Oct 24

Wittols, Aerodromes and Charabancs – How Words in Everyday Language Are Becoming Obsolete

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We often hear about words being added to dictionaries as they become part of everyday vernacular, but have you ever heard about any words that get removed? Some people argue that if a word has existed at some point in time then it merits a place in the dictionary. After all, who knows when someone may come across it in an old text and need to look up the definition? Others say that dictionaries should reflect the language that we use in the here and now, and so those words which have become obsolete in everyday language should no longer have a place in the dictionary.

Language and culture are constantly changing, so how do we keep up with these changes without losing our past?

Definition Language kdow i Wittols, Aerodromes and Charabancs – How Words in Everyday Language Are Becoming Obsolete

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Collins Dictionaries has recently announced that they will be dropping various words from its smaller English dictionary versions as they have become obsolete and outdated. According to The Guardian, some of the words which have made it on to this list of extinction include:

  • Wittol - a word used in the 1940s and earlier to describe a man who tolerates his wife’s unfaithfulness.
  • Aerodrome – a word which refers to the place where aircrafts take off and land. It is almost the equivalent to today’s ‘airports’. The word is still used in official documents by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) but rarely in everyday language.
  • Charabanc - referred to a motor coach usually used for sightseeing. This word comes from the French expression ‘char-à-bancs’, which means wagon with seats.
  • Succedaneum - signifying something used as a substitute. This word is mostly used in the medical sphere to describe any drug that can be taken in place of another.
  • Supererogate - not performing more than is actually required.

While some words become obsolete from everyday language, others still exist but their meaning has changed over time. Words like fun fur have remained in use as their meanings have been adapted to current circumstances. Fun fur used to refer to cheap animal fur that had been dyed in several colors until the 1960s. Today it refers to synthetic fur.

Though many of these words on the list are rarely used in modern society, they will still have a place in the bigger dictionaries as they might be relevant to specific fields, and logistically there is enough space to keep them there unlike in the smaller versions.

Words and their meanings are always bound to specific contexts and times in which their meaning makes sense. Anyone learning a language needs to be aware of how words are used today and historically in order to correctly interpret and understand their meaning. Language courses can help people keep up with the constant changes in language to make sure that their skills are the most appropriate for today’s modern world.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Oct 12

Tips for Learning a Foreign Language – Inside the Training Room

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Learning a language, as with learning anything, should remain interesting or else it can quickly become a chore. Once this happens, the motivation seeps away from the learner and the end of the learning process is in sight. This reasoning is particularly important for foreign languages as learning a language well can take years. It’s really important therefore that anyone taking a language course has the content and materials tailored to their unique needs and requirements.

Businessman making Presentation i Tips for Learning a Foreign Language Inside the Training Room

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Cinema fans would obviously be drawn to using film extracts, trailers and film reviews. Sports fans on the other hand would be more attracted by sports websites, sports TV channels, sports articles and columns in magazines and newspapers and sporting profiles. Obviously, if learners are in a group then they have limited control over the material provided. Whatever their preference and learning style, however, the methodology and content of the language course needs to be adapted appropriately to create maximum impact.

Learners are essential to the success of the learning process and are consulted more now than they ever used to be about their interests in an effort to ensure the most appropriate material is being used. For younger learners in schools, this is rarely the case as there is a curriculum and a lot of pupils to cater for. For professional adult learners, however, there is much more flexibility in the way that language courses are adapted.

Adult learners need to take responsibility for their own learning as this will create the most effective results. Learners who lack the right level of motivation, curiosity and open-mindedness about language training will struggle to see any concrete results. Here are a few things that learners can do or be to make their language course as effective as possible:

  • Learners need to be open-minded about how learning a language through different training approaches can benefit them. They need to be open about their personal interests and learning style so that the trainer can adapt the course in such a way that will remain interesting for the learners.
  • Learners also need to show a curiosity and willingness to understand the different structures of the target language and the way its grammar works. Asking questions and being inquisitive about the language rather than just memorising things will create the most learning opportunities that will be beneficial in the long term.
  • For learners in group language courses, sharing knowledge and ideas with other learners can help solve problems and facilitate progress. There is also the important social element present in a cooperative environment which can increase learners’ motivation and maintain their good levels of attendance in difficult times. The idea of working together with others to do activities, often referred to as task-based learning, has become an important approach in language learning.
  • As in any language, vocabulary is essential. For communicative purposes, it is arguably more important than grammar. It’s therefore imperative that learners are motivated to learn a certain number of new vocabulary items per week. These items need to be learned in context, so their precise meaning and how they are used can be fully understood. The pronunciation and spelling of the word are obviously important as well but may also depend on the level of the learner’s language ability and needs.  Being selective is essential as there are simply too many words in any language to try to learn them all.  This is the job of the learner outside the classroom and the job of both the trainer and the learner inside the classroom.

Language learners play a huge role in ensuring the success of anylanguage course. By understanding their own learning style and sharing this with their trainer they can not only enjoy training more but they will also learn more effectively. Motivation, open-mindedness and curiosity are all essential for any language learner, not only in the training room but in practising the language in the real world.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Oct 01

Legal English in Focus: The Language of Contracts – “Subject To” and “Notwithstanding”

English Language Training, Legal English Training Courses 1 Comment »

There are a large number of words which commonly appear in legal contracts that must be understood in order to effectively interpret and use Legal English. “Subject to” and “notwithstanding” are two expressions that can cause some confusion. A Legal English training course will help you further understand these words to ensure you can write and interpret Legal English as effectively and correctly as possible. Here you will find a brief summary of how to effectively interpret and use these terms.

Man carying foldersTommL i Legal English in Focus: The Language of Contracts – “Subject To” and “Notwithstanding”

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The phrases “subject to” has two meanings:

(a) a cross-referencing phrase
(b) a phrase introducing a conditional sentence such as “provided that”

Cross Referencing

The phrases “subject to” and “notwithstanding” are used as a cross-referencing phrases linking a main rule to an exception:

1.  Price

1.1   Subject to Clause 3.2, the price of the products is set out in Schedule 2.

1.2   Notwithstanding Clause 3.1, The Seller is entitled to change the price, by giving the Buyer seven days’ prior written notice.

“Subject to” looks ahead to the exception whereas “notwithstanding” looks back to the main rule. A more plain English synonym for “notwithstanding” is “despite”. The drafter can select either of these phrases depending on where he wishes to place the emphasis.

If the phrase “subject to” were omitted, the meaning of the clause would still be clear. Its purpose, however, is to emphasise the relationship between the main rule (the price set out in the schedule) and the exception whereby the Seller may unilaterally change the price. It’s more important to use these phrases when there is a big gap between the main rule and the exception.

Conditional Sentences

The phrase “subject to” may be used in order to introduce a conditional sentence. For example, by replacing the word “by” in the example given in clause 3.2 above, it would then read as follows:

3.2 The Seller is entitled to change the price subject to giving the Buyer seven days’ prior written notice.

Where “subject to” is used in a contract for cross-referencing purposes, it’s advisable not to use it in conditional sentences as well to ensure clarity.

Anyone taking aLegal English training course or looking to improve their Legal English skills can benefit immensely from reading through the key words and their meanings that we highlight in this series about the language of contracts.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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