How to Overcome Cultural Differences in ESL Writing

It’s a universal phenomenon to see writing students audibly yawn and groan in the face of a new writing task. Few first language writers fancy the process; it must be a lot more daunting to second language writers. An ESL writer is not only tasked with handling syntax and the craft, but also wrestling to overcome the tentacles of confusing cultural differences. The writing style is normally a vivid reflection of the writer’s background and character; breaking free to follow strict style guidelines of another language is often challenging. Fortunately, it’s quite possible. ESL students find writing challenging in different ways, depending on the student’s background. To capture the communication styles of different cultures, it’s needful to analyze the personality of that culture. Take an example of a business meeting with native English speakers. Are there warm greetings with hugs, handshakes, and so on? You will realize that English speakers are generally reserved. They often use short simple sentences; it passes as the writer’s responsibility to embrace this simplicity. All questions need to be answered, while avoiding lengthy paragraphs and complex explanations. Complexity of prose is found in other languages, such as the romance languages. Like the Spanish, Italian and Portuguese cultures, their writing is similarly fiery and passionate. Most ESL writers hope that winding repetitive explanations would make it more comprehensible; the English reader finds it confusing and irritating. Therefore English writing avoids long, wordy sentences. The semi-colon can greatly help you achieve this goal. Taking the business meeting example, you will find that the native English speakers will state their points precisely, in short direct statements that seamlessly connect to build the whole concept. Repetition is only sprinkled as vehicle of emphasis. Adverb clauses, participial phrases and prepositional phrases are good snipping tools for superfluous words. By reading out your work aloud, you should know the sentence is too long if you need to breathe by the end of the sentence. ESL students from the Asian culture also have a notable share of problems. The Japanese, Koreans and Chinese have a typically circular writing, which respects politeness and avoids offense. A writing plan helps organize ideas better. Asian writing features lots of fragments (e.g. Chang went to the scene. Because he wanted to see it) and frequent choppy statements. This is basically because the structure is vertical instead of horizontal. Connectors and transition words easily fixed these problems, reducing choppiness and enhancing smooth link of ideas. Chang went to the scene because he wanted to see it. As Chang wanted to see the scene, he went. Even though writing is difficult, it remains an essential tool for communication in business and academia. This makes it to you an indispensable craft. Keeping an error log of your common mistakes is a great strategy to learn fast and grasp creative writing. Creativity frees learners form set rules and allows room for imagination, making a path to gaining confidence. With confidence in your skills, you can do anything including becoming an impressive ESL writer!

The importance of the role played by the educated elite...

africa came under the direct jurisdiction of Europe after the initial carving out of the continent referred to as the Scramble for Africa. This partition was fulfilled at the Conference of Berlin 1884-85 resulting in the political mapping of the continent. Thus, Africa facilitated the extension of the European hegemonic powers overseas. This colonization rendered the African continent the play-toy of wealthy European imperialists who raked the profits from the resource-rich territories. The period between 1880 and 1919 saw an upsurge of African resistance to colonial rule this was the period of African nationalism. The Africans were now exasperated with their economic and social situation. Thus discontent and protest was bound to†¦show more content†¦Gumede and I. A La. Guma from south Africa. There were also other movements such as the Garvey universal Negro improvement association which exerted significant influence on the educated elite and intern the masses of African. . Pan-Africanism which was a philosophy that promoted African awareness and pushed for the betterment of all Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora, was inspired by Sylvester Williams, Marcus Garvey and William Du Bois and other black American and Caribbean influences. Pan-Africanism must be said gave strong influence to the decolonisation process it further gave the eal to the nationalist movements. The subsequent advent of World War II ushered in a massive wave of decolonization struggles, and dozens of new states. The first half of the twentieth century was devastating for European colonial powers. The cumulative cost of World War I, the collapse of control and stability during the Age of Anxiety, and the devastating epic conflict of World War II, all contributed to the erosion of colonial control. Although regions seeking independence still had years of fighting to endure after 1945, countries like Britain, France, Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands were in a losing st ruggle to hold onto their colonies. Japan, Germany and Italy lost their colonial empires immediately following their defeat. World War II also spawned the new geopolitical realities of the cold war. Both the U.S. and the Soviet UnionShow MoreRelatedThe Importance of the Role Played by the Educated Elite in the Process of Decolonisation in Africa2261 Words   |  10 Pagesafrica came under the direct jurisdiction of Europe after the initial carving out of the continent referred to as the Scramble for Africa. This partition was fulfilled at the Conference of Berlin 1884-85 resulting in the political mapping of the continent. Thus, Africa facilitated the extension of the European hegemonic powers overseas. This colonization rendered the African continent the play-toy of wealthy European imperialists who raked the profits from the resource-rich territories. The periodRead MoreChina in Africa Essay20116 Words   |  81 Pagesnews from the Nordic Africa Institute from the Nordic Africa Institute numBer 3 novemBer 2007 from the contents china and Africa Fantu Cheru theme: AfricAn Agriculture Agriculture and the World Bank Atakilte Beyene Property rights Kjell Havnevik Tor A. Benjaminsen Espen Sjaastad inequality and climate change contents to our reAders AfricAn Agriculture 1 3 november 2007 Carin Norberg African agriculture and the World Bank: development or impoverishment? Atakilte

