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Jeanette · 07-03-2008, 02:10 PM

This is OT, but I noticed that a lot of non-native English speakers use the expression "give the test" rather than "take the test." In English, if you are giving the test that means you're the teacher and you're administering the test.

maple_leaf · 07-03-2008, 02:32 PM

I know what you mean. I make that mistake all the time. I will end up saying " I am giving GRE next month" instead of saying " I am taking GRE next month". I am a native Bengali speaker. Whenever I have to say something in English, I will construct the sentence in Bengali and then translate it to English. In Bengali, we use "give the test" in lieu of "take the test". As a result, when I translate it to English, I am more inclined to say "give the test". ..haha

Jeanette · 07-03-2008, 02:48 PM

Yes, I figured it must be idiomatic in the original language.

econ_phd_2009 · 07-03-2008, 03:19 PM

really interesting !

Maple LEaf ,hey man i have heard that your countryman fought for your language in 1952, and that's why 21st February is the World Language Day now a days. You should feel proud as a Bangladeshi !

maple_leaf · 07-03-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by econ_phd_2009

Maple LEaf ,hey man i have heard that your countryman fought for your language in 1952, and that's why 21st February is the World Language Day now a days. You should feel proud as a Bangladeshi !

Very good observation !! Not many people are aware of that fact. My countrymen fought and gave their lives to make Bengali the official language of Bangladesh. I am proud to be a Bangladeshi

.

geek_goddess · 07-03-2008, 06:40 PM

Yes, in India too, we 'give' our exams! it's not because it's a direct translation from our native language, but because we really put in a lot when we prepare for an exam, it feels like you give it more than you get from it, and there is a sense of relief once you are done. i can't imagine 'taking' an exam, it is correct, i know, but it sounds odd!

Jeanette · 07-03-2008, 06:50 PM

I guess the way we look at it, the teacher prepares the test and gives it, and the students are passive and just take whatever the teacher gives them. Interesting perspective, that the student puts more into the test than the teacher.

In my Cognitive Psychology class we're discussing cultural differences in thinking/learning/perception. I'm going to use this as an example.

maple_leaf · 07-03-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geek_goddess

Yes, in India too, we 'give' our exams! it's not because it's a direct translation from our native language, but because we really put in a lot when we prepare for an exam, it feels like you give it more than you get from it, and there is a sense of relief once you are done. i can't imagine 'taking' an exam, it is correct, i know, but it sounds odd!

haha....You reminded me of my high school days. HS in Bangladesh was really tough. I heard that in India it's even more competitive.

e.cartman · 07-06-2008, 10:22 AM

To add to the confusion, you have the word polltaker.
Does a polltaker take the poll or survey (as in someone taking GRE test) or does he administer (give) the poll?

Seems to me, english isn't even consistent with itself because he administers the poll. What do you think?
:-)

Jeanette · 07-06-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e.cartman

To add to the confusion, you have the word polltaker.
Does a polltaker take the poll or survey (as in someone taking GRE test) or does he administer (give) the poll?

Seems to me, english isn't even consistent with itself because he administers the poll. What do you think?
:-)

Hey, good one! I wouldn't have thought of that.

07-03-2008, 02:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jeanette Got it Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 126	Giving a test vs. taking a test This is OT, but I noticed that a lot of non-native English speakers use the expression "give the test" rather than "take the test." In English, if you are giving the test that means you're the teacher and you're administering the test.

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07-03-2008, 02:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
maple_leaf Eager! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Morristown, New Jesey Posts: 81	I know what you mean. I make that mistake all the time. I will end up saying " I am giving GRE next month" instead of saying " I am taking GRE next month". I am a native Bengali speaker. Whenever I have to say something in English, I will construct the sentence in Bengali and then translate it to English. In Bengali, we use "give the test" in lieu of "take the test". As a result, when I translate it to English, I am more inclined to say "give the test". ..haha

07-03-2008, 02:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jeanette Got it Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 126	Yes, I figured it must be idiomatic in the original language.

07-03-2008, 03:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
econ_phd_2009 Eager! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 81	really interesting ! Maple LEaf ,hey man i have heard that your countryman fought for your language in 1952, and that's why 21st February is the World Language Day now a days. You should feel proud as a Bangladeshi !

07-03-2008, 06:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
geek_goddess Eager! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 78	Yes, in India too, we 'give' our exams! it's not because it's a direct translation from our native language, but because we really put in a lot when we prepare for an exam, it feels like you give it more than you get from it, and there is a sense of relief once you are done. i can't imagine 'taking' an exam, it is correct, i know, but it sounds odd!

07-03-2008, 06:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jeanette Got it Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 126	I guess the way we look at it, the teacher prepares the test and gives it, and the students are passive and just take whatever the teacher gives them. Interesting perspective, that the student puts more into the test than the teacher. In my Cognitive Psychology class we're discussing cultural differences in thinking/learning/perception. I'm going to use this as an example.

07-06-2008, 10:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
e.cartman Within my grasp! Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 202	To add to the confusion, you have the word polltaker. Does a polltaker take the poll or survey (as in someone taking GRE test) or does he administer (give) the poll? Seems to me, english isn't even consistent with itself because he administers the poll. What do you think? :-)

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