The blog post discusses the unnecessary use of complex vocabulary words. It argues that [1] using simpler words is sufficient to convey meaning, just as a butter knife instead of a katana can cut butter, and [2] using complex words risks unintended meanings, like implying two quantities should be equal by using "discrepancy" instead of "difference." The post urges readers to self-check that complex words genuinely improve expression over simpler options before inserting "butter katanas" into writing.
The blog post discusses the unnecessary use of complex vocabulary words. It argues that [1] using simpler words is sufficient to convey meaning, just as a butter knife instead of a katana can cut butter, and [2] using complex words risks unintended meanings, like implying two quantities should be equal by using "discrepancy" instead of "difference." The post urges readers to self-check that complex words genuinely improve expression over simpler options before inserting "butter katanas" into writing.
The blog post discusses the unnecessary use of complex vocabulary words. It argues that [1] using simpler words is sufficient to convey meaning, just as a butter knife instead of a katana can cut butter, and [2] using complex words risks unintended meanings, like implying two quantities should be equal by using "discrepancy" instead of "difference." The post urges readers to self-check that complex words genuinely improve expression over simpler options before inserting "butter katanas" into writing.
The blog post discusses the unnecessary use of complex vocabulary words. It argues that [1] using simpler words is sufficient to convey meaning, just as a butter knife instead of a katana can cut butter, and [2] using complex words risks unintended meanings, like implying two quantities should be equal by using "discrepancy" instead of "difference." The post urges readers to self-check that complex words genuinely improve expression over simpler options before inserting "butter katanas" into writing.
THE BUTTER KATANA I think that, despite our different viewpoints, we can all agree that if a friend polaris_511 of ours were to suggest using a katana to cut a stick of butter, we would immediately dismiss the idea as laughable, not because it is impossible for us Senior member to do so, but because a knife would do the job just as well (or even better, considering the fact that handling a katana is not something that an average person can do with ease). After all, we only have a butter knife, not a butter katana. Now, let's talk about learning English vocabulary. Although I always try to spend a considerable of time on expanding my repertoire of 'formal' or 'uncommon' English words, it is my personal belief that they are only useful to the extent that they allow me to express a certain idea in a more precise or concise way or, in some cases to avoid repetition and maintain a healthy degree of flexibility whenever I write or speak. Just as you do not use a katana to slice butter because a knife would suffice, so you should never use an 'advanced' or 'complex' word when a simpler one would be enough to get your message across. If you think carefully, embracing simplicity, especially in writing, makes perfect sense. After all, whether you are writing a news article or an argumentative essay, your basic goal is to ensure that the reader can fully understand and remember (and, in some cases, agree with) what you are trying to tell them, and cramming your written work with formal words for no clear communicative purpose will certainly not make your writing more perspicuous to anyone. Another problem that can occur from the wanton use of 'advanced' words is that you will unknowingly convey unintended meanings. One example of this is the rather widespread use of the word "discrepancy" as a so-called "more formal version" of the word "difference". What many learners, advanced English majors and even English teachers still fail to realize is that the definition of "discrepancy" is actually a bit nuanced. Yes, a disparity is a difference, but it is a difference between things THAT SHOULD BE OR SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAME. So when you write a sentence like: "There was a discrepancy between the number of overseas tourists in Japan and that of Spain," you have, despite having no intention of doing so, added a whole new dimension to its meaning–instead of simply describing a statistical difference, you are also subtly saying or assuming that the number of overseas tourists in both Japan and Spain should be, for some logical reason that eludes all of us, the same. If you still struggle to see my point, think of it like this: Without proper knowledge of how to wield and use a katana, it is entirely possible that our poor friend would (1) injure himself, (2) slice the butter in the wrong way, or (3) end up slicing something or someone else. Before you furiously point out how the above attempt at making this post a remotely enjoyable read has failed miserably, I would like to end this blog post with a piece of advice: Whenever you want to use a 'formal', 'uncommon', or 'advanced' word, ask yourself this simple question: Am I using a butter katana?
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