Written English and Spoken English
First, I think it is quite absolutely necessary to tell you who are going to
read this article that my following narration may not very close to this topic,
but I have no better choice. :-)
On the net, someone amiably pointed out that my usage of the English language
has more of a literary style, not usual speech. If I spoke it how I write it, it
would sound unusual to a native English speaker, because he thought I was apt to make sentences long and complicated. Also, he suggested that I should shorten
my words and put them in a simple way to ensure my style would appear to be usual. I am somewhat bewildered about his kind words so I am now here for trying to
figure out this confusion by your help.
I don't know for sure what is the accurate style the literature is supposed to
be, I love reading English materials very much, though. Similarly, I am also not so sure what writing style I have had. It is not a problem, anyway. Here I just take it for granted that it is merely a firm and remarkable stage for everybody to polish up his written English impartially and efficiently. As for other aspects of this language, probably they all have also been improved a bit unconsciously. Bringing along many reasonable reasons, of which there is a mainspring--learning, I have been a frequenter here over half-year. Now I can easily feel how
much I have got from here, not only the little improvement of my written English
, but much kind help, encouraged words and good friendship, which all I appreciate very much.
It is a pity that I seldom do practice in speaking, so I don't have too much to say concerning spoken English. Verbal expression, for me, has been playing an
unconquerable role on the road to learning English well. Not long ago, I attended an English exam in which it encompasses a necessary part-oral English. It only
took about six minutes to fulfill its whole procedures of testing oral. To be exact, the only tool of testing that is picture, only three. One picture for a dialog between two candidates about three minutes, another two for each of candidates to narrate his own thoughts he could think of according to the specified picture, around three minutes together. (You must have guessed the name of this English test.) In my turn, I could express myself clearly when I spoke with my partner. However, my mind was practically blank when I needed speak out on my own, although I was not tense at all. I don’t know why. Probably the only reason would boil down to the lack of practice in speaking in the daily life.
Undoubtedly I don't have a good command of English. I have been, and still am,
a solecist, and my spoken English is rather poor, too. Nevertheless, I do think
that written English differs from spoken English. The two just like the formal
style and informal style in Chinese or other languages may have. The former rigidly demand the author to use formal formats, neat figures, proper personal pronouns, full sentences, perfect syntaxes, and so on. Without these, it may be regarded as an improper way of using formal style. By contrast, informal style is random a bit. It may be Ok if the author has clearly conveyed his points to readers
. (I am not a linguist, I wonder if I have misunderstood the difference between
formal style and informal style.)
Besides, for me, though I have known how far-reaching the written English had
influenced on my English learning, the manner of writing English doesn’t impact on spoken English. If the influence has wrought well, I don't think my oral English is still so poor. :-) Thus, I think I should use long sentences if they will be needed to express what I want to put soundly.
What I said is just my personal opinions, and I have no idea whether I am right. Friends, what do you think, then?
Nicole
