Let’s be sensitive to proper use of languages

I UNDERSTAND that languages evolve. But there are simple conventions that should not be butchered, lest we end up not knowing how we properly express ourselves.

And this is not fundamentally about the English language but the reality is that, if we use any language, it must be used accurately.

I have been observing how the pronunciation of words is not followed in many instances. This has far-reaching implications for our understanding of the value of communication.

For example, at the Zondo Commission, I have observed how glibly all participants refer to female participants as ‘Miss’. This is an affront to females from what I know and was taught from primary school.

‘Miss’ was challenged a long time ago because it had a gender bias, for ‘Miss’ means a female who is not married and ‘Mrs’ one who is married. That is why ‘Ms’ is neutral and was accepted as the norm.

The issue was: Why should females be caricatured with these titles which indicates whether they are married or not when men are not subject to the same treatment? Indeed, regarding males, ‘Mr’ is used to refer to ‘adult’ males and ‘mister’ is reserved for young males – essentially boys.

Thus, you cannot use the two interchangeably for all males. But here, also, we continue to commit this error.

Let us be sensitive to the proper usage of any language if we are to do justice to communicating properly.

DR THABISI HOEANE |