- usages – and “mis-usages”
assembled under a man-made constitution but are we Guyanese today united in class, one political struggle, social views and purpose? No! And many of us know why. We could be more than one nationality than one nation!
What “One Destiny”? Except that all of us – all groups – yearn to be healthy, safe, free to access opportunities and be prosperous, can any leader(s) or government determine my eventual fate? My Destiny? My own pre-determined course of events might coincide with others, but in a free state, my destiny should be all mine – my faith excepted.
Let our national motto be a clarion call; a charge buried in idealistic vision. And let healthy debate continue as we grapple with other varied myths.
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When journalists write
I’ve always regarded myself as being on the fringes, the periphery of journalism literally. Even before I was allowed to act as this country’s Chief Information Officer (1979-1985) however, as a teacher I ventured into the world of the local newspapers. Then as CIO, I became more immersed with the work of qualified, experienced reporters, journalists, communicators and public relations people. What a discovery!
So I’ve also experienced the deterioration of skills and professionalism in our various media. Even through from the perspective of a “knowledgeable outsider”.
No topnotch “grammarian” myself I never- the- less wince when I hear and read certain usage these days. I’ll avoid the long lists of bloopers, faulty proofreading, mis-pronunciation and grammatical lapses. Instead I make bold to suggest that all media houses employ language consultants to assist senior editors to maintain standards of excellence in reportage, columns, letters, etc. (I know I myself could be subject to correctionsif journalistic licence is ruled out.)
Meanwhile, I’ll be “seriously-lighthearted” as I ask editors to check the meanings of the word “curfew”; the word “sustained”; the word “probe”; any difference between inquiry and enquire and query?
Journalistic jargon-or-lazinessrequires them to write “efforts proved futile”. Write “were unsuccessful” sometimes. Okay?
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You must ponder…
▪1) So you are a proud patriotic Portuguese-Guyanese! Great! Others can become Guyanese citizens too. How? Discuss…
▪2) Our attorney-general is amongst the highest paid cabinet ministers. Head of the local bar and legal affairs ministry, he is also legal adviser to the government and Chairman of the Granger-led People’s National Congress (PNC). The dickens with any apology.
▪3) Great start Kaieteur News! In enumerating projects on which billions were squandered.
Now compile a comprehensive list and request perpetrators to explain to our poor people.
▪4) I state again: former military officers are well-qualified (beyond military subjects and disciplines.) Now name 25 positions now filled by citizens.
▪5) Who would you say are more “empowered” to execute the cocaine drug trade? Senior businessmen? Or senior politicians? Or both? Discuss…
▪6) Darn it! When will the old abandoned co-op bank building in Stabroek be converted into a lovely vendor’s mall? When!?
Til next week!