LL-L "Lexicon" 2006.04.06 (04) [E]

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06 April 2006 * Volume 04
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From: Brooks, Mark <mark.brooks at twc.state.tx.us>
Subject: LL-L "Lexicon" 2006.04.06 (03) [D/E/Russian]

Marcel asked: "The question still remains: But does it sound odd? I can
imagine that it is a perfectly normal construction in South African English,
possibly under the influence of _bemeester_."

Hi Marcel:

I'm a native speaker of American English with a heavy flavoring of Texan.
No, it does not sound odd to me at all.  In fact, it makes perfect sense,
because one can "master" quite a few activities (for lack of a better word).
For example, one can master the game of golf, tennis, etc.  Mastering
doesn't mean always being perfect, but it does suggest a level of very high
proficiency.

I've heard the phrase in Spanish of "dominar el inglés" as what I took to be
equivalent of mastering English.

Mark Brooks

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Lexicon

Mark,

Spanish _dominar el inglés_ corresponds word for word to German _das 
Englische beherrschen_ 'to be (fully) proficient in English', where 
_beherrschen_ usually means 'to dominate' or 'to have under one's control'. 
In other words, you have a "grasp" of the language, have it under your 
control, so to speak, better to say, "to have command of English."

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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From: Paul Finlow-Bates <wolf_thunder51 at yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: LL-L "Lexicon" 2006.04.06 (03) [D/E/Russian]

From: Marcel Bas
on "to master a language"

The question still remains: But does it sound odd? I can imagine that it is
a perfectly normal construction in South African English....
Best regards,

Marcel.


It certainly doesn't sound odd to me, I'd use that construction and so, I 
believe, would the majority of English people.

Paul Finlow-Bates 

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