowledge, although I doubt the words you have mentioned would enhance an immigrants life !
2006-08-07 20:30:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
people think that immigrants are poor and lower class but many immmigrants are very rich and learn things like how a baby would learn to talk. trust me if you were stuck in spain or someting for life, you would be forced to learn that language.
2006-08-07 20:31:17 · answer #4 · answered by Madison 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm pretty sure they won't need it, nor will they ever hear it, because it's not like they're ever gonna pop up at a job interview or something!
2006-08-08 02:00:34 · answer #5 · answered by Foxy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know, it would definitely be overwhelming. Actually, I don't think I even know what all of those expressions mean and I've lived in the U.S. my whole life.
2006-08-07 20:28:28 · answer #6 · answered by Nic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And you americans think you speak English Hahahaha!!
2006-08-07 23:36:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
learning english is so easy.
2006-08-07 20:31:02 · answer #8 · answered by Jane Doe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whoa... What a list!
2006-08-07 20:30:39 · answer #9 · answered by Kanda 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are you from the south?
2006-08-08 06:50:44 · answer #10 · answered by floppyduck339 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