I was watching RenovAid on TV the other day. It's a home improvement show about redecorating homes of people in need. Anyway this post is not about the show. In this particular episode, the family in need is a malay one, and so they interviewed one of the occupants, who is a malay girl in her 20s if I'm not mistaken. First of all, don't get me wrong, I am truly sorry at her plight, but when she started talking, I'm not sure weather to cringe or laugh. Her confidence in talking, does not overshadow what comes out from her mouth, which was atrocious. Hence the topic of my post this time is about English, or rather the usage or the command of the English language.
I'm not being pompous, but whenever I hear or read, badly spoken or written English, I get very annoyed. It's equivalent to hearing fingernails scratching against the blackboard. I admit I have no idea what is - past participle, connective adverb, conjunction, adjective... heck I don't even know what is a noun. But I do recognise a poorly constructed sentence.
I've obtained an A2 in English for my 'O' Levels, and I don't attribute it to reading a lot of books, in fact I hate reading. Contrary to popular belief, reading is not the only way to improve on your English. So where do I learn and build up my vocabulary if not from reading, you may ask. During my secondary school days, I listened to lots of heavy metal songs... in particular Iron Maiden and Metallica.
"Even though it's reached new heights, I rather like the restless nights. It makes me wonder, makes me think, there's more to this I'm on the brink. It's not the fear of what's beyond. It's just that I might not respond. I have an interest almost craving... Would I like to get too far in?"
(Song: Infinite Dreams, Iron Maiden)
"Run over stiles across fields, turn to look at who's on your heels. Way ahead of the field, the line is getting nearer but do you want the glory that goes. You reach the final stretch, ideals are just a trace. You feel like throwing the race, it's all so futile"
(Song: Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, Iron Maiden)
Most people will associate heavy metal with satanic songs, which is further from the truth. Iron Maiden songs are full of lyrical literatures. "Rime of the Ancient Mariner". "Flight of Icarus", "Children of the Damned", "Phantom of the Opera" just to name a few. I love analyzing the lyrics, as much as listening to the distortion guitar riffs and double-bass beats of the drums.
Metallica have even powerful lyrics :
"Circle of destruction, hammer comes crushing, Powerhouse of energy. Whipping up a fury, dominating flurry, We create the battery. Smashing through the boundaries, Lunacy has found me. Cannot stop the battery"
(Song : Battery, Metallica)
"Dealing out the agony within, Charging hard and no one’s gonna give in. Living on your knees, conformity, Or dying on your feet for honesty. Inbred our bodies work as one, Bloody, but never cry submission. Following our instinct not a trend. Go against the grain until the end"
(Song: Damage Inc, Metallica)
As you can see, the words of the songs are not the typical feel good words of those pop songs which are often aired on radio. These sentences are properly thought-out and arranged to make a song, and give an impact to the listener. Most popular radio friendly songs these days are played with 2 or 3 chords with lovey dovey words repeatedly, and lo and behold it becomes a hit.
Any-hoo, this post is not about promoting heavy metal, as I mentioned its about using proper English. Speak in a manner that is eloquent, and you will create a powerful impression. Knowing English is not good enough, proper English implies that there is some well defined English. Whereas knowing English only properly implies we don't make a complete mess of how we put it all together.
So make an effort to learn to construct proper English sentences... jangan pakai rembat aje... so till next time... "Taking care, and Keep in Touching"
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