A looser what, Loser?!?

Though I’ve innumerable pet peeves when it comes to the unwitting (and half-witted) abuse of the English language, in 2011 “looser” was king (and the literate were losers).

loser [pronounced "LOOzer"] noun: one who has failed; someone known for consistently bad performance. Slang: a misfit, especially one who has never been successful at a task, job, relationship, etc.

looser [pronounced "LOOser"] adjective:  more loose than.

loose [pronounced "loos"] adjective: not taut, fixed, or rigid; free from restraint; uncontained. Not to be confused with the verb “to lose.”

Whether English is your first [EFL] or second [ESL] language, may 2012 be the end of this risible faux pas (for we need our strength to deal with “moot” vs “mute”). Happy New Year! School is in session, classes are on cam. Book early, book often…

English As She Is Spoke: A Humor Classic!

When English is mangled by those for whom it is not the native tongue, I find it endearing — and enlightening. Especially with regard to cultural idioms (when a Persian student asked why I was looking at him “left-left,” I gained a new perspective on our own “out of the corners of my eyes”).

Many years of teaching ESL have made clear that people are people, no matter their language or culture. We have far more in common than we have differences, but communication has never been our strong point.

One’s use of language can be an albatross or a pair of wings. Formal education isn’t necessarily a key to The Kingdom, and the lack of a formal education does not doom one to life on the lowest rungs. As a matter of fact, formal schooling is often an impediment.

The world is filled with PhDs who can barely dress themselves and high-school dropouts who exemplify that for which we should strive. The latter never stop learning, and — most importantly — their facility with language is exemplary.

Allowances are made for those learning English; native speakers receive no such consideration, however (and rightly so). Many a career has been derailed and advancement precluded due to a single “should of” (rather than “should have”). 

Language matters! Change your professional and personal lives through mastery of English. Recent studies prove that what you say is not as important as how you say it. Cause for joy rather than despair (as long as critical thinking skills are also honed to perfection and employed regularly)…

Dr. V is now accepting new students; beginning, intermediate, and advanced. Remedial EFL (English As a First Language) and ESL (English As a Second Language) classes and services are available online. Contact DrV at DrVPhD dot com TODAY for further information.