Edit and Proofreading

06/01/2025

Check this out:

Language users have no difficulty in forming words in their languages. This means that a language speaker knows an infinite number of words, knows how the words are constructed and how they can be divided. Language speakers are, however, not conscious of this knowledge. The second edition of th...

29/11/2024

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14/12/2023

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07/12/2023

Here's a brief review of fundamental grammar concepts:

1. Sentence Structures: Sentences typically have a subject (who or what the sentence is about) and a predicate (what the subject is doing or the information about it). The main sentence structures are:

- Simple Sentence: Contains one independent clause.

- Compound Sentence: Contains two or more independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions (e.g., and, but, or).

- Complex Sentence: Contains an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

- Compound-Complex Sentence: Contains two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

2. Parts of Speech: These are the categories into which words are grouped based on their functions:

- Noun: Names a person, place, thing, or idea (e.g., book, cat, love).

- Pronoun: Replaces a noun (e.g., he, she, it, they).

- Verb: Expresses an action or state of being (e.g., run, eat, is).

- Adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun (e.g., happy, tall, beautiful).

- Adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, or adverb, often answering how, when, where, or to what extent (e.g., quickly, very, here).

- Preposition: Shows the relationship between a noun/pronoun and another word in the sentence (e.g., in, on, at).

- Conjunction: Connects words, phrases, or clauses (e.g., and, but, or).

- Interjection: Expresses strong emotions (e.g., wow, oh, hey).

3. Verb Usage:

- Tense: Verbs can be in the past, present, or future tense. Examples: "I ran yesterday" (past), "She sings beautifully" (present), "They will travel tomorrow" (future).

- Agreement: Verbs should agree with their subjects in terms of number (singular or plural). Example: "She dances" (singular), "They dance" (plural).

- Voice: Verbs can be in active or passive voice. Active voice emphasizes the subject as the doer of the action, while passive voice emphasizes the action done to the subject. Example: "He wrote the letter" (active), "The letter was written by him" (passive).

25/11/2023

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/endangered-languages-project_indigenouslanguages-nigerianlanguages-yoruba-activity-7109932932252790784-BUAA?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

05/11/2023

1. Editing:
Editing is the process of revising and improving the overall quality of a written document. It involves a thorough review and analysis of content, structure, language, and style. Editors work on the macro level, ensuring that the document is well-organized, coherent, and effectively communicates its intended message. Some key aspects of editing include:

- Content and organization: Editors assess the clarity and logic of the ideas presented, making sure they flow logically and are well-supported. They may suggest rearranging paragraphs, reordering sections, or removing or adding content to improve the overall structure and coherence.

- Language and style: Editors scrutinize the writing style, word choice, sentence structure, and grammar to enhance readability and ensure consistency. They may rephrase awkward or confusing sentences, eliminate repetitive language, and suggest alternative vocabulary or phrasing to improve the overall quality of the writing.

- Formatting and citation: Editors check for correct formatting, citation styles, headings, and footnotes to ensure adherence to any specified guidelines or requirements.

- Tone and audience: Editors may assess if the tone and language used are appropriate for the intended audience or purpose. They may suggest modifications to make the writing more engaging, impactful, or tailored to its target readers

15/08/2023

Map/Mop. Homophone?

07/04/2023

Does this relate to you?

28/03/2023

Copy editing
Copy editing is an essential step in the writing and publishing process. It involves reviewing a piece of writing for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style, as well as ensuring that the text is clear, concise, and free of errors. The primary goal of copy editing is to ensure that the reader can easily understand and engage with the text. This is achieved through a combination of grammar and spelling checks, as well as more in-depth reviews of the text's structure, tone, and style. One of the most important parts of the copy editing process is reviewing the structure of the text. This includes checking that paragraphs and sentences flow logically and that there are no awkward or confusing transitions between ideas. It also means ensuring that the text is properly formatted for readability and that any headings or subheadings are clear and descriptive. Another key aspect of copy editing is reviewing the tone and style of the text. This includes checking that the text is appropriate for the intended audience and that it is written in a tone and style that is engaging and accessible. For example, a technical report aimed at scientists will have a very different tone and style than a marketing brochure aimed at potential customers. In addition to these more structural concerns, copy editing also involves checking for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. This includes correcting common mistakes such as subject-verb agreement, misplaced commas, and spelling errors. These may seem like minor issues, but they can have a significant impact on the readability and credibility of the text. Finally, copy-editing involves ensuring that any citations, references, or footnotes in the text are accurate and properly formatted. This is especially important in academic writing, where accuracy and precision are essential.
In conclusion, copy editing is a crucial step in the writing and publishing process. It ensures that the text is clear, concise, and free of errors and that it is appropriate for the intended audience. Whether you're writing a blog post, a marketing brochure, or an academic paper, hiring a professional copy editor can help ensure that your text is polished and professional.

