AboutAndrew Russell Expertise You can try me on any point of grammar and structure, or on vocabulary. English comes alive most in its usage, and I am very experienced with questions of that kind. One of the pleasures of teaching second-language English is when a student raises a point that I have never had to think about before. I work in British English, but have enough knowledge of American and other variations to be able to help.
I'm afraid I don't have the time to to any proofreading, so would have to reject requests, and can't help with translations from other languages. Also, having two small children to keep me busy, questions asked at weekends may have to wait until Monday.
Experience I have been teaching English for 20 years, on and off, and now run my own small school attached to a theatre and arts centre in Chelsea, London.
Organizations NATFHE (lecturers' and teachers' union)
Education/Credentials University to BSc (Zoology)
Certificate in TEFL, but mostly educated on the job.
Past/Present Clients Literally hundreds of students over the years, as a teacher, many more as a Director of Studies, School Administrator and Director.
If you wish, you can check out my school at: www.theenglishschool.co.uk
But please don't use this to ask questions - that's what Allexperts is for.
Expert: Andrew Russell Date: 7/15/2008 Subject: "Myopic..."
Question Sir....while discussing some out of way physical chracteristics used to desribe people figuratively, I used the term "myopic" for a "nearsighted" person. But immediately one of the seniors in group stopped me and warned not to use the adjective for a person unable to see clearly objects at a distance. Upon asking the reason, he said "myopic" is a slang. Is it really? If not, then how come people get insulted if used.
Thanks
Raj (from India)
Answer Dear Indraraj
'Myopic' certainly isn't slang, it's a scientific term - 'Myopia' is the scientific word for short-sightedness (= British English, 'near-sightedness is American English, both equally valid).
I'm myopic myself, as you could tell if you saw the thick glasses I wear (I never have been able to get used to contact lenses). I don't care, though, glasses make a person look distinguished and intellectual, and that's good enough for me.
However, as you have found, I wouldn't like it if someone called me 'myopic', because in general use this has a metaphorical meaning.
It means someone with a limited imagination, who only 'looks' (ie, thinks) as far as they need to - anything beyond their immediate responsibilities or beliefs is clearly either wrong or of no importance - in other words, the exact opposite of an intellectual.
As I say, this is not slang, as such, but general usage. Many scientific terms are known but used differently in general speech - to the specialists who deal with eyes, myopia has it's 'proper' meaning; but to the rest of us, even those who are familiar with the 'true' meaning, it lives as a metaphor.
