THE ORIGIN OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

HOW TO BUILD YOUR VOCABULARY

          The best users of English Language in the world (both in written and spoken form) are those who have worked hard to build an extensive personal vocabulary. That is why we often see some persons with only secondary school education speaking more eloquently or writing more prolifically than some university graduates. The late William Shakespeare of world fame, had only a formal education that is equivalent to Junior Secondary School Class III in our time, but was able to acquire an extensive vocabulary with which he produced marvelous collections of literary works.

          How then can you, as a student or an English user, build a personal vocabulary? Basically, (as I have experienced) you need just one or two good dictionary (s), a note book (that will serve as your vocabulary book or word-bank notebook) and pencil or pen, and then follow these simple suggestions given hereunder:

1. Whenever you read any piece of information (be it newspaper, magazine or textbook or whatever), underline any unfamiliar word you come across in it and read on until you are through or tired.
2. Now lift (copy down) all the underlined words into a piece of paper and keep it (in the meantime) in your vocabulary notebook.
3. Whenever you are ready for search, look up the underlined/copied words in your dictionary(s) and write out the meaning of the words (briefly) into your vocabulary notebook. Also take note of other features like: (a) part of speech the word belongs to; (b) the word’s root or origin, (if shown); (c) pronunciation; (d) tense (if the word is a verb);    (e) possible synonyms, and (f) possible antonyms. So, your vocabulary notebook should have columns for the following:

• Word;
• Part of Speech;
• Root;
• Tense;
• Meaning;
• Synonyms; and
• Antonyms

          As you continue to make more entries into your vocabulary notebook, cultivate the habit of reviewing your work from time to time and also endeavour to use your new words both in writing and in speaking and with time, they will become part of you.

          I have no doubt in my mind, that if you can keep this recommended practice for a few years, you can stand up anywhere in the world, and use the English Language excellently.

USE OF SMART PHONES

Those who are privileged to have smart phones can use the phone notebooks or notepads as their vocabulary notebook or word-bank notebook. They can equally use the phone’s dictionary for ease of reference.

USE OF COMPUTER ADD-ONS

Those who have access to computers can use the following add-ons to make good writing easier:

• Synonyms & Antonyms: With Microsoft Word, right click your mouse on any English word (in your write-up) and you will see synonyms and antonyms of such word, which you can use to your advantage.
• Correction of Grammatical Expressions: With Microsoft Word, the computer automatically questions wrong grammatical expressions, and suggests corrections for you. (However, since we in Nigeria use British English and the computer is programmed with American English, we may need to scrutinize some of the computer’s grammatical suggestions before applying them. Or you may re-programme your computer with British English by default).

USE OF THE DICTIONARY

          The dictionary is the greatest teacher of English to a user. As a matter of fact, the dictionary is as important to a user as a cutlass (matchet) is to a peasant farmer. A good dictionary has the following benefits and even more:

1. Meaning/Definition of Words: This is the most common benefit which learners and users have known a dictionary to have. The dictionary has several meanings or definitions; and it is in the dictionary that one can have full explanations of such.
2. Pronunciations: Most dictionaries (both hard copy and online) provide pronunciations of words that are treated in them. It is very important to know the correct pronunciation of words so that one does not mislead the audience when speaking nor make one’s self become a laughing-stock. Sometimes, one English word could be pronounced in different ways. For example, the word Sow is pronounced like ‘Sew’ when used to mean plant, spread or introduce, but it is pronounced ‘saʊ’ when it is used to mean a mother-pig. (Please find out from your dictionary)
3. Correct Spelling: When in doubt about the correct spelling of any English word, the best source to turn to, is the dictionary. Never use a word without ascertaining the correct spelling.
4. Word Root (Derivation): Some dictionaries indicate the language from which a word is derived into English. Such knowledge has additional advantage to users of English.
5. Parts of Speech: Dictionaries in general, indicate the part of speech a particular word belongs to, and this is very helpful as it enables the user to know how to use the word correctly in a sentence. Some dictionaries use the following abbreviations to indicate parts of speech (1) n for noun; (2) v for verb; (3) for adjective; (4) adv. for adverb; (5) pron. for pronoun; (6) conj. for conjunction; (7) prep. for preposition; and (8) inter. for interjection.
6. Idioms: There is no other language that is as colourfully rich with idioms as the English language. There are more than ten thousand idiomatic expressions in English and almost all of them are explained in dictionaries. The word cat for example, goes with more than ten idioms. Check them up in a dictionary, study them and start using as many of them as possible.
7. Correct Tense: In connection with verbs, dictionaries show the tense of a word, and this is a very good guidance for learners and users of English language. For example, if you look up the word overtake in the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, you will find that it states overtook as the ‘past-tense’ (pt) and overtaken as the ‘past-participle’ (pp).

