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Что сказал Кейт. Ответы на вопросы. Вопрос 1. The difference between “maximal” and “maximum”?
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Что сказал Кейт Ответы на вопросы
Вопрос 1 • The difference between “maximal” and “maximum”? • I think “maximal” implies ‘as much as possible within given constraints’, while “maximum” implies ‘the most under any conditions’. They are to some extent interchangeable. Note that “maximum” is a common word in everyday speech, while “maximal” is a bit more technical.
Вопрос 2 • The article “a” in the following structure: At too slow a pace • It means “at a pace that is too slow”.
Вопрос 3 • The use of the word “side”, e.g. “The Chinese side are paying close attention to this large-scale project”. • I regard “the Chinese side” as being a group of people, hence the verb “are”. “Is” could also be correct: it depends on whether we want to put an emphasis on “the Chinese side” as an entity in itself (“is”), or on the individuals that comprise it (“are”).
Вопрос 3 (продолжение) • The original test had “The Chinese party….”. I must admit that “party” is always a difficult word for me to deal with. It doesn’t seen right as it is, as it carries a very strong connotation of a political party. • In some ways I would prefer to be less vague and use a term like “negotiators”, “officials”, etc., but that might be more specific than the author intended. So “side” is a bit of a compromise, an I am nor altogether happy with it.
Вопрос 4 • The verb “to advise” • The verb “to advise” means “to give advice about” and “to recommend”. The second is much more common.
Вопрос 5 • Transcription • In English, even if somebody’s name begins with the “Sh” sound (e.g. Shaun, Sharon) we still use just “S” as the initial. • Another one to be careful with is the “ye” sound (Russian “E”), where it is probably better to use “Y” as the initial. For instance people here always write “Boris Yeltsin”. • I think it is good that you are transcribing the diphthongs like “ий” just as “y” and not “iy” which looks really unpronounceable to an English speaker.
Вопрос 5 (продолжение) • Best not to use “j” for “й” and other “y” sounds (although I know it is the “official” transcription), as people would try to pronounce it as in “jam”. • Another difficulty is the “дж” combination which often appears in Central Asian names. This is precisely the English “J” and to write “Dzh” is totally misleading to an English speaking audience.