Late Became !: Recent Episodes
Umes Shrestha
From Kathmandu, this is Late Became, a podcast for Nepali learners of English language. I am your host Umes Shrestha.
This is episode number three.
On this episode, I will be talking about the differences between ‘to read’ and ‘to study’. Similarly, I will also try to explain the differences between ‘to take an exam’ and ‘to give an exam’.
But to start off this episode, let me ask you a question. Which one is the correct sentence?
a. My brother is giving an exam to get the scholarship. b. My brother is taking an exam to get the scholarship.
I’ll give you the answer at the end of this episode.
Now, let me continue with today’s agenda – the differences between the two verbs ‘to read’ and ‘to study’. Whenever I ask my students for an introduction, this is what they usually say.
I am Pooja Gauro. I read in Gautam School. I read in Class 9.
Likewise, you will hear them saying: “I read in a private boarding school” or “I am reading in Class 10”.
Since, the two verbs ‘to read’ and ‘to study’ have almost the same meaning ‘padhnu’ in Nepali, students assume the two verbs as interchangeable and use the verb ‘read’ inappropriately instead of ‘study’.
Though the dictionary meanings of these words are very similar, and they are basically synonyms of each other, remember: there’s a difference between the implied meanings or the hidden meanings of these two verbs. Let me give you some examples.
You can read a book. You can also read a story. You can read newspapers. You can spend time reading comic books. You read a text, a letter, a magazine or signs. And, you read your notes for exams.
But, You study in a school. You study in a class. That’s where you gain or acquire knowledge.
If you are looking for deeper knowledge, you can also study a subject, for instance, you can study a bird’s behaviour. You can study about stars and planets. You can study about music.
You can also study for an examination by reading an English grammar book.
Is the picture a bit clearer now? I’m hoping it is.
So, ‘to read’ usually has a narrow sense - padhnu, while ‘to study’ has a broad sense – adhyan garnu. For example: You can read a story book. After you finish reading the book, you can study it carefully for its design, layout, content and language.
I hope this clears the confusion about ‘read’ and ‘study’.
Now, let me talk about the next confusing pair.
Many Nepali students or speakers of English get confused over ‘take an exam’ and ‘give an exam’. And, I confess that I often say “I am giving an exam” when in fact I should be saying “I am taking an exam”. The English grammar says, it’s the other way around. But, I repeat the same mistakes all the time.
One reason for this mistake is probably because the meanings of ‘give an exam’ and ‘take an exam’ are completely opposite in Nepali. “Give” means ‘dinu” and thus we say ‘kitab deu – give me a book’, ‘paisa deu – give me some money’ and similarly ‘jaanch dinu – give an exam’. It seems very logical, doesn’t it?
But despite sounding logical for our Nepali ears, English has its own way to work out these meanings. So, for example, if Aayush is a student and he is in the exam hall, you will have to say “Aayush is taking an exam”. It is ungrammatical to say, “Aayush is giving an exam”. Bear in mind, the teachers give the students exam, while the students take the exam.
This brings me back to the question I asked earlier. I asked you which one is the correct sentence. a. My brother is giving an exam to get the scholarship. b. My brother is taking an exam to get the scholarship.
I hope you said ‘b’. Since my brother is a student and he’s trying to get a scholarship, the correct sentence is ‘b’ – My brother is taking an exam to get the scholarship.
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So in this episode of the podcast, I talked about the differences between to read and to study – and – to give and to take exam. I hope it was helpful for you.
Remember, you can download the audio transcript of the podcast in my blog www.latebecame.wordpress.com. If you want to suggest me a topic for the podcast, you can also do so by mailing me at latebecame@gmail.com
So, until the next episode.. keep learning and keep practicing.
What ticks you off? http://www.latebecame.wordpress.com Umes Shrestha, Kathmandu, Nepal
Well, in my case, I really get ticked off when I’m riding my bike through a traffic jam, and then there’s a microbus behind me, honking the horn every two seconds. These microbus drivers are so annoying most of the times.
I also get ticked off when I’m flipping through Nepali TV channels and every channel has the same news about the same politician cutting ribbons and inaugurating the same types of programs. These news tick me off so much that sometimes I feel like smashing the TV screen.
I also get ticked off when I’m standing on the line to pay the telephone bills. Then, comes a guy behind me to join the line, and starts pushing me with his stomach even though there is enough room for another hundred people. If you ever go to the counters of Nepal Telecom or Nepal Electricity Authority, you will definitely know what I’m talking about. These people should be sent back to school and should be forced to take classes on manners and social etiquette.
I’m sure you must have faced situations where you just wanted to explode in anger or hit someone in his (or her) face. And I’m sure you must have come across some people who instantly tick you off with their attitude or behaviour or even appearance. You just don’t like the person. And whatever he (or she) does just ticks you off straight away.
So, by now, I believe you have already figured out the meaning of the expression “to be ticked off’.
Yes, it means ‘to be annoyed and irritated’ about something or someone. Sometimes, I even get ticked off with myself. I just can’t seem to solve an easy problem or I get lazy and put off my assignment till the eleventh hour – then I get ticked off with myself.
Now. I’m going share with you five more things that tick me off.
1.Taxi drivers trying to overcharge me. 2.Traffic police officers harassing the bikers. 3.Irresponsible public servants delaying their work intentionally. 4.People spitting on the side of stairs. 5.And, people who act as if they have to pay to smile.
Sometimes there might be a genuine reason to be ticked off. And sometimes we might be overreacting or being illogical as well. But, remember – being ticked off all the time, even for a minor reason is not good for health. You can’t remain annoyed or angry or irritated, and carry a grumpy face all the time. Being ‘ticked off’ is one thing, and showing your anger and behaving badly is another. You need to pause, think and behave sensibly or else you might end up in a big problem.
I used to get ticked off with my students whenever I heard their ungrammatical and non-standard expressions. But later, I came to understand the reasons for their non-standard English. Since then, I have in fact, started to enjoy their unique expressions. I love their weird expressions like ‘homework became’ or ‘Sir finish’ or ‘book give’ and even ‘late became’, which, as you already know, is the name of my blog and the podcast.
This podcast is titled – DO a mistake or MAKE a mistake.
I’ve been doing a few trial recordings and I’m putting out this one for download so that I can get your suggestions and comments. It’s recorded in my room with an Iphone, mixed on Premier 2. Music by yours truly. I can’t get any professional than this :)
The transcript: http://latebecame.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/podcast-making-or-doing-mistakes.doc