Speak carefully, clearly and correctly

TALKING is a good way for a person to look at what is in our mind. Expression and the movements of the mind are seen through the arrangements of words. Quiet often one could misinterpret what is said simply because they fail to understand the language used.

Why is language so important? When a person speaks in proper style that shows that the speaker has a clear mind and thus speaks in the correct language due to the fact that they take the effort to speak carefully, clearly and correctly. This is then reflected on their presentation as a person, the family that they grew up in, the establishment they work for and the country they live in.

At one time ago, there was a comment that French people are snobs. In actual fact, they are not, it is just that they prefer to have their language spoken properly. The importance the French put on the language is high as speaking properly (regardless of any language) is important, not because they are French.

But then after all, the French language was the diplomatic language of the world at one time. What is highlighted here is the fact that when people are speaking, complete with grammatical order and intonations, makes or breaks another person's mark of respect for the speaker, be that English, Malay or English.

There are various languages that have been affected by cross culture activities, taught by teachers who do not understand the language they teach and those who think that the language they speak is correct and created a posh accent and new terms into it. The one language that is affected the most is the English language. Although presently English is a global language, one must not forget the fact that the language has its origin and should be spoken, as it should be. A person often laughs at others who speak another language in a comical way whose mother tongue is of course another language. The same way goes with English. But still most of these broken English-speaking folks think of them as acceptable.

It is said that the English were lazy to learn foreign languages thus forcing others to speak their lingo. Taking this into account, the English language did take several local lingoes. The main reason for this is that, the subject do not exist in the English culture so the word was picked up from the language of origin. Examples include the word Sarong (tubular skirt in Malay), Tsunami (Wall of water in Japanese), Curry (spice in Hindi), Tea (teh in Chinese) and so much more.

This doesn't mean that one should speak as the queen of England but one should speak grammatically correct. It is not some thing to be laughed at as one who speaks in the public wrongly will be ridiculed as a proof that the speaker do not take time to look at themselves.

The same with written language. At times, we are inclined to add in our own words due to the fact that it is available in the language of the mother tongue and not in the English language. The main reason for this is of course the writer who also speaks that language, do not understand the know-how to speak English.

But assumingly enough, they pick up the language not by learning but mostly by assuming and of course ... from the television. It is also strange to note that some of the television VJs or what ever you may call it, often speak broken English and usually added their own lingo in the name sake of being "Hip, Cool or Hot" or what ever thus creating a more misleading language presentation and making a fool of the community that looks and follows them.

But at the same time, the television world and the media laughs at people who do not speak proper English when it was their fault in the first place. So whose fault is it?

Commenting on that, what about those who speaks with accents? Of course this is a very interesting issue. In actual fact it is still English but understandably with an accent. What is a humorous is that most who speak with an accent and grammatically wrong, mentioned it as English proper. For example: the "kat on the taybol is blak in kolor". The actual language should be spoken as; "the colour of the cat on the table is black".

Unfortunately, most of us would say that the accent is American. Have you ever heard of Americans as Obama, George Clooney, and Marilyn Monroe speaking in that accent? That is just an excuse to avoid the issue that they do not study the language well or at all.

Tragically sad for an introduction to the language. Many parents, especially those who have been studying in England, Australia or America commented and complained it to be so but nothing can be done, as it is the norm in the majority of the private education establishments.

Quality is often influenced by expenses that is more on the conscious of money spinning income establishments. These highly educated parents suggested that the Ministry of Education should do something about improper teaching as the language is depleting fast either grammatically or pronunciation wise.

Thus many, who can afford, send their children to native English speakers' schools and as an alternative, government schools.

It is for that matter, many of the diplomat and ambassadors around the world go through proper speaking course. The aim is not only for diplomatic purposes but also as a reflection of the nation, profession and the person who carry the language while speaking either in the native or English language. Language as well as its presentation is taken seriously.

On the other side of the coin, it is interesting to note that the English language has come a long way in terms of variety.

The "Singlish" (Singapore English), "Bringlish" (Brunei English) and so forth have become substances of joke that is considered acceptable. What is worrying these days are that many are afraid to use the Malay language proper and replace them with the English language in the name of "Changgih" (sophistication).

On the Physiological side, a group of people who change the language with another (unless the word is not available in the speaker's language and culture as that of English) shows their embarrassment in using and speaking their language. In the name sake of language development and in the excuse of language widening, the modern Malay language speaker and most often the intellect, speaks using other language that is turned into the Malay language.

As an example: "Merealisasikan solusi kompromi kedua famili demi meredakan situasi konflik yang eskelating". Why don't they speak English properly instead and eliminate the Malay language totally as they are ashamed to use the actual Malay language? In fact the statement says in Malay: "cara bertolak ansur untuk mengurangkan ketegangan yang sedang meningkat di antara kedua keluarga dapat dijadikan kenyataan" (Or in proper English: "In realising a solution to compromise to resolve the situation of an escalating conflict between both families").

The English language itself is an interesting language that has develop its own identity but still it is preferred to have the language as it should be spoken and in proper. It is annoying for some one who claims that they speak good English but in actual fact they don't even speak proper.

That is reflected on the person who speaks and writes the language.

The Brunei Times