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English Language & Linguistics

English Language

 

 

Foreign Language Learners and Letter Writing

The letter below was written by a mature student whose native language was Finnish, whose working language was Swedish and who is communicating here in English, his third language.
The expression is not what would be expected from a native English speaker.

a) Write out the letter in Standard English spelling, vocabulary and grammar.
b) Comment on any difficulties you found in re-writing it.
c) List and discuss details which do not conform to Standard English.
d) Suggest "rules" or advice which the writer needs to grasp to make his work conform to Standard English.

Fagersta October 6th

Mr Duncan Grey

Kommendörsgatan 30
11448 Stockholm

Many thanks for Your attending of our latest meeting in the Town-planning committee.

We have noticed very carefully Your suggestions under the session. Due to the fact that many of us had confused and funny ideas, our planning job has not resulted in the best solution for our Town in future. Anyhow, Your correcting steps in this matter have given a concis and from a linguistic point of view a perfect report, which is a honour for us everybody.

Unfortonately have the deciding intances quite prompty refuced this proposal, sad to say, with words not suitable in printed form. Outr committee has been dissolved.

Therefore we ask You, if You now are intresting in new job, as member in committee called: "How can we best use used maches?"

The payment should be 200 Skr/h as usual.

Welcome to next meeting on thursday 10.october

Yors sincerely

Paavo Eriksson

Committee secretary

 

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