Category: vocabulary
Email writing 4 : vocabulary
Email writing 3 : vocabulary
How good is my English ?
We are not particularly good at critically evaluating ourselves.
Often, we are under the impression that we are more competent than we actually are. Alas! This misconception is present in language skills as well.
It has been my experience that English language skills in companies are in need of drastic improvement. Many engineers, managers, associates, executives, lawyers, accountants, and software programmers are unable to express themselves clearly, concisely, and politely. At times, they find it challenging to communicate complex ideas. Their range of vocabulary does not permit them to express nuances–the same words/phrases get repeated in many different conversational settings.
And yet, when people are questioned about their English language abilities, after a few seconds of introspection, they reply that their English is quite good.
Why is this happening?
There may be a few reasons for this wide gap between perceived and actual language skills.
Lack of exposure
The first reason could be that people are just not exposed to good language.
They do not read books that are rich in idiomatic expressions and that have a variety of sentence structures. They do not have people around them who are proficient speakers of the language. They do not watch documentaries and movies which transport them out of their comfort zone and introduce them to words and grammatical structures that they would not usually encounter in their everyday lives.
And even when they are exposed to good language, they rarely pay attention. They are not active listeners and readers. They are not able to recognize and appreciate new grammar structures or new vocabulary.
Hence, people are not aware of the richness of the language.
They don’t know that they don’t know.
Fluency does not mean accuracy
Fluency is often confused with accuracy. There are speakers who speak with confidence and fluency.
When you hear them, they seem perfectly at ease with the language. They have a good rate of speech and pronounce words reasonably well. However, when you listen carefully, you start to notice things.
They make basic grammatical errors (such as I didn’t went there). And they use vocabulary incorrectly. For instance, using the word improvise when they mean improve. These errors may be fossilized, meaning that they are deeply embedded in the mind.
In an environment where the overall language level is at the pre-intermediate or intermediate level, these fluent, but inaccurate speakers, can be mistaken to have strong language skills. This leads them to believe that everything is okay, language wise.
Feeling of possessing superior language skills
At office, most people have roughly similar language levels. In general, it’s a mix of pre-intermediate and intermediate level speakers.
A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. This is true when someone with an intermediate level of English starts giving lessons to someone who is at the pre-intermediate level. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against one human being teaching another human being. But, this is not always the best way to learn.
First, the person may be providing incorrect advice, leading to the spread of incorrect grammar and vocabulary. Poor grammar is especially contagious.
Second, the person doling out the advice may consider himself to be a language guru. He may consider himself to be somewhat of an authority on the English language. Now, that is a worrying thought. Will he ever question his own level of competence?
So, is it varying combinations of ignorance and arrogance that leads a good person to overestimate his language level? Possibly. In all fairness, I would say that it is more ignorance than arrogance.
Do you want to better understand your language level?
1. Start by second guessing yourself.
How effective are your emails? Does your reader or listener understand your message? Are you using words that precisely convey what you want to say? Are you using the same words in email after email after email? If the answer is yes for the last question, then you need to widen the range of your vocabulary.
2. Benchmark your communication skills with that of others.
What words and phrases does your CEO use when she makes a presentation? Is she using simple sentences or complex sentences? Is there anything you can learn from her? Watch Youtube videos of people you admire, especially on TEDx. How do you compare?
3. Test your English.
In my opinion, the best assessment happens face-to- face. Do visit a language school that provides credible assessment, such as the British Council.
If doing that is not possible for the time being, you could test yourself online.
Access these online tests to get an idea of your language level:
Cambridge English Language Assessment
You may not be as good as you think you are.
When it comes to assessing your language level, approach it with humility. And be open to learning.
I repeat: you may not be as good as you think you are.
A harsh statement, I admit. But, if you take it to heart, your future-self will thank you.
Email writing 1 : Are you using the correct register?
Learn English with your child
Learning any language takes time. And that includes English as well.
Many people working in the corporate sector want to learn English words and phrases that are directly related to their work.
They often do not have the time or inclination to strengthen their foundations (grammar, vocabulary, writing skills, reading skills, listening skills, and speaking skills).
Learn with your child
How can you strengthen the foundations of your language?
If you have a child at home, consider yourself lucky. You can learn with her. Together, practise reading from her textbook.
Use the content in the textbook as a launchpad for further learning.
For example, if there is a lesson on food, watch YouTube videos on the topic.
When watching, be sure to be an active listener.
Make a mental note of new vocabulary, grammar structures, and pronunciation. See if you can identify any of the words / grammar that you and your child have come across in the textbook.
