As a reader and a writer from way back, I’ve always enjoyed the richness of the 
English language. Words paints a vivid picture for the reader and the text just seems to effortlessly flow when the author hits upon the right combination. In contrast the wrong choices of structure and vocabulary, cause even the most interesting material to become cumbersome.
Whilst I’ve always appreciated the wide selection of vocabulary available, I’ve never really given it a great deal of through until recently. To be more precise, it’s been my move into the world of teaching English to speakers of other languages that has caused me to pause and think on the vagaries, complexities and challenges that English provides.
You might like to check out this blog which is updated each Saturday with the word of the day. It comes with a short story using that particular word. It often introduces me to new vocabulary and the stories are interesting reads.
As I grow older I appreciate how very fortunate I am to have grown up as a native English speaker, but more so to have met people from so many different countries who also speak English as their first language albeit, with varying accents and expressions. It’s this wide international experience, coupled with my formal training that has helped me become a more effective teacher. There are so many different ways to say the same thing that it’s no wonder people studying English get confused!
Michelle
Michelle Hanton OAM - Dragon Sisters 
English is my second language, but because I read and write a lot in English, I have become reasonably fluent in it. I still make mistakes and when I have something edited I realise that I am not close to perfect. I grew up in the southern part of Namibia where the only English we heard was in the classroom. Feel free to correct me when you notice an error.
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Your English is very good. Reading definitely is a wonderful way to expand our vocabulary and that goes for all us native speakers too 🙂
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This gave me a giggle. I spend an inordinate amount of time finding JUST the right word to convey my meaning. It’s almost pathological. If my characters giggles, it’s because I wanted her to sound like a tickled little girl. That’s not a chortle, or a chuckle, or a guffaw. It’s a damn giggle. (I think I need to seek professional help.)
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Michelle:
Your post mirrors my thoughts….a few months ago I read a wonderful book “The Book of Air and Shadows”. I was floored by the vocabulary and realized how wonderful the English language is. This book make me realized that although I am fluent in English, I do not have a mastery of English. I’m trying to learn new words and broaden my vocabulary. English rocks!
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Nice post.
I like how you are doing that saturday short story program. it will make you and the readers learn more about this beautiful language. 🙂
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Thanks Zakwrite – the short story is not mine. It is my daughter who is a very taelented young writer. #thebearthatreads
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Wow!! That’s great. How old is she? Tell her to keep up the good work!!
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