Grapes of Wrath Essay Example For Students

Grapes of Wrath Essay It is said that everything is done for a purpose, and if that purpose is not obvious, it could be evident within oneself. In The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck, the story not only entails the tale of the tragically poor, but also an uplifting sense of discovery. The story tells not only of the physical journey to California, but of the characters spiritual travels as well. By examining the lives of Jim Casy, Tom Joad, and Ma Joad, one will see the enlightening changes that mark their lives through the depression. Jim Casys journey is an astounding one. In The Grapes of Wrath, the Californians wanted to rid the dirty Okies from California because they were afraid of them. They were afraid that the Okies would take their land. In The Grapes of Wrath, Okies were unjustly beaten. The California police beat them for no just reason because they wanted the Okies to leave the state. The police killed Casey for no just reason. They killed him just because they thought he was an Okie fighting for more rights. The Californians did not like the Okies even though they were Americans, just like how the Blacks were not liked by the whites, even though they were Americans. In chapter 21, the workers are in California and the mild people of California find in the Okies what they have yet to experience- fear and desperation. Sensing the extent to which the migrants are willing to work, the locals begin to fear for their own jobs, and most importantly, for their own property. In fearful defense, they attack the Okies as marauders who mean to destroy both populations through their desperation. This fear transforms into hostility, which reveals itself in the story through the deputies and managers who abuse and assault the Joads, as well as other migrant families in the workers camps. Throughout the novel there are several symbols used to develop the theme; man verses a hostile environment. Each symbol used in the novel show examples of both extremes. Some represent man that struggles against the environment; others paint a clear picture of the feelings of the migrants. As each symbol is presented chronologically through the novel, like the turtle at the beginning and then the dust. They all come together at the end to paint a clear picture of the conditions, treatment and feelings the people (migrants) as they make their journey through the novel to the West. Violence is everywhere, more today than yesterday. We still see or hear of random acts of violence that are happening all around. Whether it be racial or not, this violence will not stop but only escalate. It is whats being passed down for generations to come and for all to learn.

The Man of Property Essay Example

The Man of Property Essay Soames is anything but a simple character. He is, for one thing, a symbol of the possessive principle motivating the upper-middle-class of England. He is the most Forsyteian of the Forsytes, an honour he shares, perhaps, with his father, James; he is the embodiment of the need to possess which regards all thingsland, bouses, paintings, even womenin terms of ownership QUESTIONS AND TASKS 1. What is John Galsworthys manner of writing? What distinguishes him from other writers of his generation? 2. How is Galsworthys ironic attitude to the family relationship of the Forsytes expressed? 3. What is the authors feeling towards his characters? Does he put it into words? 4. Is the description of the room and the dinner detailed or brief? Are the details of furniture, dress relevant for the understanding of the Forsytes? Make a list of details illustrative of the elegance of their home. 5. What are Galsworthys ways of disclosing the feelings of Soames? Point out the words showing Soamess growing alarm. 6. Find out the sentences containing the authors generalizations of the Forsyte character. 7. How far can we judge Soames by the attitude he adopts towards his wife? Also by her attitude to him. 8. We will write a custom essay sample on The Man of Property specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Man of Property specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Man of Property specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Pick out the epithets that characterize Irenes dissatisfaction with her married life. 9. Prove that Soamess feeling for his wife is that of a man of property. Show the means that make it clear that Soames looked upon Irenes beauty as one of his finest possessions. Give examples and quotations from the text. 10. Why does Galsworthy repeatedly stress the silence of the husband and wife? 11. Analyse the short dialogue between husband and wife: which of their features stand out clearest in their conversation? 12. Characterize Soamess manner of speaking. 13. Speak of the elements of parody in Galsworthys description of modern plays.