After you finish the activity, you could have a conversation about it.
Did you like the YouTube video? Why? Why not? What were the main points? Was there any new information? Were there any words that you want learn more about? Was it easy to understand the accent of the speaker?
Immersion is key
If you want to learn any language– the secret is immersion. The language needs to be around you all the time.
With your child, set aside some time when both of you speak only in English. For instance, at the dinner table, you could revise the words / grammar that you have together looked at.
Don’t worry if mistakes are made. Making mistakes is a good sign. That means you are engaging with the language. After all, when learning a new language, it is normal to make mistakes.
Practise, practise, practise. Over time, you and your child will become fluent speakers.
Be consistent
It is said that the child is the father of man.
I believe that the child is an excellent English teacher for a man or woman. Learning with your child is a fun, natural way to learn anything.
If you choose to learn with your child, make sure that it is a long-term project. Don’t be disheartened if you don’t see immediate results.
Slow and steady wins the race! Always.
For more information and advice, visit: British Council LearnEnglish Kids.
Do you have plans for your child to study abroad? This is a post on how to help her succeed in international English exams.
Why do Indians find business English so hard to master?
Many Indians in the corporate sector find it challenging to communicate effectively in English.
They find it difficult to write emails that are clear, concise, and grammatically accurate.
And when they speak, there are many Indianisms and pronunciation errors. This would not be much of a problem if we were communicating amongst ourselves. If someone in the Gurgaon office is on a video call with someone in the Chennai office, the two people will, by and large, understand each other.
The issue arises when we communicate with someone from outside the country. An American colleague may not be used to our Indianisms (for example: do the needful). Or a foreign client may find it difficult to understand certain words that an Indian speaker pronounces.
But why do Indians find it so hard to improve their English language skills?
After all, whether you live in Mumbai or Bangalore, your world is saturated with English. Newspapers are in English. Shop signs are in English. Billboards are in English. At work, practically all formal communication is done in this language. At home, we have easy access to American/British serials, movies, and songs.
And yet, even after all of this exposure, communicating in the language is a struggle for many.
There are many reasons why Indian adults find English difficult. We’ll consider two of them.
Two reasons why Indians find it difficult
Overestimation of language skills
Many times, people think that their English skills are quite good. They are unable to critically assess their own language competency. This is more common than you think.
To make matters worse, everyone around them may be making the same grammatical and pronunciation errors. This makes it even more difficult to evaluate oneself!
Click here to learn more about what your language level really is.
Not aware of the need to learn how to learn
Let’s face it, as adult Indians, we are not the best of learners.
At school and college we memorised facts and figures. The only time I studied at university, was one month before the final exam. That is not learning!
True learning is all about being genuinely curious. It’s about self-reflection. It’s about recognizing one’s own interests, strengths, and weaknesses.
It has been my experience that adult Indians are reluctant independent learners. They want everything given to them. They want the trainer to ask the question and provide the answer. In short, they don’t want to mull over things. They do not want to discover the language for themselves.
This impatient attitude makes it difficult to learn something as varied and dynamic as a language.
What can be done? (I hear you ask.)
I am sorry, but there is no magic pill.
My advice on language learning
Be an active learner
Pay attention to words and expressions that are used, both spoken and written. The other day, I heard a person on a business channel use the idiom–on the anvil. I wasn’t 100% sure of its meaning, so I googled it.
If you ever come across an unfamiliar word or expression, do not ignore it. Jot it down, or immediately find out what it means.
I have been conducting workshops on communication skills for many years. One recurrent theme that keeps coming up is that participants say that they do not have enough vocabulary to express themselves. I understand, but there is no easy way out. I’ve read that one has to come across a word up to twenty-one times, before one can use it appropriately and naturally.
The only way to improve your vocabulary is to expose yourself to diverse language.
Read articles on politics, culture, climate change, and more. Watch different kinds of documentaries. By doing this, you will come across a variety of new words, collocations, and idioms.
When you come across new vocabulary, make a mental note. If you are not sure of its meaning, try to guess it from its context. Pay attention to how it is pronounced.
Do not be a passive consumer of content. Be an active, alert, and curious learner.
Do not use big words to show off
Make sure that you truly know the meaning of the word or expression you use.
Words are used in specific contexts. There can be nuances in meaning and connotation. If you are not 100% sure of the meaning of the last word in the previous sentence, please look it up 🙂
Do think that just because you have read a book such as Word Power Made Easy, your range of vocabulary has dramatically improved. I’m not against that particular book. I enjoyed reading it. However, it can only introduce you to new words. It cannot immediately improve your vocabulary. That will take time.