22/03/2023

Proofreading is an essential part of any written communication. Whether it's a professional email, a memo, a blog post, or a research paper, proofreading ensures that your message is clear, concise, and error-free. It helps to catch grammatical errors, misspellings, and typos that may distract the reader and undermine your credibility. Here are some tips for effective proofreading:
Take a break
When you finish writing, take a break before you start proofreading. This will help you clear your mind and see your work with fresh eyes.
Read out loud
Reading your work out loud can help you catch errors you might miss when reading silently. It can also help you identify awkward sentences and improve the flow of your writing.
Use spell-check
Spell-check is a useful tool for catching typos and misspellings, but it's not foolproof. Make sure to review the suggestions it offers and choose the correct one.
Check for consistency
Make sure to check for consistency in things like spelling, capitalization, and punctuation throughout your document.
Use a second set of eyes
If possible, ask someone else to proofread your work. They may be able to catch errors you missed or offer suggestions for improving your writing.
Take your time
Proofreading takes time and attention to detail. Make sure to give yourself enough time to review your work thoroughly.
In conclusion, proofreading is an essential part of the writing process. It can help you catch errors and improve the overall quality of your work. By following these tips, you can ensure that your written communication is clear, concise, and error-free.

29/08/2022

Living Tongues Fellow Dr. Bolanle Arokoyo is a linguist who has dedicated her career to documenting threatened languages and dialects in her home country of Nigeria. Her latest article "Living Lexicons" is out now in The Association of Commonwealth Universities's Review. We just received our copy by mail! The latest edition is dedicated to endangered languages and is a fascinating read.

Read Dr. Arokoyo's article here:
https://www.acu.ac.uk/the-acu-review/living-lexicons/

29/08/2022

PART3
Enorhor was on her way to an appointment. She latched her waist-high door, a safeguard against the restless goats and chickens that always refused to stay at their owners’ compound. Her compound was spotlessly clean. Cleanliness was a habit she was taught by her mother. With her trade she couldn’t afford to be shoddy else her customers would become infected and she would become a bad example to them in personal and environmental hygiene. She was greeted by everyone she met on the way. Those who are her age mates or elder called her by her diminutive name, ‘Nohor. Enorhor means blessing and a lot of people see her as a blessing to the village. She passed through the well-kept streets, past the women drying fish on makeshift grills and women coming from farms with their farm produce. They look graceful as they pass along in a single file with bunches of bananas, tubers of yams and cassavas balanced delicately on their heads.
Enorhor could see smoke rising languidly into the sky. It rose from the cassava flake fryers’ sheds. In a little while, she walked past the sheds. She could see containers with heavy weights on top. They contained peeled, grated cassava. These were soaked in the containers. They were then put in sacks and weighted down with big boulders to remove the water. After two days or so, they were taken down. However, if a sour end result was desired, two or more extra days were added. The contents were then spread on a mat to air and dry. The flakes are thereafter fried in a large open fry pan. The dried product, known as garri, is soaked in water in a cup and taken with dried fish or meat. It could otherwise be prepared with hot water and taken with fish and stew. Enorhor stopped in front of a freshly thatched house. The palm fronds on the roof are still green indicating it has been recently re-roofed. In a few days, the colour will turn brown like the other houses around it. A little girl was in the courtyard sorting periwinkles and other assorted shellfish and crabs. These are gathered by the women from the river banks. After eating the contents the empty shells are not discarded but are used for cementing the front yards and compacting the floor generally. “Good afternoon ma,” the girl greeted. “Wa do,” Enorhor replied. She asked after Onakpoma. “Aunty is in” the little girl answered.
Enorhor entered the dimly lit living-room. She waited a while for her eyes to adjust to the dim light. Presently she could make out the reclining figure of Onakpoma on a raffia mat in the corner of the room. A palm frond broom leaned against the wall in a far corner. There was a slight rustle as a wall gecko ran after a winged insect in the drying fronds of the roof, making a ruffling sound. “Do!” Enorhor greeted. Onakpoma replied, brightening up a little. It could be observed she was making an effort to sound somewhat cheerful. She was well into her last month of pregnancy. Her tummy was greatly distended. Since this was her first pregnancy she wasn’t finding it something to look forward to another time. Her husband, Onanoja, had gone on one of his fishing trips. It took two days for Onanoja and his fishing companions to go and come back from their fishing expeditions. They fished in groups and divided the catch equally on arrival at the shore.
Onakpoma shifted her weight for more convenience. Enorhor could instinctively sense her discomfort. “How are you doing?” Enorhor asked without really expecting a reply. Onakpoma mumbled something. Enorhor fetched a low stool and sat opposite her. She inspected Onakpoma’s swollen ankles and joints. She pulled Onakpoma’s waist-length wrapper to one side to reveal a large protruding stomach. The stomach was well rounded and shinning, obviously, from the balm Enorhor gave her on her last visit. It was to make sure that all was well with the baby growing inside her.

