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I'm a retired mathematics teacher from the heartland of the U.S. I'd like help with Italian: parlare, ascoltare, scrivere, e leggere. I would like to converse with native speakers in order to improve my ear and my fluency. Go, Cubs! I'm also interested in Bengali, because my wife and I sponsor two children from Bangladesh and I want to write to them in their own language. I have a former student and 2 doctor friends who are from Iran and I'd like to know more about this awesome country, its people and their beautiful language. I have met so many interesting, wonderful people on italki, and want to expand my horizons. This is such a big, beautiful world, just waiting to be explored.
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  • Commented
    My family name, "Stalter," derived from "Stalder," which means "steep hill or slope." My ancestors from Switzerland were shepherds, and thus, lived on the steep slopes of Switzerland, eastern France and southwest Germany. My ancestors were of the Mennonite branch of Christianity and were expelled from Switzerland in the mid-1500s because of their religious beliefs. In the U.S. they are called Amish now. Our family switched to Stalter in about 1700. So, our name refers to a place.
    0 voted
    February 6, 2018
    0
  • Corrected

    A fishy tale

    A business man was walking on the beach with his dog, (no comma needed her) when his mobile phone fell on (in or into, not on) the water and a wave took it into the sea (the idiom is "out to sea"). A week later a fisherman on his boat was catching the (unlike in Italian, sometimes the preposition/aritcle are not needed. If you want to specify an unknown quantity of fish, you could use "some fish") fish for (to sell) sell to the market. When he finished the (when he finished fishing. We don't use articles in English as much as are used in Italian) fishing he returned at (returned home) home. While he was cleaning the fish  ("a" fish would be better here, because "the fish" can either imply the plural fish, since the plural of "fish" is "fish," or a single fish) he noticed something inside a cod fish (this is not needed at all if "the fish" were changed to "a fish" earlier, since we would now know he was referring to a single fish), (Also, not a comma, but a colon here. "...he noticed something inside: a mobile phone." it was a mobile phone. It was very smelly and dirty but it still worked. The fisherman started to call some numbers. The businessman was in a phone shop, when the his girl friend's mobile phone rang. She said it's for you, it's your number. The fisherman told to (no preposition needed here. It's like "ha detto l'uomo d'affari" in Italia) the businessman about (that) he found the phone. The next day he (the fisherman) returned the phone to the businessman. He still uses it.(In these last 2 sentences, the pronouns "he" is confusing, because we don't know which man is being referred to. I would rewrite as: "The next day the fisherman returned the phone to the businessman, who still uses it to this day."


    These are easy fixes to learn. Great story!

    0 voted
    February 3, 2018
    0
  • Corrected
    0 voted
    July 17, 2016
    0
  • Corrected

    HELLO WORLD

    Hi! My name is Denis. I'm from Russia (don't offend immediately, not every russian is so bad). Right now I have to do the report for university, but I am to lazy :)

    Don't be offended immediately; not every Russian is so bad. Right now I should be writing a report for a university class, but I am too lazy. :)   (The difference between "to offend" and "to be offended" is one is performed by the subject of a sentence. "They offend me." They are "doing" the offending.  "They are offended by me." Now I am the offender! You used "offend" in the imperative, as a command or plea. What you probably meant was, "Please don't be offended BY me." 

    Also, "Right now I have to do THE report for university" implies that you will only have this one report to write forever. "the" is a definite article. You could have said, "that" or "this" report just as explicitly. If you had used "a" report, it would imply that this is just one report of many (which I'm sure there will be, given that you are at university!). And, as many Americans also mistakenly write, "to" for "too." We also have "two" just to make it more interesting. :)  It's the same problem with "there," "they're," and "their." I am studying Italian on italki, DuoLingo, and OneWorldItalian.com. I love Italian because ALL the consonants are pronounced and the rules universally apply. I have a friend who taught Russian and I tried to learn it for awhile, but I was so frustrated at trying to learn a new alphabet. I'm impressed when anyone (like you) tackles a new language with a NEW ALPHABET!

    Instead of that, I decided to find some place where I can practice my English.

    ^Perfect, except I would not have written "Instead of that." I would've written just "Instead." But, yours still works well.

    I guess I'm not so bad in English (at least I hope so :)

    "I guess I'm not so bad at writing in English" would be clearer.

    The number of corrections will show this), but I feel myself some kind of "bounded".

    Not sure what you mean by "bounded." Maybe "limited" would be a better word here.

    I mean I have quite small lexicon and huge lack of idioms knowledge.

    Idioms are the best and worst aspects of any language, in my opinion. English is filled with them. I love idioms in other languages. In Italian, some people say "In bocca al lupo" (in the mouth of the wolf) to mean "Good Luck." In English, if we want to wish someone luck before they go on stage to perform music or acting, we say, "Break a leg." Is there a Russian idiom for wishing someone good fortune?

