Before going any further with this blog, I need to do penance in one of Prague’s famous cathedrals and lament my prior arrogance. Whilst many similarities between our languages can be found, there are some significant differences with the rules.Language rules are strange beasts, a good number can be broken. In fact, some of the most accomplished authors in English literature have done so to great acclaim. There are some rules however, that are strictly sacred in both Czech and English. Messing with these is the linguistic equivalent of blasphemy.
I have a good friend who speaks comprehensible English, but by following the Czech rules on sentence structure rather than the English ones. The result being a Yoda-esque eloquence, an unfortunate fact as he also bears a distinct resemblance to the Jedi Master.
Yes, I laughed. As I’ve done many times when listening to the crisscrossed wiring of English vocabulary with Czech grammar. But after some intensive attempts at learning Czech, I’ve seen the light and been humbled. You see, a Czech speaking English whilst relying on Czech rules does indeed sound like Yoda; but an Englishman speaking Czech with English grammar rules sounds like his dyslexic half-brother.
Since I’m in this vain of repentance, I would like you, the reader, to hold me accountable to these holy commandments of Czechlish blogging:
- If you see me systematically murder a Czech phrase, my rather basic second language, with dodgy spelling or grammar. Please rebuke me.
- If you see me systematically murder an English phrase, my own native language, with dodgy spelling or grammar. Please shoot me.
- If you know your stuff and can elaborate on anything written on this blog, please comment. I’m here to learn new things about Czech and English; if I can do that without studying, all the better.
Right, that’s the introduction out of the way.
