This is a post without pictures.
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Reading the topic of this blog post might make your mind wonder what sort of crappy 'Engrish' in action picture have I got to share, right?
Wrong.
I'm blogging this down as a plea or a request to ask for your help actually. You see, as much as I do enjoy poking fun at people with a poorer command of English, I myself ain't perfect in the language itself. After all, it's not my mother tongue to begin with (heck, I'm actually worse in my mother tongue, what a failure!). As I aspire to be the best communicator I can, I have come to my senses that my aspiration shall not be limited by my imperfect command of English.
To be honest with you, I'm a person who is very aware of his own weaknesses in life. Of course, being aware and giving a damn about it are 2 different things. Most of the time, I wouldn't be bothered so long as that weakness isn't harmful enough (in my judgment at that period of judging) to affect my life. Too long have I noticed that I'm flawed in English and left it in that state. It is now time for me improve myself in order to be a better communicator.
I'm going to list down what are among my common flaws in the English language.
1. Grammar
I do have common grammar errors in my sentences which I'm very sure some of my blog readers with a superior command of English might have noticed. I have to admit, my foundation in grammar is pretty weak due to the fact that I wasn't paying much attention back in the schooling days. But nevertheless, I think I picked up quite a bit of English from playing games and watching television. As a result, I'm capable of delivering my messages but the messages are filled with grammatical errors. This ought to teach you youngsters about not paying attention in English classes!
2. Vocabulary
As sophisticated as I wanted to sound in my blog, I can never bring myself to do so not because I don't wish to, but I'm limited by my vocabulary. I do not have an extensive vocab in general to amaze and/or amuse the higher elite class of English speakers because... I don't read much to begin with. Okay, I read a lot, online, on blogs which aren't the best source to reinforce my vocabulary since most of the blogs I read are written by peers who have the very same limited vocabulary as I do.
3. Localization
This is somewhat unavoidable but crucial if I'm to get serious in improving my command of English. Most of the time, Malaysians have certain phrases that we created and use just because every other Malaysian uses it. For example, we overuse and misuse the word 'already' a lot.
"I'm here already" - To indicate you've reached, commonly used by Malaysians
To indicate that you've reach a certain place, I personally think that the word 'already' is not necessary at all at the first place. In fact, the word 'already' is only supposed to be used as a reminder or emphasis and not for casual informing purposes. I know I might not be the best person to lecture on this, but I'm merely showing an example of localization of the English language in Malaysia.
4. The missing links
This is a problem that I face most of the time. My brain and hands don't like each other a lot. That's why I can never play those hand eye coordination games well at all. To bring this further, I even have problems putting my thoughts into words through typing or writing. I mean, of course I'm able to vocalize my thoughts, but my hands do tend to skip a word or two once every now and then. I do not know what the hell happen, but sometimes, a connecting word would be missing from my typed/written sentences and this is a problem I've been facing since I was young. Do you peeps face this problem as well?
To solve all these deficiencies in my command of English, I know the best remedial is to enroll in classes. But classes are fucking expensive especially for someone who've just been working for a year, you know? But let's take it slow and address my problem 1 by 1.
Here's what I'd suggest myself to do;
---------
Reading the topic of this blog post might make your mind wonder what sort of crappy 'Engrish' in action picture have I got to share, right?
Wrong.
I'm blogging this down as a plea or a request to ask for your help actually. You see, as much as I do enjoy poking fun at people with a poorer command of English, I myself ain't perfect in the language itself. After all, it's not my mother tongue to begin with (heck, I'm actually worse in my mother tongue, what a failure!). As I aspire to be the best communicator I can, I have come to my senses that my aspiration shall not be limited by my imperfect command of English.
To be honest with you, I'm a person who is very aware of his own weaknesses in life. Of course, being aware and giving a damn about it are 2 different things. Most of the time, I wouldn't be bothered so long as that weakness isn't harmful enough (in my judgment at that period of judging) to affect my life. Too long have I noticed that I'm flawed in English and left it in that state. It is now time for me improve myself in order to be a better communicator.
I'm going to list down what are among my common flaws in the English language.
1. Grammar
I do have common grammar errors in my sentences which I'm very sure some of my blog readers with a superior command of English might have noticed. I have to admit, my foundation in grammar is pretty weak due to the fact that I wasn't paying much attention back in the schooling days. But nevertheless, I think I picked up quite a bit of English from playing games and watching television. As a result, I'm capable of delivering my messages but the messages are filled with grammatical errors. This ought to teach you youngsters about not paying attention in English classes!
2. Vocabulary
As sophisticated as I wanted to sound in my blog, I can never bring myself to do so not because I don't wish to, but I'm limited by my vocabulary. I do not have an extensive vocab in general to amaze and/or amuse the higher elite class of English speakers because... I don't read much to begin with. Okay, I read a lot, online, on blogs which aren't the best source to reinforce my vocabulary since most of the blogs I read are written by peers who have the very same limited vocabulary as I do.
3. Localization
This is somewhat unavoidable but crucial if I'm to get serious in improving my command of English. Most of the time, Malaysians have certain phrases that we created and use just because every other Malaysian uses it. For example, we overuse and misuse the word 'already' a lot.
