adminI HAVE had the honour and privilege of being invited to assist several high school students over this August vacation at their various stations. I thank all the teachers and students of both English Language and Literature in English for trusting me. And their school heads for opening their school gates. The following are some of the most interesting common errors I discovered or identified playing havoc with the students’ efforts. You will recall in the last installment I focused on common errors caused by what I referred to as ‘mother-tongue interference’; what I called ‘vernacularisation’ of English Language.
You will also recall I said students are punished, penalized, for adulterating English Language or using versions of English that are typically indigenized. We cannot use languages directly translated from vernacular and be proud we are competent in English language communication.
Students will fail-some dismally, if they use a new type of language which sounds like English but really some indigenous verbal concoction of English words and vernacular dialects.
You will remember I also said we all need to upholster our English and communication skills, teachers, students and out-of school adults. The mass media instead of becoming a ‘school’ for those who want to learn the English language, it is frightening to say, has become a conduit of funny versions of the English language. People go to school to learn proper versions of languages they use; acknowledged rules of grammar, both semantics and syntax, not twisting their tongues in funny nasal sounds yet flagrantly breach rules of grammar and sense.
Allow me to go back to my school programme and students who follow me in this new series.
Here is what I got from the schools this August vacation.
‘I found a new job.’ Well, perhaps not terribly bad. But can you sense the indigenous flavour? Would it not be more English to say, ‘I secured a new job.’? ‘I found’ is here directly translated from Shona ‘Ndakawana-I found’.
‘Since from that day I have been. . . ’ Wrong! Instead ‘Since that day’ is correct, isn’t it? The word ‘since, as used in this context does have or imply an element of ‘from’ in it. It is therefore clearly tautologous (repetitive) to use ‘since from’. Tautology means saying the same thing more than once in different ways without making one’s meaning clearer or more forceful. Common examples: To return back / repeat again / two twins.
‘The next morning I found myself with a big stomach.’ This was a pupil describing how he ate something given him in an act of witchcraft whereupon he woke up to find his belly swollen. We certainly all know what he is talking about or writing but none of it is close to English language. Study the statement carefully. Do you see what I am talking about? An example of typical ‘vernacularisation!
Another pupil wrote, ‘They were doing things of not their age,’ meaning ‘zvinhu zvisiri zvezera ravo.’ Perfect Shona! Of course nonsensical English!
Look at this one: ‘Without time he was seen again stealing.’ The student wants to write, ‘In no time he was seen again. . . ’
Then, ‘At home there are duties of herding cattle.’ You see? What are duties “of herding cattle?” Listen to what you are saying carefully all the time. This is another interesting example of a no-sense sentence, isn’t it? The same with, ‘He had a project of selling cattle.’ Does this make sense at all? If it does, eich, you need serious upholstery of your English.
“I was supposed to write examinations of Zimsec.”
“It was the final examination for ‘O’ level”.
“At that time I knew nothing.”
“I could not pay all the money with its interest at once.”
“. . . to eat her supper which was of sadza and boiled pumpkin leaves.”
“Since last year until now. . . ”
“Stealing without permission.”
“. . . heard it with my own ears.”
“. . . saw her with my own eyes.”
“She forgot to put sugar in the tea.”
“I want to throw out some water, I’m coming back shortly.”
“The little boys sleep with the little girls. Don’t worry about an extra bedroom.”
“I gave him a blow (a fist) and he rolled down the steps.”
“The bus fell and rolled down the valley.”
Teachers, please study these sentences, statements, expressions and supply the English versions of the same. What is important is to identify the vernacular flavor and senselessness in English.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you encounter interesting difficulties.
Remember common errors are made by almost all of us. Enjoy learning better communication even if you are not at school to write examinations. Teachers too are learners.
It was Goethe who said, “Ye great teachers: listen to what you say!”
And Kahlil Gibran said, “The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind.
If you are enjoying ‘upholstering’ your English, don’t hesitate to drop me a line via Whatsapp on 0773 883 293 or email me on [email protected] and tell me you are.
Online Reporter