'Big English': the noise that kills the message

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CHARLES B: 12 years ago

ANY PERSON WHO LOVES USING BIG ENGLISH IS DUMM UN ADVANCE BECAUSE NOT EVEN THE BRITISH USES BIG ENGLISH WHEN COMMUMICATING; BUT GHANAIANS THINK THE MUST USE BIG ENGLISH TO PROVE THEIR KNOWLEDGE IN THE LANGAUGE:

ANY PERSON WHO LOVES USING BIG ENGLISH IS DUMM UN ADVANCE BECAUSE NOT EVEN THE BRITISH USES BIG ENGLISH WHEN COMMUMICATING; BUT GHANAIANS THINK THE MUST USE BIG ENGLISH TO PROVE THEIR KNOWLEDGE IN THE LANGAUGE:
CHARLES B: 12 years ago

CORRECTION

CORRECTION
ROB 12 years ago

"Our fascination and fondness with Primus, the colourful history and English literature teacher at Nifa Secondary School, could largely be explained by one thing—his flamboyant oratory style and ability to confuse us with l ...
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"Our fascination and fondness with Primus, the colourful history and English literature teacher at Nifa Secondary School, could largely be explained by one thing—his flamboyant oratory style and ability to confuse us with long-winded sentences."

Do you think everybody understands your 'simple' sentence above? "Interrogatories"= jurisprudence parlance.
Kwasi Poku 12 years ago

Trying to remember Dr Ansah but come up short. I thought Primus taught Economics at Nifa and not Lit. May be he did.

Trying to remember Dr Ansah but come up short. I thought Primus taught Economics at Nifa and not Lit. May be he did.
ABRANTIE GYASI 12 years ago

It should be "CHEW AND POUR"with brains but not your"CHEW AND POOR" without brains.

It should be "CHEW AND POUR"with brains but not your"CHEW AND POOR" without brains.
KOLA, LONDON PROPER 12 years ago

They all sound sensational in their reportage and the worse is when you listen to them on the fm-stations, they sound like male Goats after a female Goat, very noisy.

They all sound sensational in their reportage and the worse is when you listen to them on the fm-stations, they sound like male Goats after a female Goat, very noisy.
JATO 12 years ago

The substance of an article or news is more important the queens english.What has big words(english)done for us,after all of Hon.Amidu's gargantuan words,Woyome is walking freely with open chest.President of China can not wri ...
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The substance of an article or news is more important the queens english.What has big words(english)done for us,after all of Hon.Amidu's gargantuan words,Woyome is walking freely with open chest.President of China can not write a full sentence in english,yet China is better off than most the english spearking Country.
Nana Ansah 12 years ago

Akufo Addo reminds me of JB Danquah. At rallies Danquah would go for the big words and when it’s all over the crowd would go „What did the bloke say?"

And then came Kwame Nkrumah who knew how to touch and win the hear ...
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Akufo Addo reminds me of JB Danquah. At rallies Danquah would go for the big words and when it’s all over the crowd would go „What did the bloke say?"

And then came Kwame Nkrumah who knew how to touch and win the hearts and minds of the ordinary man on the street by speaking ordinary English which does not need any further search in the dictionary. That won him sympathy because the wo/man at the back seat at the rally could connect with Nkrumah. In the final analysis Nkrumah hands down even when he was a jailbird at James fort in 1951. They rest is history.

So When the people say to a person that s/he "otutu brofo"/ "big words" which no one understands they are making a mockery of the person who has the habit of appling "big words" instead of opting/going for a simple word. That we all fall a prey to using other synonyms or antonyms by looking up thesaurus is normal but also worrisome.

Kofi Ansah, however, I must say that every subject, theme, trade or profession has its own peculiar language and sometimes it is unavoidable to use words pertaining to this class. In medicine you speak a lot of Latin due to biological and chemical words which have their origin in Latin. English words grow and some become fashionable for a period and then disappear for a time and the cycle begins again.

That said, politicians are supposed to represent the people and must therefore communicate in plain language. But hey as the saying goes, if you can’t convince the people the only option left is to confuse them and that is why charlatan politicians parading as leaders choose to apply the sledgehammer English. Great stuff though and a friendly reminder for all of us. Thanks mate!
Nana Ansah 12 years ago

Correction: The rest is history.

Correction: The rest is history.
Nana 12 years ago

Stakeholders, macro-economic stability, growth trajectory, donor community, development partners, socio-economic development, poverty alleviation, debunk, etc etc.

