English for Technical Communication

  Etymology The study of the origin and history of a word is known as its etymology, a term which, like many of our technical words, comes to us through Latin, but has its origins in Greek (e´tymon “original form” + logia “study of”), and is not to be confused with entomology, also from Greek (e´ntomon “insect”). When we look closely at the etymologies of less technical words, we soon discover that there are many different ways in which new words can enter the language. We should keep in mind that these processes have been at work in the language for some time and a lot of words in daily use today were, at one time, considered barbaric misuses of the language. It is difficult now to understand the views expressed in the early nineteenth century over the “tasteless innovation” of a word like handbook, or the horror expressed by a London newspaper in 1909 over the use of the newly coined word aviation. Yet many new words can cause similar outcries as they come into use today. Rathe...

Task 1 Write down the common prefixes and suffixes as given in the shared document from Technical English (Page no. 6,7,8) Task 2 Write down the list of words as synonyms & antonyms as given the shared document from Technical English by Dr. M. Hemamalini. (page no. 10,11,12) Task 3 Find out the difference between following words. discovery-invention                       literary-literacy past-passed                                   bought-brought rent-fare-rate-price                    assent-ascent                   access-excess vocation-profession       ...

Study the following sample on  Précis writing. Answer any three questions/tasks shared with you in class.  Sample  Précis writing  All human beings are liable to err. To be at peace with oneself, the realization of this fact is important. Humanity is faced with numerous struggle and difficulties. We should view our own problems as part of a universal struggle and brace ourselves to meet every difficulty with fortitude. To be frantic and desperate on such occasions cannot help the situations. Perhaps the greatest folly is for each of us to hug his troubles to himself. Often the path through our worst worries can be made smoother if we seek the guidance of a trusted friend. But there are limits to human wisdom. The only way to endure large evils is to find large consolations. The key to this search is prayer. The faith in a beneficent ‘High Power’ can carry us through our most anxious moments. It has cured many people of their diseases and banished melancholy form thei...

Read the short story  "The Blue Light"  shared with you.   Written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, one of the finest short story writers, believed to have revolutionized Malayalam literature by integrating his stories with sarcasm, wit, and, humour,  The Blue Light  can become favourite of anyone.  The short story was originally written in Malayalam in 1954. What I  read was an English translation done by O.V. Usha, herself a Malayali poet and a novelist. Take the following Quiz once you finish the Reading.  https://forms.gle/E1EU2xkjHdcbkHno7 Happy Reading!!

TASK Click on the link given below. You will find English Listening Lessons on it. https://www.talkenglish.com/listening/listen.aspx There are audio Listening lessons for three levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each lesson will have three steps: Step 1 : Listen to Dialogue. Step 2 : Quiz view questions. Step3: Show Conversation Dialogue. Follow the steps. Take screenshots of the quiz that you take. You need to take at least THREE quizzes from all three levels. Upload the screenshots on the blog that you create as an assignment.