luxztizer (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I always thought it was a rather silly explanation of why we speak different languages but that's an opinion, I could go on but I won't.

luxztizer (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Not to turn this into a debate on biblical meanings but the way I understood it was that it took the cooperation of everybody in the world (or the bulk of them) to build the tower of babel and god made the different languages so that they couldn't communicate with each other anymore and thus couldn't build the tower.

wowJhil (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

It is truly amazing that people, all over the world, knows now that seven people got "sick" by watching Babel! What's next? :D

gfvf (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

the reasone god punished them is because they were greedy and tought too good of themselfes, by thinking they could reach god with hight, and be like him.. or something like that/ anyway, in that story the people are really stupid :(

re109 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I am not sure I know the exact story but I do know that the Tower of Babel was built so that the king could reach Heaven. At the time everyone spoke the same language and God punished everyone by makeing them speak different languages. You probably already knew that but I thought I might post this because I realy enjoy your show.

thaevilpimp (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I remember one situation where I used the present perfect towards a superior, and he seemed slightly vexed, that I was implying, that he had to finish that task (even though it was agreed upon). He kind of mockingly repeated my question "Have I done it?" LOL But from his reaction I knew, that I had used the tense right

thaevilpimp (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

It's like the die has been cast. A new situation has been created and we have to deal with this new situation now. The watchman has spoken, everyone has to deal with this new situation, no on can ignore that. Whereas if no one cared, you might say, "he spoke his mind like the other jacks" or "he left a comment on that video". It's not something that was expected of him or that made a big difference. (I do get the humor of course)

thaevilpimp (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Wow, I've been quoted on thedailyenglishshow .. My life is complete :) . I just wanted to give another explanation, how I understand the difference between past tense and present perfect. Past tense is more concerned with the past action, and present perfect is more concerned with present effects. E.g. America has voted has the present effect, that there are now new Senators and Congressmen to legislate the country

Redfrettchen (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Wow, questionanswer was challenging today. But it's a nice change, because it forced me to look the words up. :)

poolman802 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I always think of The Wizard of Oz when the wizard always says, "The Great and Powerful Oz Has Spoken."