Proper Language Use
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to demonstrate an understanding of proper language use in a well-written text.
Do you have trouble finding the right words to express your meaning?
Are your compositions sometimes filled with language that sounds awkward?
Would you like to know how to improve your word choices in the texts that you write?
Proper Language Use
Proper language use allows you to capture the message that you want to convey to your readers. It is all about
choosing the right words that accurately capture your ideas. However, writers sometimes encounter problems with the
following:
Misused Words
Words with Unwanted Connotations
Technical or Highfalutin Words
Misused Words
A writer might sometimes use a word incorrectly, and this occurs when the word does not mean what he or she thinks it does.
So, it is important to be certain of the definition of a word before using it; this often happens with words that sound or look
alike.
Example:
There are many behaviors that past societies considered legal but are now deemed amoral including slavery, sexism, and
racism.
Explanation:
The writer confused the word “amoral” with “immoral.” The former means neither moral nor immoral (without moral quality)
while the latter means not moral. Sometimes, it is easy to guess the correct meaning of a word just by looking at how it is
spelled. The prefix a- signals that something is without such as in “anarachy” (without a government) or “atypical” (without
typical features). On the other hand, the prefix im- simply means not such as in “imperfect” (not perfect) or “impossible” (not
possible).
Technical or Highfalutin Words
Writers want to sound smart by using words that are very technical or have deep meanings. Though some writing genres
require the use of such words, writers should still be careful about using them since they make readers work harder to
understand texts.
Example:
There is an ongoing discourse about the antidisestablishment assemblage and the administrative political body.
Explanation:
The text is complicated because it is filled with words that are difficult to understand. If the terms are important to use, then
the writer could define what they mean. Otherwise, the sentence could be rewritten simply this way: There is an ongoing
discussion between the opposition and the government. This sentence still “sounds smart” but it is easier for most people to
understand and it does not change the meaning of the original sentence in any way.
Words with Unwanted Connotations
There are words that take on a meaning specific to a context. Some writers might not be aware of these connotations, so they
end up using language that is unintentionally confusing, comical or even offensive to readers.
Example:
The coast guard salvaged Priscilla and her sister after their fishing boat was damaged in the storm.
Explanation:
The word “salvage” means to save usually from the wreckage of a marine vessel. However, the Philippine media and police
often use the term to mean a violent killing, which is opposite from its traditional English meaning. It comes from the Spanish
word “salvaje” that has a meaning similar to “savage.” Thus, if the writer produced this text for a Filipino audience, the
meaning that he or she intended would be lost. Using the word “saved” or “rescued” would remedy the issue.
Tips
When you use words improperly, readers are left confused as to what you are trying to say. So, always choose words
according to their correct definition and connotation. Also, keep your language simple enough to make your text
easier for readers to understand.
