Kenya has been ranked as the second-best English-speaking country in Africa, according to a report by EF English proficiency index. That notwithstanding, it is not uncommon to hear some Kenyans moaning that mastery of English is not a measure of intelligence.
As a matter of fact, fluency in English in Kenya is contemptuously termed “kizungu mingi”. However, proficiency in any given language is obviously a sign of shrewdness. It can also save your blushes or faux pas.
This article seeks to address a few errors we make in spoken and written English.
There is an age-old raging debate among my colleagues as to whether we should be called English teachers or teachers of English. Many of us aver that we should be referred to as teachers of English since ‘English teacher’ is ambiguous. It may mean a teacher of any nationality who teaches English or a teacher of any subject who is from England.
Both English teacher and teacher of English are correct but the preferred version is English teacher since it sounds more natural. Most contexts in which the phrase is used eliminate the possibility of obscurity.
The following are actual gaffes that we often make, usually inadvertently, in speech and writing.
We should use the title Mr with the last name or full name of any man (Mr Wekesa or Mr Eliud Wekesa but not Mr Eliud). Other titles like Mrs, Miss and Ms are also followed by the last name.
When we do something in the spur of the moment or without prior consideration or thought, we say it was done offhand. Therefore, it is wrong to say ‘offhead’.
We often say ‘chaser’ when we mean ‘mixers’. When you need to dilute your drink with a non-alcoholic ingredient such as juice or soda, you use a mixer. A chaser is a drink you have after another drink of another kind, for example, a stronger alcoholic drink such as whisky after a weak one such as beer.
There are many ways to respond when someone utters the informal greeting ‘Hi’. However, the best way is to simply say ‘Hi’. Avoid the temptation of saying, “Hi too”. Some of us have even opted for the bizarre spelling ‘hae’.
Another common error is saying “all protocols observed”, when we want to acknowledge dignitaries during a speech presentation. This is not a standard English construction.
“My names are…” and “My names are called…” are some inaccurate constructions we hear all the time. We should simply say, “My name is…”
We say “I stand corrected” as a way of acknowledging our mistakes, that is, opinions, words or actions. More often than not, we hear people give an opinion and then say “I stand to be corrected” which is not only a wrong expression but it is also wrongly used. You only say “I stand corrected” to admit that something you have said or done was wrong.
As Africans, we begin and end many meetings with prayers. Thus, it is not unusual to hear a “prayer warrior” declare that we should all “bow down for a word of prayer”. “Bow down” is redundant. “Word of prayer” is a strange expression. If you’re called upon to say a prayer, simply say “Let’s bow for a prayer” or “Let’s pray”.
We should also avoid the phrases ‘journey mercies’ or worse still ‘journey masses’ when wishing someone a safe journey or offering travelling mercies.
We sometimes erratically say ‘assume’ when we mean ‘ignore’. The word ‘assume’ may mean that you think or accept that something is true without having proof of it. To ignore somebody is to pretend that you have not seen them or that they are not there. So think twice before you say, “You assumed me”. Most likely you mean, “You ignored me.”
We misspell so many words quite often but the gravest errors affect the words 'fan’ and ‘fun’ and ‘lose’ and ‘loose’. If you are an ardent admirer or enthusiastic devotee of a sports team or celebrity then you are a fan. Fun means enjoyment, amusement or light-hearted pleasure.
‘Lose’ is a verb that means ‘fail to win, to misplace, or to free oneself from someone or something' whereas ‘loose’ is an adjective that means ‘not tight'. We also ought to be keen on the usage of ‘there’, ‘their’ and ‘they’re' or ‘your’ and ‘you're’.
“Greatful” is a common misspelling of the word grateful.
Some English words have odd spellings and pronunciations. Consider the word ‘Yacht'. Many people spell it as ‘Yatch' and thus pronounce it erroneously. How do we pronounce the word “spinach”?
Some students say ‘colleagues’ when referring to their schoolmates or classmates. A colleague is someone you work with or one who shares in your profession and is also known as a workmate if you share the workspace or work in the same institution. Avoid saying my ‘fellow colleagues'. The phrase ‘my colleagues’ suffices.
Something done haphazardly is said to have been done ‘anyhow' not ‘anyhowly'.
I beg to stop here lest I irk you with an unending lecture. The errors are surely interminable.
Language is a tool that can be used to unlock many opportunities and mastery of any language is an invaluable addition to one's communication armoury. Remember, practice makes perfect.
The writer teaches English literature in Bungoma county