Remember, you need to encounter a word twenty-one times before you can use it effectively.
Beware: if you use words straight from a list, you may be using them incorrectly.
This is going to take time
Be realistic. You are not going to see a dramatic improvement in your language skills in two weeks’ time. It is a process.
Keep your eyes and ears open to language.
When you receive an email, spend a minute or two analyzing it. Is the message clear? Are there any words that are unfamiliar? Is the tone appropriate? Has the person used some grammar which you are unfamiliar with?
Is there anything you can learn from the email?
If you want to improve your speaking skills, compare your pronunciation with that of a news anchor. Watch NDTV and WION. You can also watch international channels such as CNN, BBC, and Aljazeera. Compare. Self-reflect.
Start observing yourself: what you say and how you say it. Some of your errors may be fossilized, so you will have to pay extra attention to them.
Become your own language coach. If you are unsure of the meaning or pronunciation of a word, find out at Cambridge Dictionary.
Before making a presentation, practise at least three times. Record yourself on your mobile phone. When listening to yourself, be critical. For example, are you speaking too fast? (Many Indians have a bullet-train rate of speech.)
When working on your language skills, take it slow. You do not have to immediately use an expression you have come across in the company newsletter. Take your time. Let it sink in.
Have fun
You learn better when you are having fun.
Watch Hollywood movies. Read comics. Listen to music while travelling to work. The more you immerse yourself in the language, the more comfortable you’ll be in it. It’s as simple as that.
I have noticed that people speak Hinglish with colleagues and switch to English with the boss. That’s okay.
I’m not asking you to speak in English all the time. I believe that it’s an asset that there are so many languages in India. But, I do urge you to get closer to the English language.
If you can, try karaoke, especially the old songs from the 50s and 60s. They tend to be slower, and the lyrics are often grammatically correct! Here is a song I discovered the other day:
Don’t be shy. You may not be able to sing outside, but you can always sing at home 🙂
I’m really serious about the fun part. It makes a big difference.
Make a plan
Are you serious about improving your English?
Don’t take it casually. Act strategically by setting precise, realistic goals. Think about what you want to achieve in the next four weeks. In the next four months. In the next year.
For example, to improve your vocabulary, learn three new words or phrases a week. Try to use them in your everyday conversation. Make them your own.
Be consistent. Be systematic. And you will notice a difference in your English skills.
Guaranteed!
Here are three excellent websites for improving your English.
4 idioms related to war
Photo taken at the Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum in Ludhiana, Punjab
At times, it may seem that there is more war than peace at work.
Here are four idioms that may reflect what is happening at your office. See if you can use them.
Four idioms derived from war
to cross the Rubicon
During Roman times, the modest river Rubicon marked the boundary from where Gaul (France) ended and Italy began. As a rule, Roman generals returning to Italy disbanded their armies before crossing the Rubicon to enter Italian soil.
Of course, the victorious and ambitious Julius Caesar thought otherwise. He crossed the Rubicon with his battle-hardened army and thus started a civil war.
To cross the Rubicon is take a decision from which there is no turning back.
An example sentence: By agreeing to consider the proposed changes, the Minister has crossed the Rubicon.
to look daggers at somebody
Quite simply, this means to look sharply or furiously at someone.
“At the meeting, the production manager looked daggers at me. What did I do?”
a loose cannon
In sixteenth-century English warships, cannons were mounted on carriages. When the ships swayed back and forth, some of these huge guns would roll about dangerously, endangering the crew.
In today’s world, a loose cannon is a person who behaves in an unpredictable way–often causing some form of disorder. I’m sure you’ve come across at least one loose cannon this year.
“Careful, he is known to be a loose cannon.”
on the warpath
The warpath was the route North American Indians would take to meet their adversary.
Nowadays, the term has come to mean being in an aggressive mood and looking for a fight.
“Avoid Prashant. He’s on the warpath today!”
I used Dictionary of Idioms and their origins by Linda + Roger Flavell as a reference for this post. If you would like to learn more about idioms and their origins, do pick this book up.
I’m sure you have heard this idiom before. He has a chip on his shoulder. But, do you really know what it means?
Ever wondered about vocabulary related to the moon?
Vocabulary with the moon
The moon at Udaipur palace
Image credit: https://my-moon.org/installations/india-tour/
The moon has always evoked awe and a sense of mystery. This photo is of the art installation, Museum of the Moon, which is currently touring India.
