Bear or beer?

Do you agree with the statement that it is important to learn all the aspects of a foreign language? If not, read this story to find out why:

When I arrived in England, I couldn’t speak a word of English, so I decided to take some lessons.

My teacher told us that we had to be careful as in many ways English was a confusing language. Many a trap lies waiting for the unsuspecting student. At first, I took his advice with a pinch of salt, but I was soon to learn by bitter experience.

I remember, only too well, an evening I spent in a local pub. I had been going there three or four times a week and had communicated with the barman by means of sign language. One evening, I took the bull by the horns and decided to speak. I took a deep breath and ordered as clearly as I could: “A bear, please.”

The barman couldn’t believe his ears. He hesitated for a moment and then answered: “Listen to me, young man. You are in a pub not at the zoo!” I didn’t understand him but realized from his voice that he was none too pleased. I would have gone without my beer that evening if a kind Englishman hadn’t intervened. He took me by the arm and led me to his table. Over a drink he explained my silly mistake. He was very friendly and helpful, but talked very quickly.

After a few drinks he became very patriotic and talked about the Queen and the Monarchy. I didn’t understand half of what he said but nodded sympathetically from time to time.

Soon I began to feel a little tipsy and thought that this would be a good opportunity to practise my English. “God, shave the Queen!” I exclaimed. There was a deathly silence. Then he began to go pale. He stood up, looked me up and down and then turned round sharply and walked away leaving me with my mouth hanging open and my glass hanging in the air. “See you tomorrow”, I said weakly. But he had gone. I still feel miserable when I think of that day and know that my teacher was right and I was altogether wrong.

From “BBC: Learn English”

Translate the following sentences paying attention to neologisms (newly created fresh words – неологізми) and egologisms (author’s coinages – слова, створені самим автором, авторські неологізми. Some of these have been absorbed by the language and are widely used now ) in italics:

1. It was a decorated, becatered and bewaitered table. (B. Tarkington)

2. She displayed wonders of horsemanship and horseman-woman-ship.(B.Tarkington)

3. A man doesn’t come a thousand and odd miles to be not-at-homed at the end of it. (Ch. Lever)

4. There are people who have much and those who have nothing. — Well, you see. I’m among muchers.(G. Page)

5.We are the not-wanteds.(R. Aldington)

6. “We are has-beens now Kelly,” said the former policeman to his dog.

7. Summer at last. You look summary too. (E. Benson)

8. She did her duty by me completely, but it is clear that there was no motherhood, no sonship between us. (H. Wells)

9. The white tiled, gleaming-tapped bathroom. (G. Frankau)

10. A strong northerly wind that found a few weary, half-skeletoned leaves to play with. (R. Sheriff)

11. The stage of coccoondom for modern boys is soon gone out of. (A. Berkeley)

12. It was a dehumanized apartment. (Я. Wells)

13. The pill was sugar-coated. (W.Adcock)

14. I may platitudinize, but I don’t want any Shelleyan talk. (B. Shaw)

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