"I'm here already" - To indicate you've reached, commonly used by Malaysians
To indicate that you've reach a certain place, I personally think that the word 'already' is not necessary at all at the first place. In fact, the word 'already' is only supposed to be used as a reminder or emphasis and not for casual informing purposes. I know I might not be the best person to lecture on this, but I'm merely showing an example of localization of the English language in Malaysia.
4. The missing links
This is a problem that I face most of the time. My brain and hands don't like each other a lot. That's why I can never play those hand eye coordination games well at all. To bring this further, I even have problems putting my thoughts into words through typing or writing. I mean, of course I'm able to vocalize my thoughts, but my hands do tend to skip a word or two once every now and then. I do not know what the hell happen, but sometimes, a connecting word would be missing from my typed/written sentences and this is a problem I've been facing since I was young. Do you peeps face this problem as well?
To solve all these deficiencies in my command of English, I know the best remedial is to enroll in classes. But classes are fucking expensive especially for someone who've just been working for a year, you know? But let's take it slow and address my problem 1 by 1.
Here's what I'd suggest myself to do;
- I think I ought to read more books and newspapers to improve my vocabulary and reinforce the foundation of my grammar.
- I'll stay off conversations that are localized and use standard English for all my communications (inclusive of MSN) as much as I can to minimize effects of localization.
- I ought to double check and reread my composed messages slowly to spot if I've jumped a word or two. Remember back in school where the teacher asked you to check your answer scripts before submitting during the exams? I never listened to that. I guess it's time I do so.
Well, I don't mind to try if there are any affordable courses to improve my English. Preferably I want it to be done online as I do not like traveling to attend classes. Do you peeps have any suggestions of websites to improve my command of English?
If you have any other comments or suggestions on what I can do to improve my proficiency in English, please do let me know.
P.S. For my not so kind readers, I've to say, you're right for pointing out that I'm a defect in English communication. I really need the reality check. Thanks, mates. ;)
Cheers
Robb
If you have any other comments or suggestions on what I can do to improve my proficiency in English, please do let me know.
P.S. For my not so kind readers, I've to say, you're right for pointing out that I'm a defect in English communication. I really need the reality check. Thanks, mates. ;)
Cheers
Robb
20 comments:
maybe you can get the interns to help you in this!
KY: great advice. I shall heed it now. Lol.
talk to more English proficient ppl.. haha your point in using standard English in all your communication is a good way to start and I find that reading alot does go a long way in helping you improve, just pick the right materials to read e.g. not blogs! =) all the best!
thanks nicki! i'll do my best!
I don't see any real problem with your written English.
It is certainly no worse than many journalists in the local papers.
I think it is at an advanced level, where any improvement will only be minor, and probably not easy to achieve.
KY: HAHAHAHA!
Go watch more movies/television series and read more books :D Any books, kids books also can.
pojaya: you're giving me way too much credits. i'm sure if a native english speaker is to read my blog, he'll be very offended.
mell: are u trying to say that my english is that atrocious that i'll have to start reading books meant for nursery? lol
You could look at online British news (e.g. BBCNews) as it is well-known and does have a decent style of writing.
you can start a course...
and it's free...all you need to do is speak in english everyday with everyone and do your best to avoid any localization phrases...
I learn vocab mostly from watching Anime (its English translators are good) as well as English series ie. Heroes, Prison Break, etc.
my Eng textbook from Secondary sch is merely inadequate, it scarcely zero in on grammar and our Msian standard is so not on par with the world's. Thus I hardly paid any attention in my dreary Eng classes too LOL.
u can try adding in FUCK for any missing link or words u cant think of.. it works great for me D:
I'm a native English speaker, and Spanish second..your English is much better than my Spanish, lol! Just takes practice.
Im still a secondary skool student and it is true tat Malaysia's English classes dun help much. we hv to improve ourselves outside the sch.
"the missing link" phenomenon is quite common. i think it is due to the fact that you are thinking so fast but your hand is slacking. just recheck what you wrote.
yes, vocabulary is needed but please don't use non-commonly used words. why would you use couturier over dressmakers? not unless you want to expound more about fashion....
this entry is a start though.
How do you know one's common word is another man's uncommon?
eg. couturier is a common word for me. So it's diff to differentiate
You can start off by getting yourself a good dictionary/thesaurus and actually USING it.
you can also type out your blog entries using microsoft word first. that way, you'll get your spelling and grammar checked. of course you could also use the thesaurus within microsoft word itself but looks like you're alreasy utilizing it well.
remember that good english doesn't always mean using big words other people don't understand, because when big words are used in grammatically poor sentences, it's totally retarded.
well, all the best to you. i'm looking forward to reading more of your entries...in good english.
i know i made mistake all the time
^_^ oh well, I'm only a human being..
let's strive together!!
Cheers
@John - yeah, you have a point in there. all i was trying to say was to use words understood by most.
People learn through their mistakes. Learn something every day and try not to make the error again. No big deal if you do, but keep at it. Things will only get better.
So, your lesson for today:
"I'm going to list down what are among my common flaws in the English language."
The verb "list" does not need the preposition "down" even though many Malaysians say it that way and you may even find it in the locally-written books.
It may be better to be conscise and precise like this:
"I'm going to list my common flaws in the English language."
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