Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Language: nouns, names, idioms and homophones
Form nouns from verbs and use names, idioms and homophones correctly.
Nouns from verbs. Many nouns are made by adding -(at)ion or -ment to a verb:
- form → formation, govern → government, achieve → achievement;
- some change spelling: rebel → rebellion, constitute → constitution.
Others use -ance: assist → assistance, resist → resistance.
'The' with a name. Usually we do not say 'the Nelson Mandela'. But 'the Oliver Tambos' means 'many people like Oliver Tambo'. In the same way:
- 'the Madhubala of our times' = a star as great as Madhubala;
- 'the Alexanders and the Napoleons' = great conquerors.
Idioms from the text.
- not unmindful of: aware of;
- pushed to our limits: unable to bear any more;
- keep me going: help me keep hoping;
- earning my keep: earning enough to live on.
Homophones: same look, different meaning.
- 'The bandage was wound around the wound.' (wrapped / injury)
- 'The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.' (leave / sweet dish / sandy land)
Suffixes make nouns; 'the' + a name can mean 'people like'.
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