Angličtina na iDNES.czTo give you some shocking figures, according to the W3C, which is the standards body which monitors and oversees the Internet, some 80% of ALL electronic content on the Web is now written in the English language!
Presently, about 1.2 BILLION people are connected to cyberspace, with millions more being added each month.
In this series on writing letters in English, here are some approaches, tips and sentences which can help you when you need to write to others whether it’s an email or participating in an online chat.
Emails vs. Snail Mail
Standard email programs come in two basic types: either they are dedicated standalone software packages like Microsoft’s Outlook, or a person can have what is called Web-based email, which is provided by such companies and online services as Google, Volny, Yahoo, and Hotmail.
While email software packages may vary, what people do with them is pretty much the same: they write things and communicate.
When mail is sent via email, it is also called electronic mail or Web mail by some people.
By comparison, whenever someone writes a letter by hand or even on a computer and prints it out and then sends it to the destination they want via the post office, the term for this is called "snail mail" because it takes longer to "get there" than email normally would.
When you are going to communicate with someone by writing them, ask them first if they want you to email them, or snail mail them. After they tell you their preference, you can then send them your letter either way.
About Your Greetings
Naturally, how you first greet someone in your written correspondence is very important. Not only do you want to respond in the proper way, but you also want it to be understood that you understand, what is going on.
One of the first decisions you will have to make is whether to write your letter in a formal style or an informal style.
Formal vs. Informal
At the high level, there are two basic kinds of letters: formal and informal.
Formal letters usually include things like "Dear Mr. Smith" or "Dear Miss Jones" and will often include words which are considered more "formal" instead of the more "casual" ones in English. Examples:
"Dear John,
"How’s it going?" or
"Dear Mr. Smith,
"We are in receipt of your letter dated November 9th for which we thank you."
Notice that in the first informal example, the writer just asks his friend how he is doing, whereas in the formal style there is first an acknowledgement that a letter has been received. This is considered proper protocol.
(Continued tomorrow...)
Joke of the Day - Yet More Dumb LawsIn the year 2005, two British students decided to research "all of the dumb laws in America" and then make a point to travel there, and then break them! Here are some of the “dumb laws” these and other visitors to America (and even Americans themselves) often break. 1. Anniston, Alabama: it is against the law to wear blue jeans while walking down Noble Street. Comment: I guess Levis will not be opening a store there - ever! 2. Alabama: it is illegal to pick your nose, pull out a bogger, and flickit in the wind. 3. Alabama: anyone who puts salt on railroad tracks can be given the death penalty if convicted. 4. Alaska: Kangaroos are NOT allowed to be in the same place where men and women get their hair cut! Comment: ALASKA has Kangaroos?! I guess “global warming” must REALLY be true! Kangaroos are now migrating from Australia, hopping across the Bearing Strait and fighting polar bears. 5. San Francisco, California: it is against the law to beat your rug in front of your own house. |
Najdete ji také v bezplatném deníku Metropolitní expres.
