I took two years of Spanish in high school. Even though I passed the course, I'd be hard pressed today to deliver 20 words or three sentences in that language. It wasn't that learning the language was that tough. But, when you don't use something for more than 40 years, you get a little rusty.

Of all the languages, English has to be the toughest and most frustrating to learn. Sure, we think it's easy. It's what we grew up with, and lived with since infancy. You think English is easy? Then read on, and try to put yourself in the place of someone who is being taught a language where many words have two or more meanings.A reader sent on the following examples. For instance:1) The bandage waswoundaround thewound.2) The farm was used toproduce produce.3) The dump was so full that it had torefusemorerefuse.4) We mustpolishthePolishfurniture.5) He couldleadif he would get theleadout.6) The soldier decided todeserthis dessert in thedesert.7) Since there is no time like thepresent, he thought it was time topresentthepresent.8) Abasswas painted on the head of thebassdrum.9) When shot at, thedove doveinto the bushes.10) I did notobjectto theobject.11) The insurance wasinvalidfor theinvalid.12) There was arowamong the oarsmen about how to row.13) They were toocloseto the door tocloseit.14) The buckdoesfunny things when thedoesare present.15) A seamstress and asewerfell down into asewerline.16) To help with planting, the farmer taught hissowto sow.17) Thewindwas too strong towindthe sail.18) Upon seeing thetearin the painting I shed atear.19) I had tosubjectthesubjectto a series of tests.20) How can Iintimatethis to mymost intimatefriend?MORE THOUGHTSYou can't read or watch the news reports on the tragic mine disaster in West Virginia, without thinking about how tough it was for many of our relatives who braved the dangers of the coal mines during the peak days of the industrial revolution when coal fueled the nation.Watching the excitement of the NCAA basketball tournament, climaxed by Duke's championship two point victory over Butler in the finals, only reinforces how much we need a similar playoff system to determine a national football championship. The fans want it. The players and coaches want it. Now if we could only convince NCAA officials and the people who run the bowl games that we're long overdue for a football playoff system.One of my favorite parts of spring is that I get to read the baseball boxscores in the paper every day.Twenty three million Americans are out of work, and all we're hearing this week (whether it's the sports networks or the national news) is whether or not Tiger Woods will make a successful comeback to golf at the Masters tournament in Augusta. Who cares?It's a real relief to a lot of parents and students that Lehighton teachers won't be going on strike. No one wins in these situations. It's been proven over and over again.