Phrases

Let’s Face It − English Is A Crazy Language

quirks-of-english

English is a bizarre language, full of funny quirks. For how do you explain the fact that there is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger? Not only that, English is full of paradoxes…

  • We find that boxing rings are square and quicksand can work slowly.
  • Isn’t it baffling that writers write, but hammers don’t ham?
  • Why is it that a slim chance and a fat chance are the same thing, but a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?
  • Doesn’t it seem crazy that the plural of goose is geese, but the plural of moose is not meese?
  • Isn’t it weird that we talk of a brother and brethren, but although we say mother, we never say methren?

Ah, the delightful idiosyncrasies of the English language − a language with so many rules and far too many exceptions.

 

 

Reference:

https://www.netjeff.com/humor/item.cgi?file=english.txt

Image source:

https://twitter.com/grammarly/status/531929579523293185

English, It’s Complicated…

Image - Rules for English Adjectives

As native speakers of the English language, we have internalised linguistic rules that are automatic to us, but can actually be very complex. One such rule concerns word ordering. Adjectives in English absolutely have to be in this order: opinion-size-age-shape-colour-origin-material-purpose Noun. What this means is that while you might describe a kitten as a “cute little brown cat”, you probably wouldn’t call it a “brown little cute cat”. And we do that without even thinking about it. Isn’t that amazing?

 

Reference:

http://mashable.com/2016/09/05/viral-english-speaking-advice-word-order/#UZ40gbVREsqS

Image source:

http://www.visualvisitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/confused.png

So, You’ve Been Asked To Give A Speech…

Giving speechGiving a speech can be a nerve-racking experience. But with diligent preparation and careful thought in crafting out your speech, you can get a leg up on delivering a great speech. Want to know what it takes to write an effective speech? One that will not only grab your audiences’ attention, but also leave them on the edge of their seats? Let’s check it out.  

Craft a Memorable Opening

The start of your speech is when the audience is most receptive. So, seize that opportunity to create a memorable opening, as it helps to engage your listeners early. Tell a humorous anecdote that illustrates a key point in your speech. Share a shocking fact or statistic.

Focus on a Few Key Points 

Don’t try to put too many ideas into your speech. Research shows that people remember very little from speeches, so stick to just two or three takeaways that your audience can bring back at the end of the day.

Write Like You Talk

Remember, you’re writing a speech that people will hear, not an article for them to read. So adopting a conversational tone would make it easier for your audience to follow your speech. Use short sentences. It’s better to write two simple sentences than one long, complicated sentence. Also, avoid using big words. Keep the language simple, like how you would when talking to someone.  

Repeat Yourself

Have you ever sat through a speech, and somewhere along the way your mind starts to drift off? We’ve all been there. In speech-writing, repetition is one of the keys to leaving an impression. Drive home key words, phrases and themes. Always look to tie back and reinforce earlier points in your speech. Repeating critical points can help your audience to remember key ideas.

End Strong 

The fact is, the concluding portion of your speech is what your audience will remember as they leave the room. So recap your biggest takeaway. Tie everything together. Share a success story. Make a call to action. End with a memorable quote.

So, keep these tips in mind when preparing for your next speech, and leave your audience spellbound.  

Shakespeare’s influence in our everyday speech

ShakespeareMost of us are familiar or have heard about William Shakespeare’s literary classics such as Romeo and Juliet and Merchant of Venice. But his influence extends beyond literature and poems. Some of the words and phrases that he coined more than 400 years ago continue to be used in our modern language and day-to-day speech. Widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, he had a profound and lasting influence on the English language. Credited with introducing nearly 3,000 words into the English language, which made it more colourful and expressive, Shakespeare’s linguistic imprint continues to live on in this day and age. Let’s check out some of the words and phrases we owe to Shakespeare.

If you’ve ever gone on ‘a wild goose chase’, or done something to ‘break the ice’, you would have quoted from Romeo and Juliet and The Taming of the Shrew respectively. The words that Shakespeare created not only enriched the English language but also imbued it with vibrant imagery − with phrases such as ‘green-eyed monster’ from Othello to describe jealously.  Similarly, words and phrases like ‘leapfrog’ and ‘heart of gold’ from Henry V provide graphic descriptions that added an emotional dimension to language.

Apart from this, Shakespeare also initiated the metaphorical use of words such as “cold-blooded” – a term that could send shivers down your spine just imagining someone who is devoid of emotion, such as a serial killer. Beyond creating new words and phrases, Shakespeare was also a linguistic innovator in his own right. He pioneered the use of grammatical form and structure − including the connecting of existing words to make new words, like bloodstained. These words and phrases have become so ingrained into our modern vocabulary that they almost regarded as clichés.

Here are some words and phrases borrowed from the Bard.

  • Bated breath (The Merchant of Venice)
  • Be-all and the end-all (Macbeth)
  • Elbow room (King John)
  • Faint hearted (Henry VI)
  • Foregone conclusion (Othello)
  • For goodness’ sake (Henry VIII)
  • Full circle (King Lear)
  • It was Greek to me (Julius Caesar)
  • Fashionable (Troilus and Cressida)
  • Eyeball (The Tempest)
  • Swagger (The Tempest)
  • Belongings (Measure for Measure)

 Shakespeare’s enduring impact is not only demonstrated in the way we express ourselves, but how we experience and process the world around us.  For if the mark of a great writer is that their works are still read, then perhaps the mark of a literary genius is that they’re still spoken, too.