Profuse usage of verbose oralisation and exggerated texual literation while Speaking English

Do you use more words than are really needed?

Are the words you use easily understood and of relevence?

In the UK the Campaign for Plain English (CPE) has been working for many years to make spoken and written English more accessible to people by simplifying refining the use of language. It’s worth remembering that there is little point in expressing oneself or passing on information if no one understands what you’re writing about.

It is a common misconception particularly in less educated circles that usuing long fussy words or phrases will impress others. In fact the use of big words is considered a bit a joke only highlighting the inability of speaker/writer to express themselves clearl. For example “I’m looking to re-locate”, what exactly are we saying here? I want to move as in change address, I’m thinking of going from one place to another, I’m asking a person, company etc called re-locate for a solution to something. OK as educated English speakers we have enough understang of language to know it means I’m thinking of moving house. Imagine the confusion this kind of word use could bring for someone with limited English where there is often a tendency to take words literally.

The over use of even simple words strung together is seen as irrelevant and a cause of amusement amongst educated people 9n England, What do you think this phrase means? ” At the end of the day, does it literally mean what it says i.e. Night time? No, in everyday speech it means finally or when everything eles is done, when all points have been taken into consideration, as in ” At the end of the day I will have to decide what to do”. Another phrase with a similar meaning is ” When it comes down to it”, or ” When it comes to the crunch”. Try taking these phrases literally and see how confusing they could be. Another often used and laughable phrase is “Me myself personally”, where a simple I would do just as well.

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