Erstens sprach er die Worte schwerfällig mit jenem Zusatz von rollenden angelsächsischen Nebentönen aus, der für die charakteristisch ist, die sich lange in der Fremde aufgehalten haben.
1
Firstly, he pronounced his words heavily, with that added rolling Anglo-Saxon inflection characteristic of those who have spent a long time abroad.
Translated by markvanroode 8413 5 months, 2 weeks ago
1
First, he pronounced his words heavily, with that added rolling Anglo-Saxon inflection characteristic of those who have spent a long time abroad.
Translated by markvanroode 8413 5 months, 2 weeks ago

Discussion

Thanks, Wendy.

by markvanroode 5 months, 2 weeks ago

Mark, your use of 'first' rather than 'firstly' sent me down a rabbit hole of investigation into the use of these two words.
It seems that 'first' is commonly used as an adverb in lots of situations, but I would instinctively use 'firstly' here to avoid ambiguity. Using 'First' can lead the reader to expect a list of things he is in the process of doing, whereas 'Firstly' clearly indicates things he does in general.

by Merlin57 5 months, 2 weeks ago