Let’s Speak Better!!

 English language is considered the lingua franca which is a connecting link between the people all around the world. It is one of the most widely used language all over the world either as a first language or second language. It has gained the status of a global language in the contemporary world. I would like to share some information regarding the uses of English language through this blog.

There are different types of English and the two main types that are commonly used in ESL classrooms are American English and British English. American English differs from British English in spelling, pronunciation and vocabulary. Let’s see how certain things differ in names in British and American English.

American	British
Truck	Lorry
Cab	Taxi
Garbage	Rubbish
Vacation	Holiday
Counterclockwise	Anticlockwise
Chips	Crisps

 

Idioms are words or phrases which are figurative in meaning and does not literally mean by what the words or phrases are. Use of idioms makes our English sound more impressive. Here are some of the idioms in English and their meaning.

Idioms	Meanings
It’s all Greek to me	I can’t understand anything
Break a leg!	Good luck!
Not a rocket science	Not so difficult
Can talk for England	Can talk hours and hours
Have bigger fish to fry	Have more important things to do
I’m all ears	I’m listening carefully
Once in a blue moon	Rarely
Lips are sealed	Keeping a secret

 

It is always better to avoid the use of ‘very’ to sound more formal while speaking English. Here are a few one word substitutes for the words with ‘very’

Informal English	Formal English
Very calm	Serene
Very ugly	Hideous
Very small	Petite
Very funny	Hilarious
Very quiet	Hushed
Very rich	Wealthy
Very expensive	Costly
Very dirty	Filthy
Very tall	Towering
Very easy	Effortless
Very wet	Soaked
Very slow	Sluggish
Very good	Excellent
Very stupid	Idiotic

 

Certain English phrases we commonly use are spoken in a different way by the native English speakers. Below given are a few of them.

Common phrases	Native Speakers
I haven’t seen you in ages	Long time no see!
I understand you	I feel you
I’ll pay the bill	It’s on me
I made a big mistake	I screwed up
I’m very hungry	I’m starving
Please keep the secret	Mum’s the word
Send me a message later	Hit me up later
I don’t know	Beats me
I don’t have any money	I’m broke

 

English is a beautiful language just like many other languages. It always has a scope for improvisation. Listening and reading are the best ways to improve the quality of our language. Better listeners can only be better speakers.

Sabina, 

Assistant Professor of English

Al Shifa College of Arts and Science

Keezhattor, Perinthalmanna