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Can we pause for a minute and ask ourselves, Is written English a true test of knowledge? Does poor English proficiency make someone less human? Whenever I see people being ridiculed here for poor sentence construction and tenses, it breaks my heart. I’ve been there. I know how it feels to be attacked and rubbished because of it.
When I started commenting, my written English was really bad, I’ll be honest. I was dragged for it. I became a laughing stock. Old blog visitors who are still around can attest to this. There was nothing that wasn’t said to me. I was insulted and made a caricature every time I commented. Honestly, the attacks and ridicule were so painful. But I took it as a challenge to improve by learning from my mistakes. Not being good at English didn’t mean I wasn’t brilliant or knowledgeable. English proficiency is not the true test of knowledge.
I asked to have a corner on IHN so I could write and improve myself, and it was granted. I began to write twice or more in a week. I noticed the edits when my pieces were posted, so I would cross-check my original draft against the published version. That’s how I began to learn. Each time my piece was published, I would privately message to thank the blog admin for proofreading and editing. I know it wasn’t easy doing that all the time.
But how long could she keep doing that?
There was a time I sent in an article that was so poorly written, it was turned down. The blog administrator advised me to go online and look for English learning sites if writing was something I really wanted to do.
When I started commenting, my written English was really bad, I’ll be honest. I was dragged for it. I became a laughing stock. Old blog visitors who are still around can attest to this. There was nothing that wasn’t said to me. I was insulted and made a caricature every time I commented. Honestly, the attacks and ridicule were so painful. But I took it as a challenge to improve by learning from my mistakes. Not being good at English didn’t mean I wasn’t brilliant or knowledgeable. English proficiency is not the true test of knowledge.
I asked to have a corner on IHN so I could write and improve myself, and it was granted. I began to write twice or more in a week. I noticed the edits when my pieces were posted, so I would cross-check my original draft against the published version. That’s how I began to learn. Each time my piece was published, I would privately message to thank the blog admin for proofreading and editing. I know it wasn’t easy doing that all the time.
But how long could she keep doing that?
There was a time I sent in an article that was so poorly written, it was turned down. The blog administrator advised me to go online and look for English learning sites if writing was something I really wanted to do.
I took that advice in good faith, and it paid off. Some kind-hearted BVs also suggested I read books, novels, and English journals, and I did. I welcomed corrections in the comment section, even when some were condescending. My goal was to learn. Once I noticed a correction, I made sure not to repeat the same mistake twice.
Today, I’m glad the blog impacted and shaped me greatly, and my English has improved tremendously.
My corner on IN-HOUSE-NEWS was even upgraded to a stand alone column.
The criticisms and ridicule became the catalyst I needed to become a better writer.
I sincerely appreciate Stella Dimoko Korkus, the blog administrator, for believing in me and not giving up on me. Most importantly, for giving me a platform to write freely without paying for it. I’m grateful.
I sincerely appreciate Stella Dimoko Korkus, the blog administrator, for believing in me and not giving up on me. Most importantly, for giving me a platform to write freely without paying for it. I’m grateful.
A big thank you to everyone who corrected me in love, and even to those who laughed and ridiculed me. It all worked for good.
Going forward, I would advise that we correct people’s mistakes in written English with kindness so they can learn in love.
Going forward, I would advise that we correct people’s mistakes in written English with kindness so they can learn in love.
Education is meant to reform the mind, not to be used as a weapon to intimidate, ridicule, or laugh at anyone who didn’t get it right.
Beautifully written!!!
Applause!
Applause!!
Applause!!!
Nice one Teejay
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment.
DeleteI do appreciate.
©️ TEEJAY
Out of curiosity, did you use an AI tool to edit this column? If you did, it's quite beautifully written. If you didn't, wow, just wow! Well done!
ReplyDeleteSo it's now wrong to use ai tool he clearly said he goes online for editing you people should rest with ai complain even Elon musk use it
DeleteThanks for the kind words. I learn everyday and I will say, I have done very well.
Delete©️ TEEJAY
Anon 13:59,
DeleteNo, I didn't say that. I go online to learn sentence construction and tenses not edit. I have nothing against AI but quote me right if you have to.
Thanks.
©️ TEEJAY
Anon Teejay doesn't use AI. He writes so well and also one of the best writers here.
DeleteI love how he makes his points simple and understandable.
