As global economies become even more interlinked, English has emerged as a standard for worldwide communication. Even if you usually feel comfortable while speaking English in conversation, probably you do so every day, writing it is something else completely.
While the spoken words rapidly disappear into thin air, the written words remain. In simple words, a mistake in the printed text has a far bigger chance of being micro scrutinized or-in times of social media even ridiculed.
How to form writing skills in English?
English being a second language has its own specific difficulties, partly because of the nature of the language itself and also because several people in various places speak it. Here are some tips for improving your professional English writing skills as shared by Cafe Converse, Delhi’s top institute for learning spoken and written English.
Understand that regular English is a strange thing
Over several centuries, multiple languages have influenced the development of English. Therefore, its grammar and spelling will be highly irregular. Idiosyncrasies are quite hard to learn, except by continuous exposure over a long period. Even native English speakers often find it difficult to explain the several irregularities inherent to their language-they simply know what sounds natural to their ears.
Tip: Does “Red little riding hood” make any sense? In English grammar, it is essential to keep your adjectives in the correct order.
Keep it simple
English has a quite rich vocabulary and a flexible structure, so it could be tempting to write creatively. But when writing in a non-native language, it is ideal to keep a steady hand on the brakes of creativity and write plainly and clearly. Keep the prose short and straightforward and say what you want to say as simply as you can. Whenever possible, get it checked by a native speaker or editor before sending it to the concerned.
Tip: Nobody wishes to hunt for meaning in a text. Stay closely to the fundamentals of plain English.
Get an expert
If you know any native English speakers in your office, as stated above ask them for help proofreading your content. Never be offended if they suggest multiple corrections. If time allows, ask your colleague to explain the modifications to assist improve your fluency in English.
If you do not have that opportunity to consult a native speaker, or if your text is way too long for your colleague to see, it might make sense to look for a professional editor.
Tip: Use an English language corpus to have your prose sound colloquial.
Don’t rely too much on the thesaurus
A thesaurus is a utility tool for seeking more interesting alternatives for several commonly-used words. While writing as a non-native, use this thesaurus sparingly. Several words in the English language have an array of synonyms, but mostly than not, each one has a nuance that may make it completely inappropriate for a specific situation.
Tip: If you are not entirely sure what combination of words to write, take help from a proper dictionary.
A few tips and tricks for grammar
Here’s a quick list of what to avoid when writing in a non-native language:
- Colloquialisms and slang: Best not to apply these, particularly slang, as they normally do not translate well. Even commonly used slang could sound absurd when used out of context
- Similes, idioms, and metaphors: Just use them if you check first with a native speaker.
- Long sentences: You might need to write a fairly lengthy sentence every now and then, but bear in mind that errors in the structure are more likely to happen in longer sentences.
- Humour: This is more like a grey area. While it might seem that some things are globally funny, several jokes or situations that sound funny in one language or to one specific culture do not go well with the other one.. Even jokes that are a hit in British English may fail with English-fluent audiences in America or Australia. Use humour sparingly; its reception will rely hugely on your target audience.
- Phrasal verbs: Use of these also relies on common usage and intrinsic clarity. Just use them if you are quite familiar with their usage.
If you are able to work with a native speaker, you might find the above types of language will improve your text and assist you to connect with local readers. This is why Cafe Converse can come in handy as there you will learn to create, edit and understand your English content.
Happy Learning !!
Ms Sonu Goel is a professionally acclaimed certified ESL trainer from the British Council having 15 years of strong background for teaching the English language in both online and physical classes. She is dedicated to teaching of English in an interactive and practical way, whereby learners feel enriched with knowledge and experience the language hands-on. She uses creative ideas and aids to let the learning happen as organically and efficiently as possible. Ms Goel has travelled to various European countries and experienced an array of cultures and linguistic skills for the English language.
To learn more about Sonu Goel please visit : https://cafeconverse.com/best-english-tutor-coach-teacher-sonu-goel.html
