Writing is a challenge. It is not easy to give shape to ideas, thoughts and feelings that play in the mind because the mind works so fast, and the fact that the mind works in several layers of itself, that by the time you catch one idea in words, the others have escaped, leaving your mind blank or far ahead of what you wanted to say.

Imagine how challenging it should be when you are writing in a language that is not your mother tongue! Writing in English when it is not your native language poses considerable challenge. More than grammar or usage or even idiom, it is the way one experiences life that calls for consideration, when writing in English.

For example, one question that a South Asian asks in his native language is difficult to form in English. It is the question that calls for the answer He is the fifth child in the family.

Try forming a question for that reply!

Sometimes the problem can occur in the vocabulary; what is your wife's sister's husband's sister called? Much of the language we use reflect the culture, tradition and lifestyle we follow. Writing in English can sound sometimes 'un-English' when a person who with non-English background makes an attempt to convey the cultural or social overtones of his milieu.

Now, how to overcome these problems? It is better to begin with some reading. Reading books written by native users of English, looking up a dictionary or a thesaurus for the right word, checking for the register, whether the word is used in formal or informal context, whether the word is used for approving or disapproving-- all these go a long way in making your writing appropriate and effective.

You must also remember that you write to express yourself, not to impress people. The problem arises when you try to impress people with your English. You may consider speaking or writing in good English impressive, but English, you must remember is only a language for a native speaker, and it does not carry the baggage of prestige that it may carry for you as a non-native user.

Follow the rules of grammar, use words correctly, use idiomatic language, use language that is contemporary, and keep your thoughts and ideas clear to write happily in English. And be yourself, be it in style or content.

Being original in thought and language certainly helps. Make words mean what you want to say, and do not say what the word means simply because you want to use the word or words.

ganeshan ramachandran