English is the most idiosyncratic of languages and also, at the same time, the most important language for communication in the world today.
From the problems of how to pronounce POLISH – is Pole-ish or pol-ish? to the ways to punctuate sentences: the teacher said the boy is an idiot – who said what about who in that little exchange?
This becomes even more important when you consider that as a radio presenter you need to be able to pronounce things correctly to avoid upsetting people and also to make sure that you have the respect of the listeners.
The following is the first in a regular series of pieces that point out the idiosyncracies of the English language…….
* The bandage was wound around the wound.
* The farm was used to produce produce.
* The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
* We must polish the Polish furniture.
* He could lead if he would get the lead out.
* The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
* Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
* A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
* When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
* I did not object to the object.
* The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
* There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
* They were too close to the door to close it.
* The buck does funny things when the does are present.
* A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
* To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
* The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
* After a number of injections my jaw got number.
* Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
* I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
* How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
Do you have any more?…. Contact us and tell us.
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Kamal Prashar is Journalist and writer with a few other strings to his bow including broadcast work and production of everything from websites to radio programming.
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