Hi! It’s Professor Panda here!

Here is a basic rule of writing that applies to both English and Japanese:

USE STANDARD ENGLISH OR JAPANESE EXCEPT ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS, AND ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR DICTIONARY ON QUESTIONS OF USAGE.

The language in generally accepted use is known as either STANDARD ENGLISH or STANDARD JAPANESE, which are characterized as the language of educated persons. They are the common language of the great majority of those who communicate in English or Japanese, and that is why they are taught in schools and colleges.

Nonstandard language, in the same way, refers to usages, spellings or pronunciations, such as regional dialects, not typically found in the speech or writing of educated people.

Always consult your dictionary for definitions of the status or usage labels it uses. For example:

·         Slang

·         Dialect

·         Colloquial (conversational, everyday, idiomatic)

·         Informal

·         Obsolete

·         Archaic

The best sources of information are dictionaries which record usage both current and past.

The real question is, “What is appropriate,” rather than, “What is correct?” Unfortunately, a dictionary does not tell you what is “right.” Instead, it describes usage: it tells us who uses what and lets you, the writer, make your own choices.

In minor matters, dictionaries do not always agree with one another. In current dictionaries, for example, you will find the forms cooperate, co-operate, and cooperate for the same word.

If you are studying English or writing in English, I suggest the following dictionaries:

·         The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

·         The Random House Dictionary of the English Language, (College Edition)

·         Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language

·         Webster’s New Collegiate dictionary, Eleventh Edition

A good dictionary is one of the most valuable tools I use as a writer and as an editor; in fact, I can’t tell you how many times a day I refer to one in my work. And even when I’m simply reading to relax or for pleasure, you can bet that a dictionary is close by, just in case I have a question about the meaning of a word or I find a word I am unfamiliar with.

A good dictionary can be a bit expensive (don’t use the small, pocketbook or abridged editions but instead a full-sized dictionary) but it is well worth the investment. You will find yourself referring to it more and more as you work to improve not only your vocabulary, but to improve the style and quality of what you write.

Next time we’ll discuss a little bit about the use of slang. Hope to see you then!