25/08/2022

PART 2
Enorhor could still remember as if it happened yesterday. Palm fronds were tied round Obatare’s twins’ necks to show they belong to the gods. They were then placed in a woven basket in a ceremony presided over by the high priest. A fierce figure, the high priest seemingly materialized from within the crowd gathered at the river bank. He was a wizened old man with sharp features not unlike an elf. He had a hooked pointed nose like that of an eagle. All his mates were long dead and no one could really hazard a guess as to his true age. He had a chalk mark drawn round his right eyes. His eyes were bloodshot, no doubt from swigging fermented palm wine so early in the morning. Underneath his white frock could be glimpsed a red wrapper. Without looking at the weeping Obatare and her sniffing husband, the high priest raised up the woven basket and promptly reeled off the sins committed by the twins. He reminded the people of the repercussions of the occasion of the twins’ births to the village. After this, he gave the basket to Obatare, as if alleging she brought the twins into the world and so she should rid the community of them. With red and puffy eyes Obatare took the basket from the high priest with trembling hands. Turning her eyes to the rain-laden heavens she declared: “O gods, why have you given me the blessings that you never intended me to keep? Why, why? What sin have I committed? Oh that you didn’t answer my prayers for pregnancy in the first place!” At this, she could not go on again. She felt very weak to her bone marrows. The women took up a long haunting wail. A lightning streaked in the distance followed seconds later by a low rumble.
Enorhor looked on reluctantly, unable to wrap her head around the inhumanity of it all. Deep within her, she believed the twins were not guilty of any crimes but she dared not voice out her conviction. Such was the custom that any who think contrary is branded a deviant and looked upon with suspicion by the whole community. Such a person may even be ostracized from the community by the elders. It was therefore with a bleeding heart that Enorhor forced herself to look on. The high priest was summoning Obatare to move into the river. Obatare took some faltering steps into the river and continued slowly forward. The river lapped at her heels. Clutching the basket tightly, she inched her way forward till her naked breasts were just touching the river. She held the basket tightly, reluctant to let go. She took one last longing look at her doomed little angels. The twins looked up at her with angelic smiles. One of the babies chuckled. Obatare’s heart was cut in two. She couldn’t take it anymore. Heavy drops of tears dropped into the padding clothe of the raffia basket. The high priest called out something from the river bank and Obatare turned away her eyes sharply at the same time letting go of the basket. Immediately the current took the basket and its doomed contents swiftly to the call of the gods. The women on the bank gave out an anguished howl. None who heard it could unhear it. It sent chills down everyone’s bone marrow. With heavy heart and feet, the villagers found the way back into the village, each lost in their private thoughts. Even the children were silent in the knowledge that a momentous occasion has just unfolded before their very eyes. Enorhor hastened away towards the village. She had never been this sad. Her eyes were swollen and crimson. At this moment the heavens opened up. It rained fast and furious, maybe to wash away peoples’ tears or to confirm the receipt of the sacrifice by the gods. This happened some eight moons ago.

25/08/2022

PART 1

© Arokoyo Christopher 2018

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages embodied in critical articles or in a review. Trademarked names appear throughout this book. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this work, neither the author nor the publisher shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

ISBN 978-978-965-882-4

E-mail:[email protected]; [email protected]
Website: www.chridamelpublishing.com


CHAPTER ONE


Our story took place in the Niger Delta area in the late 1400s. It began in the shack of Enorhor. She was a woman of about fifty years of age. The pleasant, rotund face had obviously seen better days. She lived in a thatched house. It was a neat and well-kept abode. Her belongings were neatly stacked on various raised platforms of bamboo in order to keep them safe from the floods which ravaged the riverine area every so often. Apart from the main house, there was another slightly smaller outbuilding. Enorhor used this building to ply her trade which was midwifery. She had been the midwife of choice for most of the women in the village for about three decades now. She cut her teeth in the trade through helping her mother, who was also a midwife of no mean repute, in delivering babies of the various women that patronized her. Her mother allowed her to deliver a baby on her
own when she was only eighteen years old. This was after her mother had observed that she was a natural at assisting women birth their babies.
Since her husband passed on at a young age soon early in their marriage, she had immersed herself in her trade. Such was her love for her husband that she vowed never to remarry. Without having her own child, she had decided to invest her time and energy in delivering babies and doing the follow up on the growth and the development of the children she helped birth. The mothers, in turn, showed their appreciation by giving her gifts like cane chairs and tables, raffia mats, fruits and other food items. These items made her generally self-sufficient to the extent that she gave others in need some of her possessions. Only two nights ago she gave a table and some tubers of cassavas to Obatare. Obatare was a mother of two children whose husband, Ebiketon, suffered from a bad leg after an unfortunate fishing incident. Ebiketon had stepped on the poisonous cone snail while fishing among the mangrove. He suffered from a debilitating limp since then. This had seriously reduced his productivity as he could not go for the fishing trips that brought food to the table and which was also exchanged for other necessary household needs. Ebiketon was also grieving the loss of their children who were born twins. The two boys had been sacrificed to the gods for the continued good of the community according to the custom of the land. Twins were an ill wind that blew no one any good. They were ill omen not only to the immediate family but to the whole village. They were the harbingers of everything bad- from the failure of crops, violent storms that blew roofs off the thatched huts, to making the fishes go to depths out of reach of the fishermen, to the loss of fishermen at sea, etc. The only rational and reasonable thing was to do away with the twins as early as possible. This would stay the evil hand of the gods.