A social media friend from South Goa who is an undergraduate and who I have personally not yet met but only have corresponded with over the internet for about five years has sent me a message which has left me in a quandary.
While thanking me for my writings which he says he regularly reads without fail, he has requested me to try and write in simple English.
Thank God I was not educated at Oxford but went to just normal schools and colleges. In fact my formative years in the third and fourth standard of schooling was at a little Government run Primary school at Ribandar. I was admitted there so that my Aunt who was a teacher there could keep a watchful eye on my unending adventures.
All through my academic years, I was so blessed with good and dedicated teachers who cared for and guided me all through my student days. On the extra curricular side, they encouraged me to participate in public speaking and essay contests. They were always a source of inspiration being friends rather than mere teachers. What ever knowledge I was able to assimilate and acquire to use in life, I owe it all to my dear teachers who were very caring and patient despite my always being a very challenging student.
Now coming back to the request to pen in simple English, it may be too late at 60 to return to basic schooling. But, if the Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao and even Chief Minister Pramod Sawant don't have to struggle in understanding what I write, I hope my social media pal from South Goa will try and cope with the situation. May be we could bridge the gap once the new Zuari bridge is operational.
In all that I candidly and fearlessly write, I attempt to ensure that nobody needs the assistance of a dictionary to read and understand the thoughts I express. I always aim for clarity, fact and sincerity. David Gerrold an American novelist echoed my thoughts when he said 'The single most important lesson of effective communication is this: Focus on clarity. Concentrate on precision. Don't worry always about constructing beautiful sentences. Beauty comes from meaning, not language. Accuracy is the most effective style of all".
Have at all times believed that the Pen is always mightier than the Sword. May it always be so.
Aires Rodrigues
Advocate High Court
C/G-2, Shopping Complex
Ribandar Retreat,
Ribandar – Goa – 403006
Mobile No: 9822684372
Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012
Email: airesrodrigues1@gmail.com
Or
You can also reach me on
Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues
Twitter@rodrigues_aires
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