    I always build sentences in the same way (you have already noticed that probably).

    I think you have a good variety of sentence structures!

    So I want to have a chat with good English speakers for reducing lack of practice.

    So, I want to have a chat with good English speakers in order to (idiom!) make up (idiom!) for my lack of practice.

    Rereading this, I understand that my grammar sucks too XD

    Your grammar doesn't suck at all. ("suck" is an idiom! And it's a little vulgar, so you need to be careful about when you use it. Here's an article about "suck" and how it should be part of our lexicon. http://www.slate.com/articles/life/the_good_word/2006/08/suck_it_up.html

    Very nice job. Now get back to writing that paper!! (I'm a retired school teacher. :) )

    Paul


    0 voted
    July 11, 2016
    3
  • Corrected

    Is coeliac disease curable? A new debate goes all on the gut microbiota.

    Is coeliac disease curable? A new debate goes on about gut microbiota.

    This is a very topical question, especially after Minardi's remarks, the Italian chemist who studies the gut microbiota.

    This is a very timely question, especially after remarks made by Italian chemist Melo Minardi, who studies gut microbiota.

    Over the last months, Minardi has been providing a new perspective of therapy and research on this autoimmune pathology thanks to a particular protocol tasted on his patients.

    Over the last few months (or: for months), Minardi has been providing a new perspective ON therapy and research on autoimmune pathology, thanks to a protocol tested on his patients.
    "The very first cause of coeliac disease - Minardi writes - is a high intestinal permeability. Since the permeability is attenuated, the gliadin, a gluten protein, can be cut as to avoid inflammatory issues."


    Thus, coeliac disease can be cured. How?
    Professor Minardi's protocol, that will be discussed at the 2015 Be4eat International Debates next week, focuses on the intestinal permeability, a particular pathology that disables the intestine protective function allowing toxins, microbes and other substances to enter the blood and trigger the immune system reaction.

    Professor Minardi's protocol, WHICH will be discussed at the 2015 Be4at Intern...
    "If we correctly treat permeability - Minardi says -, we will also be able to treat coeliac disease and many other related pathologies such as thyroiditis, migraine, food intolerances, multiple chemical sensitivity and fibromyalgia.


    So, many autoimmune diseases can be treated, focusing on the gut microbiota and through an attentive protocol.

    So many ... (no comma after So, unless you mean it as a pause. Do you mean it as Così, molti ..., or as Tanto...?)
    "We have to exercise our intestine" says the chemist, who is known for having achieved great results in his research on autism, focusing on intestine issues.

    "The main cause of many diseases -including coeliac disease- is a weak intestine. The most important role of microbiota is to protect us, and it has to be strong to do it. Just after birth, when the main stage of the intestine development is related to weaning, the assumption of complex food is critical to make it work properly. The intestine is like a muscle and it needs to receive complex food to remain strong"
    A poor diet weakens our entire system over time "reducing the critical and powerful endogenous mechanisms by which the microbiota keeps us healthy".
    Thus, in order to correctly restore our intestine and stem the autoimmune mechanism, it is necessary to work on the intestine permeability. It is essential to adopt an accurate alimentary protocol which aims to the restoration of the intestinal barrier and exercise the microbiota according to food intake and life style.

    It is essential to adopt an accurate alimentary protocol which aims to restore the intestinal barrier...
    "Severe diseases do not come suddenly - Minardi says - but it is a low sequence of symptoms. It's just like a car that gets broken piece by piece if we don't take it to our mechanic".

    ^Wow! This is a very technical piece of writing. Plus, I learned something about gut microbiota!!

    Nice job!

    Paul

    0 voted
    July 11, 2016
    0
  • Corrected
    0 voted
    July 11, 2016
    0
  • Corrected

    One day tour

    One day could be not enough to admire really the attractions of this area but we can try.

    One day would not be enough to really admire the attractions of this area, but we can try. (Alternative using "could": We could not really admire the attractions of this area in only one day.  Also, we "split" our infinitives quite often in English. "to admire" is split into "to <adverb> admire." This is very common. Italian makes more sense to state the verb in the infinitive and then modify that verb after with adverbs. It's just something to become familiar with in English. Also, conjunctions like "but" usually get a preceding comma.


    If you enjoy getting up early, you should go to admire the sunrise by the sea and then take an hour to visit the harbour.

    If you enjoy getting up early, you should go to admire the sunrise by the sea and then take an hour to visit the harbour. (harbor=American English. :)  )  We don't usually use the infinitive form in an imperative, or command, like "go admire."

    If you are lucky you could be present at the return of fishing boats.

    ^perfetto

    Then you can move at the city centre where there are a lot of shops and the traditional farming market.

    Then you can move TO the city centre ... (Prepositions are a pain.)

    For lunch you have to absolutely have a fish dishes in a typical fish restaurant, not matter which because all of these will be amazing.

