Skip to main content

Spoken English and Broken English Short Summary & Analysis in english

 "Spoken English and Broken English" is a 1927 radio talk by George Bernard Shaw. This essay explains how to speak English to a foreign English student in the British Commonwealth, America, or when meeting a native. It says the native may speak a provincial or cockney dialect he's ashamed of, which could prevent him from getting a job open only to those who speak correct English.

The essay has three parts. The first part emphasises there is no single model of correct English speech. There is no ideal English, native or foreigner. Shaw discusses "correct English," or proper English speech. No two Brits speak alike, he says. They all speak differently, but presentably, making them understandable and socially acceptable. The second part discusses how everyone, educated or not, speaks differently in public and private. To make an impact and be understood, a public speaker must measure each word. In private, a man cares less about speech, grammar, etc. Shaw presents himself as a guinea pig in this section.

In the last section, Shaw advises foreigners on how to speak in English-speaking countries and gives a different warning. Foreigners should speak with foreign accents and broken English without grammar. Then every native he speaks to will realise he's a foreigner and try to help him. He can't expect everyone to be polite and use proper grammar. This advice is outdated now that many people live in English-speaking countries like America and Britain.

With globalisation and the need to learn multiple global languages, including English, people are seeking the 'correct' form of English.

Comments

Search

Popular posts from this blog

Sir Roger at Church by Joseph Addison - Essay Summary & Analysis

Introduction: "Sir Roger at Church" is an essay written by Joseph Addison, first published in "The Spectator" in 1711. In this essay, Addison reflects on the character of Sir Roger de Coverley, a fictional country gentleman, and his behavior and attitudes during church services. Background of the Essay: Joseph Addison, along with his friend Richard Steele, founded "The Spectator," a periodical publication that featured essays, social commentary, and satire. "Sir Roger at Church" is part of a series of essays that depict the life and adventures of Sir Roger de Coverley. Summary: Sir Roger's Character: Sir Roger de Coverley is depicted as a benevolent, traditional English country gentleman. He embodies virtues such as kindness, generosity, and a deep sense of duty to his community. Despite his old-fashioned ways, Sir Roger is well-respected and admired by those around him. Sir Roger's Religious Observance: In the essay, Addison observes Sir...

Not Just Oranges by Isai Tobolsky Short Summary

 Isai Tobolsky is the author of the short story titled "Not Just Oranges." The narrative explores a range of human experiences, including love, innocence, arrogance, and repentance. A mother raises her young daughter all by herself in the narrative's fictional setting. She has a tremendous amount of love for her daughter. Her income is not very significant due to the fact that she is employed as a charwoman in a medical facility. On the other hand, she provides an exceptionally healthy diet for her daughter. At one point, the young girl makes a request to her mother to purchase a blue ball. She has a lot of fun with the ball that her mother buys for her when she plays with it. However, there comes a day when the ball hits the window of their next-door neighbours, the Malachovs. It shatters a pricey vase that was sitting on the window sill.  The elderly woman, Mrs. Malachov, gets worked up into a rage. The young girl and her mother pay a visit to the Malchakovs' home, ...

Games at Twilight by Anita Desai - Summary and Analysis in English

Children's Game of Hide-and-Seek In the stifling heat of the afternoon, a group of children yearns to escape the confines of their house and play outdoors. They engage in a game of hide-and-seek, with Ravi, a young boy, determined to outwit his playmates and emerge victorious. Ravi's Quest for Victory Ravi's intense desire to defeat Raghu, the football champion, and gain recognition among the older children drives him to hide with unwavering determination. As he waits in anticipation, the shed where he conceals himself becomes a sanctuary of hopes and dreams for triumph. Emotional Turmoil and Realization As time passes and the game continues without his discovery, Ravi experiences a rollercoaster of emotions. From the thrill of potential victory to the crushing realization of being forgotten by his peers, he grapples with feelings of joy, fear, and a profound sense of insignificance. Themes of Childhood and Isolation Through Ravi's journey of seeking validation and acce...