Dharmendra's character, a simple car driver in the movie 'Chalte Chalte, attempting to master the english language was aghast at the phonetical challenges some english words presented - 'to', 'do' and 'go' !
Why is the English language short of words ? Short so as to be forced to have different meanings in different contexts. Or sometimes have different words for similar objects and activities ?
e.g. The word 'Lie' can mean many things including as various forms of speech e.g. verb and adjective and can take on different meanings in context. While 'truth' means only one thing in all contexts.
Similarly, 'drive' is physical, metaphysical and philosophical - and a verb or noun all in different contexts. ( I can walk english, talk english and speak english said Amitabh -summarizing pretty much how english can be used)
You 'drive' a car, 'drive' someone out of the house, summon inner 'drive' , 'drive negative thoughts away' , park your car in the 'drive' or even go for a 'drive'. Finally, a screwdriver and a car-driver perform absolutely different functions !
Why do except and accept have to sound the same? Or dairy and diary resonate similarly?
Or why is awesome quite full of praise and aweful devoid of awe?
And why is it cowdung and bullshit?
Secondly, what's with the silent alphabets? i.e. why is the 'p' necessary in pneumonia and why are 'k' and 'w' unnecessary in know?
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