Recently, the West African Examination Council (WAEC),released the result of the recent SSCE(Senior School Certificate Examination)result and, as usual, less than 50% of the candidates that sat for the examination passed English and Mathematics. This is pathetic and it is an indication that our linguistic competence and performance are still very low in this part of the world.
One of the three papers of the English Language is PAPER ONE. The paper carries the highest mark as it is used to test the ability of the students to use the language effectively especially through their writing skills. Spelling skill is also a very important aspect here as any error in spelling affects the overall performance of the students.
A lot of factors have contributed to the inability of students and people generally to spell correctly. One of such is text messaging and the social media. Users try as much as possible to reduce the number of characters in order to increase the volume of the message. This has led to the invention of series sub standard abbreviations.ae
These are some examples
B4 for before
GR8 for great
LOL for Laughing out Loud or Lots of Love.
Students prefer the sub standard abbreviations to the standard and acceptable ones.The effect on every individual is the creation of a gap between us and the correct spellings of some words.
Here are some of the words that we do not often spell correctly in Nigeria.
1.EXPATIATE
Users often believe that the word is derived from the verb EXPAND.To them,EXPANCIATE/EXPANTIATE should be the appropriate spelling. The word is actually spelt without the letter N.
2.SELLOTAPE
Students believe that the spelling of this word resembles the spelling of CELL and they often spell the word as CELLOTAPE.
3.IN FACT
The major error here is the tendency of writing the two words as one.Even in some textbooks,I have seen the phrase written as INFACT. That is unacceptable as the word suggests two different words and not a compound name.If in fact it is a compound name, it should have been hyphenated.
- SEATING ARRANGEMENT
I have seen students spell the phrase as SITTING ARRANGEMENT. Seat in this context represents an organised sitting position which is usually on a chair.Sitting is not necessarily on a chair but the act of being in a sitting position.
- INASMUCH
This is usually written as a word and t is never separated as one word.Users often sepatare the word so as to write it as THREE WORDS IN AS MUCH.
- INTERPRET
Are you also a victim? People often spell the word as INTERPRETE. The last letter is T and not E.
- SEPARATE
Users believe that the word is expected to be spelt as SEPERATE. They believe that there is no relation of the letter A in the pronunciation.
One important thing about the English Language is DYNAMISM in the ways the letters and words are pronounced.
For example
CH in
Character is pronounced as K
While in
Chair is pronounced as SH
Also
The word EWE is pronounced as YOU.
The word PROPHET is pronounced as PROFIT.
- MISSPELL
Users usually omit one of the doubled S and spell the word as MISPELL. That is not acceptable.
- FIRST-BORN
The word is a compound name and it is usually hyphenated. Avoid the use of the spelling without the hyphen as it makes the word to become meaningless.
- EVERYDAY/EVERY DAY
The two expressions are not the same. The word EVERYDAY(written together) is an adjective that functions as a pre-modifier.
Say
Everyday medicine
Everyday usage
EVERY DAY, however, indicates regularly or daily.
Say,
I see him every day.
I read your posts every day.
Spelling is very essential in our daily usage of the English Language. Try as much as possible to reduce the use of the sub standard abbreviations so as not to kill your spelling skills.
John(name withheld) was very joyous after attending our training on PUBLIC SPEAKING. He said every Sunday used to be a sad day for me as I was usually asked to address the congregation at the church. I hardly could speak for TEN MINUTES out of the THIRTY MINUTES alloted for my session.
I am happy today as I speak for ONE HOUR after attending a THREE-MONTH TRAINING at the STYLISTICIANS ENGLISH LANGUAGE SCHOOL.
Join our ONLINE TRAINING which commences on Saturday 20th August,2015 for just 3,000 naira and enjoy a TWO-MONTH TRAINING. Reaching you is our goal.
We want to spread the GOSPEL of good English.
Dealing with spellings continues in next edition.