Meaning And Intensity

The right word in the right place makes a sentence short and impressive. Once the accurate verbs are used, the use of adjectives and adverbs is reduced significantly. Proper use of verbs and nouns makes a context meaningful and renders the expected impact on readers. Burnishing sentences with exact words helps us avoid furnishing additional information to make any topic clear. This said, the value of adjectives and adverbs cannot be belittled at all. 

As a career straddling between two languages - Nepali and English - where English is used mostly, I always find some words quite playful and interesting. Some words create an indelible impression, while some are forgotten in no time. Spending years in translation, I have fostered a deep love for English words. I cherish learning new ones.  

Some may think it weird to spend time learning new vocabulary at this stage, but it is the reverse in my case, for I regard learning as an integral part of my work. However, how foolish I was once planning to make an English dictionary dog-eared! The rote-learning is not always a solution.

Yes, in translation, some common Nepali words create huge problems. One day, I struggled to find a proper word for 'katuwa ghans'. 'Ghans' is often translated into English as grass or fodder, but what is 'katuwa' called in English? I was indeed in trouble. Going through thesaurus and applying one from among the list of synonyms in a hurry was devastating. So, I carefully searched the field: it was agriculture and livestock. Again, I narrowed down that it was the food to cattle and vegetation. After a while, I found a research article relating to animal husbandry in Nepal's hilly region. Then I got it; grabbed it- 'stubble'. 

Needless to say, one word has multiple meanings. Although I had already known the word 'stubble', it was for another meaning- a short beard. It enriched my vocabulary. When I enter a classroom as a language instructor, inculcating both writing and speaking skills, I sometimes share my experience of learning, which takes the students by surprise. One who lacks proper words faces much trouble in making beautiful sentences, I remind them.

As the students, in a recent class, wanted to learn about translation: Nepali-English-Nepali, I taught them the meaning and intensity of words. I focused on how the proper word from among synonyms could be selected as per context for translation. Then I shared how the meaning of 'funny' could be taken to an upper intensity with the word 'sidesplitting'. If funny is the first step of the feature of something/someone, sidesplitting could be the optimum or extreme form of fun. And what could be other similar words between them? Of course, if you regard funny as the initial stage, 'amusing' could be the second and 'hilarious' the third. These all words are about laughter and amusement, and the significance lies in 'how you react to the situation'.

But, once we see something or someone, and the effect they generate on us can make us funny, amusing, hilarious, and sidesplitting. Beware, the intensity of the word and its meaning which is largely based on context. 'Funny' means 'causing laughter and amusement', while 'sidesplitting' means 'extremely amusing'. You can read a 'funny' book, while the performance of a jester with contortion may be 'sidesplitting'.