          Other Information: Dictionaries contain a lot of other information like English names, ranks in the armed forces, measurements, abbreviations, acronyms, pictures and much more.

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HOW TO WRITE EFFECTIVELY

          In our contemporary world which is very dynamic and globally-knitted, the need to write some information always arises. The composition could be an article for newspaper, an essay, a situation report, a letter or memo, a feedback, a clarification note, an answer to a test question or any other thing.

          Whatever may be the form of write-up or composition, some guidelines need to be borne in mind and applied so that our work will always be appreciable.

GUIDELINES ON HOW TO WRITE EFFECTIVELY:

1. Plan Out Your Points:

Before you start to write, you should list out the main points which you want to marshal out in your write-up, so that you do not forget or leave out any important one. Then develop the points logically one after the other.

2. Use Paragraphs Appropriately:

When writing, each main point should be put in paragraph instead of muddling up all the points. In that way, your main points will stand out and your write-up will be comprehended with ease.

3. Use the Right Terminologies/Registers:

If you are writing on a topic related to a profession or field of human endeavour, it is better to use pertinent terminologies or registers rather than using ordinary, vague words. This will make your writing more meaningful, matured and professional.

4. Use Only Familiar Words:

It is unwise to use words which you do not understand or know their meaning clearly. If you use unfamiliar words --- whether they are high-sounding or not --- you will surely be misconstrued. Therefore, always use only words, which you truly understand.

5. Avoid Wrong Spellings:

Using wrong spellings in writing is as bad as using unfamiliar words. Words which are wrongly spelt, will surely mislead the reader and be given wrong meaning. For example, consider the following words: order for other, leak for lick; rubber for robber, to mention but a few. So before you use a word, be sure of its spelling or else, check it up in your dictionary.

6. Be Courteous:

Discourtesy can cause a lot of problems ranging from anger to lawsuits. Therefore, you should be selective of the words you use in writing. Avoid being overly condemnatory of persons and always try as much as possible, to use pleasant language. When writing letters especially to older ones as well as your seniors, be respectful in your salutation, in the body of the letter and in your complimentary close.

7. Consider The Level of Your Recipient’s Understanding:

A piece of writing is only useful if it is understood. Therefore, you should consider the level of understanding of those whom your writing is intended (for). If you are writing to minors or semi-literate persons, use simple words; if to well-educated persons, you could use some high-sounding words, if desired; but if your writing is for the public, then maintain an average word-intensity.

BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCES

          Along with the above tips, let us give little attention to the writing of business letters or correspondences. While the guidelines given above on writing generally are to be applied, it should further be borne in mind that business letters must not be superfluous, but concise, straight to the point and comprehensible or easy to understand.

          Generally there are two types business correspondences or letters, namely, Internal Memorandum (Memo) and Official/External Letter.

Internal Memorandum (Memo):

Internal Memorandum or Memo is used to communicate internally between the personnel or staff of the same organization, and is usually prepared on a printed pad/paper with indication of:

(1) From:                                                    (2) To:

(3) Ref:                                                       (4) Date:

(5) Subject: (optional)

And at the end of the write-up, it must be signed with the name of the signatory (and sometimes with the designation) clearly written.

Official/External Letter:

Official or External Letter is used to communicate externally between one organization and another or between an organization and an external person (s), and is usually prepared on a printed letter-headed paper, and should contain the followings:

• (1) Reference;
• (2) Date;
• (3) Name of the addressee;
• (4) Salutation;
• (5) Heading (Subject-Matter);
• (6) Body of the letter;
• (7) Complimentary close (followed by name of the writer’s organization);
• (8) Signature;
• (9) Name of the signatory; and
• (10) Job Title/Designation of the signatory.

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