Keeping it Simple

OK so I may not be someone’s first choice at following this header, as most people who know me would attest.  In fact, they might say that I am the quintessential big word user out there.  Of course I would vehemently disagree with such outlandish categorization – I mean truly, how absurd!  Seriously though, ‘’Keeping it simple’’ seems like an easy enough concept, but why would anyone adopt it, when making language hard is so easy – and more fun. Right?

How many times have we heard an obscure and occasional long word and couldn`t wait to flex our mental fortitude in conversation and like a seasoned DJ drop it at the right time.  Most of us, right?  Be honest.  That’s what I thought.  Using the chosen word in conversation and getting away with a possible error is sometimes excusable and in most cases not even noticed, but writing it, and getting away with an error is a whole different situation.  The trap exists among native speakers (I`ve probably sprung a few in this blog), but there are some learners who seem to fall into this trap too, albeit for different reasons. 

Its interesting reflecting on the reasons why we tend to use big words occasionally – to seem more intelligent comes to mind. However, for someone learning English as a second language the lure to use large words seems too large to pass up.  Perhaps it’s the innate sense that when you speak a different language you change your personality however slight – and hence when you use a big word you are no longer Jair, you`re actually Joey.  But then again, if you were Joey and you had to write the word in a sentence you would likely spell the big word wrong or completely misguide the reader – and this character (Friends) is a native. 

Writing for a non-native has to start with the above premise, ``Keep it simple``.  Getting your thoughts across in a way that limits misunderstanding is key in not only the business world, but also the world in general.  Remember clarity in writing usually follows clarity of thought.  Along with the avoidance of using big words, avoid using several words to explain simple actions.  Try to adopt the rule that if you can cut it out, cut it.  Less is more and quality is better than quantity and as a bonus, it limits how much reading there is for the reader – nice since, no one likes long emails.  Pretty sure blogs posts are different though.