Thursday, July 15, 2004

The English Language

I have often been accused of forming strong opinions about people based on their proficiency with the English language. No kidding. On serious introspection, i do admit that this might have been the case on more than a few occasions but i can't help it. Dats me! Coming to think of it, its no coincidence that some of my people i really respect are ones who can weave magic with their writings - Onion, Copygurrl, Milind9x, Sidin to name a few.

Looking back, i think it all started with my studying 14 years in Campion in Trichy. At school, we were always under the vigilant eyes of our teachers who would never tolerate if the students spoke in anything but English. (save the Language classes) We also had those L&D classes on Thursdays or Fridays which we all used to really look forward to. My interest in the language was also sparked by my Std 8 English Teacher Mr. Vernum , a gentleman who could speak impeccable Queen's English (In Trichy, twas a rarity) and whose vocabulary and diction remains till today one of the best i've ever heard.

Today when i write letters (i still do once in a while) or mails, i find myself enjoying the language, toying with it to suit the occasion. So when people call me garrulous and remind me that "A silent man is a wise one" i retort saying "A man without words is a man without thoughts" :-)

A few weeks back, when i was at some sort of crossroads, one of my pals adviced me saying that its "Better safe than sorry" - Quick to the return, i quipped "Nothing ventured, nothing gained" - It was only later that i realised that the language itself had given me a solution to my predicament.

I do use a lot of other contradicting adages to my advantage, some of them being

Two's company; three's a crowd
The more, the merrier

What will be, will be
Life is what you make it

Birds of the same feather flock together
Opposites attract

Lets cross bridges when we come to them.
Forewarned is forearmed

The bigger, the better
The best things come in small packages


In case you know any more let me know. Knowledge is power :-) (Hint: Hint:)

6 comments:

Ekta said...

Can see your obsession with english continues...!:-)

Unknown said...

The early bird catches the worm
Look before you leap.

Out of sight, out of mind
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Anonymous said...

Ram uncle,

My class teacher taught me opposites in school today.
I got 10 out of 10 in the class work. Mummy gave me a BIG hug and daddy promised to buy me Barbie's bathtub if i got 10 out of 10 in the next test too.

Will u teach me?

Searching For said...

"Ignorance is bliss" would be the answer I believe you are looking for. Your blog is quite fascinating. I'm very intrigued and I want thank you for the many laughs it has granted me. My cousin and I often shudder at the incorrect use of the english language (we were raised in a family of English teachers). Just thought I'd express my gratitude.

Jupe said...

There's still hope for this world. Thanks Searching For for completing wot i had left unsaid and also for those very kind words. I guess i shall humbly accept those compliments considering i get very few :-p

N hey Hawkeye, thanks for those two additions. Nice ones :-)

Unknown said...

actually, a small correction...

I think this one:

"The early bird catches the worm
Look before you leap."

sounds better thus:

"Look before you leap.
He who hesitates is lost."

Some more since you liked those...

Seek and ye shall find.
Curiosity killed the cat.

Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Many hands make light work.

And (how did I forget this one yesterday?)...

Great minds think alike
Fools seldom differ

:)