In defence of English - Part 1

Over time and on social forums, I have been quite amazed at the way a good number of Nigerians are quick to mount a wall of defence around anyone rightly accused of murdering English in the use of the language. Agreed, every Nigerian can’t speak English as eloquently as Wole Soyinka or use jaw-breaking words like Rev Chris Okotie and Patrick Obahiagbon; but I think a graduate, especially, should be able to express himself in simple and grammatically correct English, at least. 

I’m not so much about pronunciation, given the multi-dialects pattern of our language in Nigeria; but in formal writings and gatherings, what excuse do we have for “throwing bullets” at our readers or listeners? It is very annoying to hear people give excuses why it is not compulsory they speak “good” English. More annoying are the reasons they give to back up their ridiculous claims.

They say: Why are Nigerians so obsessed about English. Is English our mother tongue? English is not our father’s language. 

I say: What is our lingua franca? Has it changed from English?

They say: Nobody is above mistakes. Anyone can mistakenly “throw bullets” when they talk.

I say: Very true. But some bullets are just so unpardonable. A university graduate was asked what he would do if as a member of an interview panel, he meets an employee of his company, who had called to say he was ill and could not come to work, among the job seekers. He wrote:

‘i‘llfeign ignorance of his presence @ dinterview ground, and went ahead with dinterview ntminding dimplications it’swould cause me, after all we all want 2 progress in life, who knwshow is been treated on his current job. And if he has a gudnsuperior presentation of augumentsand reasons base on dwelfare and job secureritypackages,hiscompetentence,anwe can no longer pay him, i’llfreed.’

If you were an interviewer, and a supposed graduate wrote this for you, won’t you think more than twice about considering such a person for employment?

They say: English will not put food on our tables. 

I say: One reason unemployment rate is still high is because we have graduates whose English is so bad that interviewers and prospective employees are not even willing to check out the applicants’ skills as related to the job. 

They say: English is just a language. Speaking flawless English is not an achievement. Nigeria is not developed because some of us spend time picking errors in English when we could spend the same time doing research like they do abroad. 

I say: If in English-speaking countries, researchers submit proposals written in terrible English or give presentations that will make the audience run for cover, I doubt they would be given the chance to “search” in the first place, not to talk of "re-search”. And the research proposals will end up in shredders the way a good number of application letters, proposals and manuscripts end here in Nigeria. 

They say: Can a Chinese graduate write English fluently?

I say: A “Chinese” graduate may not write English fluently if he was not taught in English and did not grow up in an English-speaking environment. But in a country where English is our language of trade, education and communication, it is expected that we are proficient in it. For instance, it will be a big shame if a Frenchman speaks or writes poor French.

They say: Is speaking a foreign language correctly a measure of someone’s intelligence or competence?

I say: Yes. Speaking a foreign language correctly (English, in this case) is a measure of intelligence and competence because we live in a country where English Language is our lingua franca. If English is not important, why is it our language of instruction and learning in schools? Why do we write our exams in English? Why do we have to speak English when we are interviewed for jobs? With the number of local dialects we have in Nigeria, it only makes it easy if we speak one common language, which has been English from generations.

They say: Messi speaks no English, yet he is rich, famous, and keeps winning the FIFA Ballon d'Or. 

I say: If English is his language of education, commerce, politics and entertainment, and he can’t speak it, shame on him.

What is the use of having a brilliant idea that you can’t effectively and correctly express? And instead of being quick to join the bandwagon of those who remain on one spot and comfort themselves in the belief that English is meant only for the Queen of England, get trained. Read books on grammar and usage. Read books on effective communication and writing. You have no excuse for subjecting people to the pain of dodging their heads because you throw daggers when you talk.

As long as English remains our specific language of communication in Nigeria, we have no reason not to get it right!