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26 [twenty-six]

In nature

26 [zesentwintig]	In de 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?	Z_e j_ d_e t_r_n d_a_? Zie je die toren daar? Z__ j_ d__ t____ d____ Zie je die toren daar? ___ __ ___ _____ _____ Zie je die toren daar?
Do you see the mountain there?	Z_e j_ d_e b_r_ d_a_? Zie je die berg daar? Z__ j_ d__ b___ d____ Zie je die berg daar? ___ __ ___ ____ _____ Zie je die berg daar?
Do you see the village there?	Z_e j_ d_t d_r_ d_a_? Zie je dat dorp daar? Z__ j_ d__ d___ d____ Zie je dat dorp daar? ___ __ ___ ____ _____ Zie je dat dorp daar?

Do you see the river there?	Z_e j_ d_e r_v_e_ d_a_? Zie je die rivier daar? Z__ j_ d__ r_____ d____ Zie je die rivier daar? ___ __ ___ ______ _____ Zie je die rivier daar?
Do you see the bridge there?	Z_e j_ d_e b_u_ d_a_? Zie je die brug daar? Z__ j_ d__ b___ d____ Zie je die brug daar? ___ __ ___ ____ _____ Zie je die brug daar?
Do you see the lake there?	Z_e j_ d_t m_e_ d_a_? Zie je dat meer daar? Z__ j_ d__ m___ d____ Zie je dat meer daar? ___ __ ___ ____ _____ Zie je dat meer daar?

I like that bird.	D_e v_g_l v_n_ i_ m_o_. Die vogel vind ik mooi. D__ v____ v___ i_ m____ Die vogel vind ik mooi. ___ _____ ____ __ _____ Die vogel vind ik mooi.
I like that tree.	D_e b_o_ v_n_ i_ m_o_. Die boom vind ik mooi. D__ b___ v___ i_ m____ Die boom vind ik mooi. ___ ____ ____ __ _____ Die boom vind ik mooi.
I like this stone.	D_z_ s_e_n v_n_ i_ m_o_. Deze steen vind ik mooi. D___ s____ v___ i_ m____ Deze steen vind ik mooi. ____ _____ ____ __ _____ Deze steen vind ik mooi.

I like that park.	D_t p_r_ v_n_ i_ m_o_. Dat park vind ik mooi. D__ p___ v___ i_ m____ Dat park vind ik mooi. ___ ____ ____ __ _____ Dat park vind ik mooi.
I like that garden.	D_e t_i_ v_n_ i_ m_o_. Die tuin vind ik mooi. D__ t___ v___ i_ m____ Die tuin vind ik mooi. ___ ____ ____ __ _____ Die tuin vind ik mooi.
I like this flower.	D_z_ b_o_m v_n_ i_ m_o_. Deze bloem vind ik mooi. D___ b____ v___ i_ m____ Deze bloem vind ik mooi. ____ _____ ____ __ _____ Deze bloem vind ik mooi.

I find that pretty.	I_ v_n_ d_t m_o_. Ik vind dat mooi. I_ v___ d__ m____ Ik vind dat mooi. __ ____ ___ _____ Ik vind dat mooi.
I find that interesting.	I_ v_n_ d_t i_t_r_s_a_t_ Ik vind dat interessant. I_ v___ d__ i___________ Ik vind dat interessant. __ ____ ___ ____________ Ik vind dat interessant.
I find that gorgeous.	I_ v_n_ d_t p_a_h_i_. Ik vind dat prachtig. I_ v___ d__ p________ Ik vind dat prachtig. __ ____ ___ _________ Ik vind dat prachtig.

I find that ugly.	I_ v_n_ d_t l_l_j_. Ik vind dat lelijk. I_ v___ d__ l______ Ik vind dat lelijk. __ ____ ___ _______ Ik vind dat lelijk.
I find that boring.	I_ v_n_ d_t s_a_. Ik vind dat saai. I_ v___ d__ s____ Ik vind dat saai. __ ____ ___ _____ Ik vind dat saai.
I find that terrible.	I_ v_n_ d_t v_e_e_i_k_ Ik vind dat vreselijk. I_ v___ d__ v_________ Ik vind dat vreselijk. __ ____ ___ __________ Ik vind dat vreselijk.

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Positive languages, negative languages

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