Speaka da English

At work, we use Language Line, a national professional translation service for non-English-speaking callers to better facilitate our emergency response. The latest Language Line newsletter included the following interesting article, copied verbatim here for your enjoyment!

Why is English difficult to learn?

Because there are so many odd elements, exceptions, peculiar spellings, and
strange pronunciations.

If English is your second language, you are no doubt aware of this fact!

Consider, for example:

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to
produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more
refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to
desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present,
he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the
head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to
the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a
row among the oarsmen about how to row.

13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny
things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into
a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to
sow.

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) After a number of
injections my jaw got number.
19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed
a tear.

20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21) How can I
intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Quoted from an anonymous Internet source. Contributed by Craig Wandke,
Language Line Services Spanish Interpreter Operations Manager.

Speaka da English