Often, I carefully pick at random, among the family of homophones, difficult expressions that look deceitful on the surface that could constitute what the English enthusiasts describe as banana peel or the language blind spots, especially for beginners or learners. To them, as I declared earlier, I owe it a duty to address these new comers how to avoid the mistake of mixing up vocabularies with the danger of misinforming the publics.
From research, a word which sounds the same as another word but is different in spelling and, or meaning, is prone to misinterpretation, giving rise to misuse, thereby constituting noise in the language. The most learned persons are not spared either; the academia, students of foreign languages, especially English, fail on this. To some, they are scared engaging words they are not familiar with, the wise thing to do is to go after vocabularies that would not implicate or indict them. For the smarter ones still, they resign to synonyms that are readily available. Another of these words verbalised the same but different in meaning and spelling are the verbs, “haunt” and “hunt.” They are the blind spots, the writer or journalist should be careful about.
Although, for those relatively comfortable with the expression, even at a glance, they can effortlessly, distinguish between the two homophones, “haunt,” and “hunt.” But as I said, this piece is largely targeted at our teachers, students and those desirous of taking English as first choice to communicate their feelings or thoughts. Taking a cue from the authoritative reference book, Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, the verb “haunt,” is plainly explained as; said of a ghost or spirit; to be present in a place or visit a person or place regularly. It can also be an unpleasant thought, nightmare, especially at the loss of a dear one, husband or wife, for example. “He was haunted by the memory of his dead wife.”
One can correctly write. Past events or horror that keep coming to someone’s mind. It could be an escape from accident, or from the kidnapper’s den; one would only be lucky to be freed by these hardened criminals after going through so much torture. One’s mind would not be at rest as the ghost of the unfortunate incarceration would keep haunting the victim unceasingly. On the other hand, the verb, “hunt,” the dictionary maintains, is to chase and kill animals for food or sport, hunt after or for something or someone; to search for it or hunt for a new home. One can also hunt someone or something down. To pursue or capture enemy at war. Persecute them or it out of existence. Hunt someone or something out or up.
To search or seek something out. The sound alike verbs, “haunt” and “hunt” should no longer be misinterpreted after reading this lesson. They play different roles in the English vocabulary. Like most English purists and masters observed, errors made in the language whether in the written or spoken form, are out of mental laziness, they argue. That some users of the vocabulary are just too laid back to look up words in the dictionary or available reference books to get it right. Never be in a hurry to publish until one is certain that misuse of words, spelling mistakes are corrected. Before I round off this lesson, let me share with you something intriguing that sometimes task our composure.
This English pronunciation “cuisine” we often take for granted. It can make or mar ones chances of mastering the language. The noun “cuisine,” almost always overlooked in our pronunciation exercise. One that we casually treat or don’t pay attention to, at all. Cuisine, the range of food prepared and served at restaurant or an open event. Take it. The correct pronunciation is “kwi’zin.” Did it ever cross your mind to tinker about the right verbalisation? Don’t compromise.