    For lunch you absolutely have to have a fish dish in a typical fish restaurant, no matter which one, because all of these will be amazing. (Absolutely would go in front of the first "have" for it to make the most sense.)

    In the afternoon you could visit the ancient city that it is on the top of the city.

    In the afternoon you could visit the ruins at the top of the city. (If they are ruins.) Or In the afternoon you could visit the ancient city at the top of the modern city.  (Something like that.)

    There you can find the museum of the music, the white tower and a lot of ancient churches.

    There you can find the music museum, the white tower and many ancient churches. ("a lot" is pretty informal, but O.K.) Also, we make compound nouns quite often in English, omitting "of the" in many cases.

    You can choose a couple of these attractions to visit them.

    You can visit a couple of these attractions when you visit. (Your sentence is fine, except for the "them" at the end.)

    For the sunset you got to see the Sanctuary (period)  (Capital I)it is an example of astonishing architecture with an amazing overview. For dinner you could move on the inside towards the hills and taste the “Arrosticini”, a skewer of sheep meat,(period) (Capital I) it is delicious . I think that if you follow this guide you will have an enjoyable day.

    ^This is a wonderful piece of writing! You should be very proud. All of my suggestions are small. Very good job!!

    Paul

    0 voted
    July 10, 2016
    1
  • Corrected

    beginning

    I'm worried, I don't really know how to improve my English. I met a guy many months ago, and he told me about italki. He is from Guatemala and he's learning Japanese. I'd like to travell around the world but I'm attending university, so I cannot leave. I' ve thought about Erasmus, but I'm not sure It could be a good idea. Actually I'm pretty afraid, and this is not good. I need to find the courage to change my mind, make it up and face reality, without being afraid of changing :)


    This is perfect written English. If you are an Italian native speaker and you understand English this well, you can learn ANY language!

    Kudos!

    Paul

    0 voted
    July 10, 2016
    0
  • Corrected

    Presentation

    Hello! I'm Alessandro Scantamburlo from Venice, Italy.

    I have bachelor in chemistry at Padova University.

    I have a Bachelor's degree in chemistry from Padova University.

    Since 2012 I work in Nestlè like chemical analyst.

    Since 2012 I have been working at Nestlè as a chemical analyst.

    My role is detection of mycotoxins, pesticides, organic and inorganic contaminants in food, waters, petfood and packaging materials.

    My role is the detection of ... water, pet food, and packaging materials. 
    I love my job! I learn a lot every day.

    I'm 29 years old and since 2013 I'm married with Katja.

    I'm 29 years old and have been married to Katja since 2013.
    I join in italki for improve my converation and listening english and for learn more about this language.

    I joined italki to improve my English conversation and listening skills and to learn more about this language.

    In the future I want to learn spanish or portuguese.

    In the future I want to learn Spanish or Portuguese. (Proper nouns are capitalized.)
    We've got two dogs, Ettore and Lulù.

    They are two chihuahua, white and tricolour (black, white and brown). I love the dogs.

    They are two chihuahuas, a white and a tricolour (black, white, and brown). I love the dogs. (In America we don't use the "u" in "colour." But, Brit friends own the language. :) )
    I'm a cynophylist and in the future I want to have a lot of dog of any kind of breed.

    ... a lot of dogs...

    I love doberman, labrador, wolf.

    I love Dobermans, Labradors, and wolves.

    I follow on facebook maintrailing activity for learning about work with dogs in the activy of rubble.

    I follow Facebook *not sure what maintrailing is supposed to be* to learn about search and rescue dogs.

    ^This is very good. How are your speaking skills?  Kudos!

    Paul

    0 voted
    July 8, 2016
    1
  • Corrected

    You must study, Paolo

    In these days, I'm finding difficults it difficult with to studying study English. (it difficult: idiomatic. Another option: I'm having difficulty...) Need the infinitive "to study" here. Option for whole sentence: "I'm having difficulty studying English."

    I have no excuse. I'm just too tired some evenings that and the only thing I want is relaxing to relax. (Need infinitive here "to relax.")

    Where I work is so hot in these period at this time of year and it makes you me even more tired than usual.

    Anyway I manage to read and write something in English every day. I don't want to give up. It's just a period phase.("phase" is what we use when we are going through some period emotionally.) 

    My exam has been put off because I can't ask my employer for two 2 days off on July. It's a really busy month because we have to see all the orders through in time before the vacation. (We almost always write out numbers less than or equal to ten, instead of using numerals.)

    I would have prefared preferred to take it before, but it's ok. even in this way. I'm going to take it at the end of August.
    (We usually put commas before "but.")


    Tomorrow, I restart with books. I promise :)


    ^This is wonderful! You have a very strong command of English. I really enjoyed this passage.

    Paul

    0 voted
    July 8, 2016
    0