phonetics

Communication is the art of exchanging views, opinions, ideas and news among people for various purposes. It is an inherent part of our existence and constantly happening. Communication is the crux around which the world revolves. Staring from communication between two people, a group, and encompassing different countries, it is communication that keeps everyone connected.

In the absence of communication, it would be difficult to know the happenings around us. Communication must be done effectively to achieve the purpose. The intended meaning must be conveyed effectively to the desired recipient to achieve the purpose. In the eventuality of any distortion, the whole purpose is defeated. Besides, failed communication also gives rise to misconceptions and many a times to conflicts.

There have been instances when things have been distorted through various mediums. Hence, it is extremely important to identify the medium of communication. The channel of communication used must be capable of conveying the desired purpose. Communication binds people and countries together. It can surely be said, it also fosters ties.

Communication is known to bridge the gaps and make ties stronger. Since, communication is a potent tool of exchanging information; care must be taken to ensure that communication is used for a good purpose.

How to improve your pronunciation?

Pronunciation is a tricky part in the English language. Before beginning the exercise you must keep in mind a certain yardstick that you’d follow. Certain pronunciations vary when spoken in British English and when done so in American.

While referring the dictionary do read the phonetics or the pronunciation. Try to write some of the phonetic representation yourself.
Try speaking words out loud and slow.
It is very important to understand how to read the pronunciation.Certain essential features should be kept in mind.
(‘ )used in front of an alphabet signifies a stress on that alphabet while speaking.
The alphabets mentioned in capital are supposed to be stressed.
An “oo” is indicating a long pronunciation with a bar above it.
A broken bar over the individual o’s indicates broken pronunciation.
A small (I)is used for a long (ee) sound.
An inverted ‘e’ or ‘ә’ is called a schwa which is used to signify a very short sound for a vowel for eg. mother is pronounced like (MUTH ә)
At times to denote the “zha” sound for eg in closure zh or ᴣ is used.

How to debate?

Debating is a strong tool or rather a method, dialectical to its core which persuades us to indulge into an intense discourse. An integral part of the procedure in Presidential elections of the States , debates bring out the truth no matter how diligently concealed it might be.

Debating is an age old art and like any other form it too has its share of rules too. The judging panel is of supreme consideration. They should be formally addressed before the speaker begins. As per the norms there are two sides to be represented in a debate: For and Against the motion. Each team consists of two members for representing both the aspects of the given topic. The first speaker introduces the topic and puts across his point consequently followed by the opponent team member who speaks addressing the point of the previous speaker. The trick here is to jot down points from the previous speaker’s speech and prove how they do not hold ground. This not only makes your base strong but also establishes yourself as a serious listener and prompt speaker.

Decorum and sanctity of the dais should be maintained, no personal remarks or hurting statements should be made. The opponent is not your enemy rather he is helping you to win, so instead you should be humbly thankful to him and let him respect you for your deserved victory.

After the speaker concludes he/she often says “resolved” which means that the point has been explained.

How to read the dictionary?

Dictionary tells a lot more than just the meaning of a word. Most of us do not pay attention to the details in the way it represents the meanings.(the mentioned points may work only for recognized publications)
Apart from the phonetics or pronunciation there is more to be read between the lines. Dictionary is a compendium of infinite knowledge; all you need is the key to decipher the code. Here is a little help for you to start.
A word is mentioned in bold if it is an original entry and it is mentioned in italics if it is from another language.
If a word is used as more than one parts of speech then the forms are mentioned either after symbols like (n. and v.) or noun verb after which meaning is given.
The plural form, the word as it is used as a verb, the adjectives and adverbs associated with it are mentioned in parenthesis () alongside.
Sometimes if the word is attached to a typical word or verb for eg. Donation (of money) is mentioned with it.
You also get to know if the word is a slang as you usually find that mentioned there. With slang we refer to an informal language which is not considered appropriate in formal usage. Slangs are of two types one is coarse which is in spite of usage is still not acceptable and other one is called Offensive which is not particularly entertained by a certain ethnic or religious group.
Even tenses of certain words are mentioned.
Compound words or words which are often used together like storybook, bedtime even such words could be available for your reference.

How to improve your vocabulary?

You can increase your vocabulary only if you want to. There are so many words that we read in newspapers and magazines around us but seldom use, because we are not sure about its meaning. Vocabulary building is not a day’s affair and neither will learning ten difficult words per day help boost it. Learning words is like lugging up the recipe without being able to cook .Start learning basic words known and try using them while you speak and write.

Keep note of words that you read frequently but do not use.
Try to comprehend the meaning of a word by reading it in context to the sentence and only after that check it in the dictionary to confirm.
Use better words if you can for daily usage like exhausted for being tires or befriended for made friends. Don’t force it too hard that it shows, but try it once in a while.
Try finding the etymology of the word as it not only increases your interest but helps you recognize more words that have the same root or from the similar origin. For eg. if you know that chromos means time then you can get into terms with words like synchronous, chronology etc. Doing so you will start feeling comfortable with even difficult words.
Basics are important in any science and words also have their share of fundamentals. Almost all words have a prefix, root and suffix. for e.g. the word Devitalize is made up of de+ vita+ lize, where “de” is the prefix used for devoid of or detach something of, ”vita” is the root meaning life in Latin and “lize” is the suffix used for constructing the verb. Try deconstructing words to extract tools that would help you form your own words.
Poetry is a like a canvas which helps you play with words ,if only it attracts you try writing poems and look for rhymes to your words ,this helps in recalling words that are there in your word bank but you don’t use them anymore.

Importance of Communication, Pronunciation and Debate

How to read dictionary and improve your vocabulary?

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