Vocabulary with the moon
Let’s look at some idioms and words with the moon:
1. once in a blue moon
It refers to an event which hardly ever occurs.
The principal visits us once in a blue moon.
2. moonlighting
This word has a slight negative implication. It means working at a second job, which one does not declare to the authorities, so as to avoid paying taxes. One is doing something secretive in the dim moonlight.
3. moonshine
This term means illicit liquor. Again, it is related to something which should not be exposed to bright sunlight. And that is how the moon enters the picture.
4. over the moon
When you’re over the moon, you’re really happy and excited.
5. to promise the moon
Our politicians often do this before an election. To promise the moon is to make promises which would be very difficult to keep.
6. asking for the moon
If you want or expect too much, then, yes: you are asking for the moon.
The client is so unreasonable; she’s asking for the moon!
On a clear night sky look up and think of an idiom with the moon. It’s a good way to improve your vocabulary.
Do you have a chip on your shoulder? You may be surprised to find out what it really means.
Do you know what crossing the Rubicon means?
7 tips to soften your language
In informal language, especially with friends, you can say just about anything. And you don’t necessarily have to be polite.
This is not the case when using language at the workplace. Here the language needs to be controlled, structured, and polite.
Do you ask yourself these questions:
How can I soften my English?
How can I soften my words?
How can I be polite and soft spoken?
If your answer to these questions is yes, then you are in the right place.
Let’s look at seven words or phrases that can soften your language.
Tips to soften my English
1.Say thank you
Use this phrase as often as possible. Don’t worry, the universe is not running out of thank you’s.
When you receive an email or WhatsApp message from a colleague, respond with:
Thanks, Janet!
Or, if it has to be more formal:
Thank you for sending the updated address.
If you are corresponding with someone outside your office, use ‘thank you’ as a form of acknowledgment.
Instead of writing:
This is to acknowledge the receipt of your application dated 12.02.25.
you could write:
Thank you for sending your application on 12.02.25.
Doesn’t that sound better? To me, it sounds friendly, clear, and professional.
2. Say please
Pulease… Is used by teenagers often. And they are right in using it.
Just like thank you, please should be used often. Use please with everyone: to your superiors as well as subordinates. Especially with those who report to you….
Compare these two lines:
Make sure the annual reports are printed by 2 pm.
Please make sure the annual reports are printed by 2 pm.
Do you see how the word please softens the sentence? It makes it sound less like a command. The person reading this message would respond positively to it.
3. Ask for permission using: can, could, and may
The most informal way to ask for permission is can.
Can I use the conference room for twenty minutes?
At work, if you wish to be more formal, use could.
Could I use the conference room for twenty minutes?
If you are in a formal situation, go for: may.
May I use the conference room for twenty minutes?
4. Give permission using can or may
When giving permission, say:
yes, you can
or
yes, you may.
May is more polite than can.
Don’t say: yes, you could. That may cause some confusion in the mind of the listener. Well, could I, or couldn’t I?
5. Use would
Would is an excellent word to use to soften your language.
Would you agree?
That’s softer than: Do you agree?
Here are some expressions with would:
Would you mind if we start early tomorrow?
Would you like to read the summary first?
I would suggest we consider other options.
6. Know when to use shall
This is a polite verb to use.
For example:
Shall we review the feedback?
Shall we start the meeting?
In fact, the term ‘shall we’ can be used at the start of almost any activity:
Shall we start the presentation? Shall we finalize the date? Shall we break for lunch? Shall we…
When starting an activity (meeting, presentation), it’s a good idea to use: we. It’s a nice way to make everyone feel included.
7. Use let’ s a lot
In a more informal setting, say with colleagues you know well, you can use let’s instead of shall.
Let’s start the interview.
Let’s listen to Nalini’s update.
Let’s order a cake!
Instead of saying: Now, I would like to invite X to inaugurate the conference.
You could say: Now, let us invite X to inaugurate the conference.
In the second sentence, we replaced the pronoun ‘I’ with ‘us’.
That sounds softer. And more inclusive.
I used ‘let us’ because it sounds more formal. In everyday interactions at work, use let’s.
Being polite is important.
It creates a positive atmosphere at work. It shows that you value your colleagues, clients, and vendors.
When you are polite, you conduct yourself in a more professional manner.
Could being polite become contagious? I certainly hope so.
For more on being polite, watch this BBC Learning English video.
Do you want to be more effective when intervening in meetings? Read this post on how to interrupt in a meeting.
amalfabian 