COMMUNICATING IN ENGLISH

COMMUNICATING IN ENGLISH

Language is the means through which we communicate our thoughts, emotions and feelings to another person. When you learn a new language, your prime objective is to be able to communicate the same to another person. To be able to do this, you will need to learn the structure and grammar, and with it, the nuances of how to say what and to whom. A word or sentence may not be appropriate in a particular context or situation but may be perfect in another situation. For example, it may sound awkward or too formal if you say “I am deeply indebted to you for your help” to a close friend when a simple “thanks” will be much more effective. It may fit in perfectly in a formal office situation. Similarly, there is a difference in the way you write a letter or email to your friend and to your teacher. You should be able to use the language in any context to perform different functions such as expressing gratitude, regret, joy, despair; giving an opinion, agreeing or disagreeing; requesting. This is not possible by simply mastering the rules of grammar though its knowledge is a necessity. Knowing the rules of grammar may help you to write correct sentences but may not help you to communicate effectively. To communicate in English is to use it in every context and situation effectively, both in the spoken and written form.

When we speak of communicating in English, it means communicating through spoken or written words. It does not mean speaking only. A learner of English should aspire to be able to use it for different purposes and get the desired result. You should know what to say, when to say and how to say something.

As mentioned earlier knowing English involves not only producing language correctly, but using language for particular purposes: for example being able to express your thoughts and feelings, give advice in English, make predictions, describe people, make a request, agree or disagree with someone or give instructions. These are called functions. Functions are the same for all languages. So you need not learn the functions; function will be created automatically by the situation in which you have to use language. But you should know how to use English to perform those functions. If you learn the structures of grammar for no obvious reason and do not try to find out when and where to use it you may not become competent to express yourself in English. For instance, you are practicing a series of exercises on going to but do not know exactly how to use it according to the need of the situation. But if you try to talk about your intentions and plans (another function) you are likely to use the structure correctly and know its use.