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26 [twenty-six]

In nature

26 [ses en twintig]	In die natuur

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Positive languages, negative languages

Most people are either optimists or pessimists. But that can apply to languages too! Scientists repeatedly analyze the vocabulary of languages. In doing so they often come to astounding results. In English, for example, there are more negative than positive words. There are almost double the number of words for negative emotions. In western societies, the vocabulary influences the speakers. The people there complain quite often. They also criticize many things. Therefore, they use language with an altogether more negative tone. But negative words are interesting for another reason too. They contain more information than positive terms. The reason for this could lie in our evolution. It was always important for all living things to recognize dangers. They had to react quickly to risks. Besides that, they wanted to warn others of dangers. Therefore it was essential to be able to pass along information very quickly. As much as possible should be said with as few words as possible. Apart from that, negative language doesn't have any real advantages. That is easy for anyone to imagine. People who only speak negatively are surely not very popular. Furthermore, negative language affects our emotions. Positive language, on the other hand, can have positive effects. People that are always positive have more success in their career. So we should use our language more carefully. Because we choose which vocabulary we use. And through our language we create our reality. So: Speak positively!

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Do you see the tower there?	S_e_ j_ d_e t_r_n_ d_a_ a_d_r_a_t_ Sien jy die toring daar anderkant? S___ j_ d__ t_____ d___ a_________ Sien jy die toring daar anderkant? ____ __ ___ ______ ____ __________ Sien jy die toring daar anderkant?
Do you see the mountain there?	S_e_ j_ d_e b_r_ d_a_ a_d_r_a_t_ Sien jy die berg daar anderkant? S___ j_ d__ b___ d___ a_________ Sien jy die berg daar anderkant? ____ __ ___ ____ ____ __________ Sien jy die berg daar anderkant?
Do you see the village there?	S_e_ j_ d_e d_r_ d_a_ a_d_r_a_t_ Sien jy die dorp daar anderkant? S___ j_ d__ d___ d___ a_________ Sien jy die dorp daar anderkant? ____ __ ___ ____ ____ __________ Sien jy die dorp daar anderkant?

Do you see the river there?	S_e_ j_ d_e r_v_e_ d_a_ a_d_r_a_t_ Sien jy die rivier daar anderkant? S___ j_ d__ r_____ d___ a_________ Sien jy die rivier daar anderkant? ____ __ ___ ______ ____ __________ Sien jy die rivier daar anderkant?
Do you see the bridge there?	S_e_ j_ d_e b_u_ d_a_ a_d_r_a_t_ Sien jy die brug daar anderkant? S___ j_ d__ b___ d___ a_________ Sien jy die brug daar anderkant? ____ __ ___ ____ ____ __________ Sien jy die brug daar anderkant?
Do you see the lake there?	S_e_ j_ d_e m_e_ d_a_ a_d_r_a_t_ Sien jy die meer daar anderkant? S___ j_ d__ m___ d___ a_________ Sien jy die meer daar anderkant? ____ __ ___ ____ ____ __________ Sien jy die meer daar anderkant?

I like that bird.	E_ h_u v_n d_a_d_e v_ë_. Ek hou van daardie voël. E_ h__ v__ d______ v____ Ek hou van daardie voël. __ ___ ___ _______ _____ Ek hou van daardie voël.
I like that tree.	E_ h_u v_n d_a_d_e b_o_. Ek hou van daardie boom. E_ h__ v__ d______ b____ Ek hou van daardie boom. __ ___ ___ _______ _____ Ek hou van daardie boom.
I like this stone.	E_ h_u v_n h_e_d_e k_i_. Ek hou van hierdie klip. E_ h__ v__ h______ k____ Ek hou van hierdie klip. __ ___ ___ _______ _____ Ek hou van hierdie klip.

I like that park.	E_ h_u v_n d_a_d_e p_r_i_. Ek hou van daardie parkie. E_ h__ v__ d______ p______ Ek hou van daardie parkie. __ ___ ___ _______ _______ Ek hou van daardie parkie.
I like that garden.	E_ h_u v_n d_a_d_e t_i_. Ek hou van daardie tuin. E_ h__ v__ d______ t____ Ek hou van daardie tuin. __ ___ ___ _______ _____ Ek hou van daardie tuin.
I like this flower.	E_ h_u v_n h_e_d_e b_o_. Ek hou van hierdie blom. E_ h__ v__ h______ b____ Ek hou van hierdie blom. __ ___ ___ _______ _____ Ek hou van hierdie blom.

I find that pretty.	D_t i_ v_r m_ m_o_. Dit is vir my mooi. D__ i_ v__ m_ m____ Dit is vir my mooi. ___ __ ___ __ _____ Dit is vir my mooi.
I find that interesting.	D_t i_ v_r m_ i_t_r_s_a_t_ Dit is vir my interessant. D__ i_ v__ m_ i___________ Dit is vir my interessant. ___ __ ___ __ ____________ Dit is vir my interessant.
I find that gorgeous.	D_t i_ v_r m_ p_a_t_g_ Dit is vir my pragtig. D__ i_ v__ m_ p_______ Dit is vir my pragtig. ___ __ ___ __ ________ Dit is vir my pragtig.

I find that ugly.	D_t i_ v_r m_ l_l_k_ Dit is vir my lelik. D__ i_ v__ m_ l_____ Dit is vir my lelik. ___ __ ___ __ ______ Dit is vir my lelik.
I find that boring.	D_t i_ v_r m_ v_r_e_i_. Dit is vir my vervelig. D__ i_ v__ m_ v________ Dit is vir my vervelig. ___ __ ___ __ _________ Dit is vir my vervelig.
I find that terrible.	D_t i_ v_r m_ v_r_k_i_l_k_ Dit is vir my verskriklik. D__ i_ v__ m_ v___________ Dit is vir my verskriklik. ___ __ ___ __ ____________ Dit is vir my verskriklik.

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Positive languages, negative languages

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