Forewarned is forearmed

SATURDAY PUNCH of August 19 leads the faulty bunch today: “…remanded in prison…” Just remanded—usually in prison/EFCC custody

Daily Sun Editorial of August 16 goofed on two occasions: “What this means is that the explosives have been lying idle for over 47 years, posing a threat to lives and property.” ‘Life’ here is used generically—it does not mean just a life. This way: life and property.

‘Return back’ (wrong); return (right); ‘log of wood’ (wrong); simply log (right)

Still on Daily Sun Editorial: “To be forewarned is to be forearmed.” Get it right: forewarned is forearmed. The extract is a Nigerian creation unfit for any formal writing, especially an editorial.

OVERHEARD: “How is your children”? My dear reader, over to you!

“The feeling is that many don’t want to be seen to take a position which would be interpreted as confrontational and as such they have resulted (resorted) to lobbying prominent figures outside government to….”

“These 17 luxury cars and SUVs of the former governor which will make any Arabian Sheik grin (green or green with envy) are parked in his GRA Jos adopted home.

“The actual name of the person expected to chairman (chair/preside over) this occasion is….”

Wrong: atimes; right: at times (two words)

“Those who have the power to release the suspect but are passing the bulk (buck) to the courts should be informed that it is against the national interest to refuse to release….”

“The former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, explained that it was not the first time that banks would be liquidated and that the history of bank failure in the country dated (dates) back to 1958 or 1959.” Note: dates back to or dates back from is a stock expression.

“In reaction to the leaflets being circulated, the Kano State Commissioner of Police…made a radio and television broadcast telling the people to ignore the leaflets which he described as the handiwork of mischieve (mischief) makers.” Special note: make-believe (not make-belief).

“When the storm rages, men can do nothing about the storm, but when the storm has seized (ceased), its destruction can be redressed.”

Theoretical linguists, curriculum experts and “educationalists” (educationists or educators), working together or separately, have been busy putting forward suggestions for language education reform. Note especially: “educationalist”, like “invitee” or “indisciplined”, is not in any respected dictionary. These comic words were invented by Nigerians.

“Armed robbers again jolted the commercial city of Lagos last week Friday (last Friday/last Friday week or on Friday, last week).”

“Students write exams half naked (half dressed/half clothed/half covered or half clad, or naked/bare to the waist).”

“I stood up, took another coin out of my pocket and put it near my half–empty (half–full) beer glass.” Special note: in editorial English, we say or write: half clothed/half covered/half dressed/half clad (‘clad’ is obsolete as a participle) naked or bare to the waist or clothed from the waist down or naked/bare, or fully dressed: half-full (not half-empty); semi-literate/half or sub-literate/half lettered (not semi illiterate); half sighted (not half blind); half alive (not half dead); employment problem or unemployment (not unemployment problem).

Unlike other intellectual leaders of Nigerian progressive movement, such as Professors Ikenna Nzimiro, Eskor Toyo, Akin Oyebode, G.G. Darah, Doctors Edwin Madunagu, Ola Oni, Segun Osoba, O. Onoge, Bala Usman, Dr. Tunji Otegbeye is not an “academician” (academic) in a formal sense. Special note: ‘an academician’ is not synonymous with ‘an academic’ just as ‘presently’ is not synonymous with ‘at present.’ ‘Presently’ always means SOON and ‘at present’ always means NOW.

FEEDBACK

Ebere, you have become, like Ndaeyo Uko, a man well-known for his sardonic wit and wisdom and for his penchant for the use of irony and pun. Truly, some Nigerians, including journalists, writers and columnists, are trying their hardest to un-English the English language beyond recognition, just like the people of Virgin Islands! These people’s variety of English is called ‘Calypo English’ just as the African–Americans have ‘South or Black English.’ And Nigerians have ‘Nigerian English’! But English, like truth, is one.

It should be noted that although “still yet” is not accepted as a standard phrase, “yet still” is quite accepted. “Yet still” is used by modem writers, particularly British journalists and writers. Example: “At home (in the U.S.A) the terrifying problems of crime, racial violence, social disharmony refused to yield to oratory, however inspiring, or to law, however comprehensive yet still the Kennedy magic advanced. He was not really a radical; if anything, he was a careful conservator. Some select people called “speech writers” are very fond of mechanical errors that result in failed, fractured or diseased English. It is very sad. Yes, it is our moral duty to ensure that some folk are not allowed to kill this universal language.

Please note that while ‘general consensus’ is unacceptable, ‘broad consensus’ is and while ‘heavy downpour’ is not allowable, ‘great downpour’ is. (Anonymous)

“IT is wrong and insulting to the Office of the Vice-President (V-P) to write ‘Vice President’ as journalists do without hyphenation. In my opinion, ‘vice president’ (without hyphenation) is a president who is immoral and wicked. My view is based on one of the meanings of the noun ‘vice.’ I stand to be corrected.

(Stanley Nduagu, English language teacher and principal, Evangel Secondary School, Isiala Ngwa/Abia State/08062925996)

I agree with the intervention a fortnight ago that in a presidential system, a general election, rather than general elections as used in THE NATION’s Editorial, is correct. It means the totality of scheduled presidential and legislative polls.

Also in the same medium: “Pandemonium and near anarchy was let LOSE” at the Kogi State House of Assembly during an attack by thugs” (see Daily Sun, August 2, 2017, page 6). The paper meant LOOSE, a situation that is out of control.

“As a student, I had always wondered why…they need to WADE (WARD) off competitors….”  (The Nation on Sunday, August 13)

We gladly welcome “Wordsworth” back after a painful blackout.

(KOLA DANISA/07068074257)

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