The answer to the questions in paragraph 1 is NO. However, when a language is poorly written or spoken, it does grate on the mind/ears and at times make comprehension difficult or the import of the piece difficult to comprehend. There is a popular slang "idea is need" which i think is a simplistic way of excusing poor communication Yes, we get the idea but the impact on the senses can be jarring. I am glad you used it as a learning tool which shows that even for you , you knew the importance of good communication. On how people react to bad English in the comment, it could be better . The reactions and the way they are expressed .can and should be seasoned with grace. We all commit errors from time to time, though this should be the exception and not the rule. All in all, congratulations on not allowing yourself be cowed but rising to the occasion and improving. Celebrate yourself.
ReplyDeleteThis is profound. I really love your input on this. Thank you so much.
DeleteI look forward to reading more from you here.
The moniker is new to me, and it’s obvious there’s a brilliant mind behind it. I’m looking forward to learning from your perspective and engaging with you as well.
Once again, thank you and God bless.
©️ TEEJAY
Thank you for this. I personally won’t bash anyone because of their written English. In my opinion the ability to speak a language doesn’t totally validate one’s education. However, poorly written articles or comments make it difficult for me to read or understand what they’re trying to say so I just move on.
DeleteWell done @Teejay,I am always rooting for you.
ReplyDeleteAww sweetie 🥹
DeleteThank you so much.
Please don’t stay away from the comment section for too long again.
©️ TEEJAY
Mtcheww
DeleteYou are welcome,I would try. Na hustle dey do strong thing.
Delete@mouse,why is your hiss short?
DeleteShort hisses are old fashioned.
With AI there’s no reason to post poorly written articles or even comments
ReplyDeleteAsk AI to edit for grammar and you’re good to go
Even at that, don’t you think you should take English proficiency seriously? What if you had to write an official letter and you were being monitored without internet access? What would you depend on?
DeleteI think it’s best to learn English well especially the basics, sentence construction and tenses. Even if you use AI for some things, it should be a tool to learn and improve, not something to depend on completely.
©️ TEEJAY
TJ lol writing is not a problem for me. However, I happily use all tools available
DeleteI used Microsoft spelling and grammar tool and now use AI. There’s no prize for doing it yourself
Beautiful writen. Well-done Teejay. It's good to take to corrections especially when given in love. You have a tough skin .
ReplyDeleteThanks Fair lady. Good compliment. I appreciate this.
Delete©️ TEEJAY
How you structure the wording make it easy to read and understand.
ReplyDeleteTeejay I remember those days you were bashed and I'm glad that you didn't quit. I can as well say that you have improved. Keep it up.
I love reading your comments.
Aww, thanks dear. I’m encouraged. I give all the credit to Stella. She pushed me to do better. Sometimes I wonder if not for this blog, would I have improved in English?
DeleteHonestly, at the time I didn’t even know how bad I was. When I go back to read my old comments now, I’m so ashamed of the grammatical errors. But in all, I’m grateful that I learned.
©️ TEEJAY
I don't read comments to check grammatical errors,so far you are making sense.
ReplyDeletePerfect
DeleteWelldone Teejah 👍
ReplyDeleteNiceeee One
Take Your Flowers 🌹 🌹
Hello iya Boys
🫶
DeleteThanks Chikalicious. A Jolly fellow.
©️ TEEJAY
Nice one
ReplyDeleteSuch a refreshing take! I completely agree with you, Teejay. Constant corrections only kills confidence and good communicators care more about who you are than how you spell.
ReplyDeleteWe shouldn't measure someone's intelligence by how perfectly they write. True listening means seeing the person behind the words, not their grammar.
Instead of policing words, we should focus on understanding the human being and learn to praise efforts over perfection.....That way, everyone feels welcome, seen, appreciated and respected. e no too hard!!
Progress over perfection! Weldone!
At a certain age you should be able to write without too many mistakes
DeleteIf you can’t, you will rightly be judged for it
P.S: I’ve intentionally left in one error
Keep it up bro..
ReplyDeleteKeep it up Teejay. I'm also trying my best to write well as well
ReplyDeleteWell written...we keep learning everyday
ReplyDeleteNice one..👍
ReplyDeleteGod help me to improve too
Amen🙏
Kudo to you Ezege.. I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you Ezege, I enjoyed it 👍
ReplyDelete