Stakeholders, macro-economic stability, growth trajectory, donor community, development partners, socio-economic development, poverty alleviation, debunk, etc etc.

Kwasi Ntiamoah, California 12 years ago

I have been insulted severally by the Professor Emeritus of English Language, His Excellemcy Okuampah whatever, about his useless use of big English as medium of communication on this network. Oyiwa, Prof.

I have been insulted severally by the Professor Emeritus of English Language, His Excellemcy Okuampah whatever, about his useless use of big English as medium of communication on this network. Oyiwa, Prof.
Dr. SAS, Attorney at Law 12 years ago

The problem with Okoampa is his brain, which doesn't exist, not his English, which is superb.

The problem with Okoampa is his brain, which doesn't exist, not his English, which is superb.
????? 12 years ago

Are you that old? You watched JB Danquah at rallies?

Are you that old? You watched JB Danquah at rallies?
M2 12 years ago

Well done Doc. This is a brilliant piece and points directly to a big issue in our media and society at large. Let's hope your advice is taken on board by our political leaders and journalists, in particular.

Well done Doc. This is a brilliant piece and points directly to a big issue in our media and society at large. Let's hope your advice is taken on board by our political leaders and journalists, in particular.
MARCUS AMPADU 12 years ago

I sincerely wished, Menuah Kofi, that we were all able to use our own Ghanaian languages to communicate, to deliver the messages we want to share. Unfortunately, the language we are using is not ours, and oftentimes we end u ...
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I sincerely wished, Menuah Kofi, that we were all able to use our own Ghanaian languages to communicate, to deliver the messages we want to share. Unfortunately, the language we are using is not ours, and oftentimes we end up with noises that kill our message.

Insightful analysis and better writing are sacrificed not because of 'Big English' per se, but because of grammar, style, and performance.

By grammar, I mean we have to follow the set of rules by which a language functions.
By style, I am referring to the choice, the decision, the writer makes in the choice of how and which words to use.
Performance being where the language is supposed to go into action with the writer trying to match the style to fit the audience and the context.

Using another person language to get your message across is not easy.

We seriously need to consider using our own language because most of our indigenous messages are getting killed by the noise of English prose.
ADDAE 12 years ago

WELL DONE DR.
THIS ARTICLE SHOWS YOU ARE WELL EDUCATED NOT LIKE THIS NONSENSE PROFS./DRS./LAWYERS/POLITICIANS/JOURNALISTS ETC...WANNABES AND BIG ENGLISH ADDICTS IN OUR SOCIETY.

YOU WROTE AND I QUOTE:

Communication is a ...
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WELL DONE DR.
THIS ARTICLE SHOWS YOU ARE WELL EDUCATED NOT LIKE THIS NONSENSE PROFS./DRS./LAWYERS/POLITICIANS/JOURNALISTS ETC...WANNABES AND BIG ENGLISH ADDICTS IN OUR SOCIETY.

YOU WROTE AND I QUOTE:

Communication is about the making of meaning; if you are not getting your message across in the clearest possible way because of your choice of words, you are not communicating.

LACK OF COMMUNICATION IS BRINGING GHANAIANS DOWN IN THEIR OWN MOTHERLAND....SAD..SADNESS

WELL DONE DR. FOR THIS PIECE AND I HOPE MOST OF OUR BRO/SIS WILL READ AND TAKE GOOD NOTE..GOOD BLESS YOU..
LONG LIVE GHANAMAN.
princewilly@ymail.com 12 years ago

Please lets ask Dr Akadu if there is a word called Galamaxy in English.
Let me know about Nimo's brother{Pneumonia]in English.
The Chinese,Japanese,Germans,Italians,Brazilians and the Russians develop their Nation in their ...
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Please lets ask Dr Akadu if there is a word called Galamaxy in English.
Let me know about Nimo's brother{Pneumonia]in English.
The Chinese,Japanese,Germans,Italians,Brazilians and the Russians develop their Nation in their own Language.
ADAMADWA 12 years ago

Galamaxy, do you mean Galamsay?.
if you meant Galamsay,Me nua, Galamsay is the short frorm of GETHER THEM AND SELL.

Galamaxy, do you mean Galamsay?.
if you meant Galamsay,Me nua, Galamsay is the short frorm of GETHER THEM AND SELL.
Jato Kaleo 12 years ago

I hope these so-called journalists heed your advice and use words the average English language can understand.Phrases like " fingered in" just irritate me.They don't impress anybody.They should use simply phrases like "court ...
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I hope these so-called journalists heed your advice and use words the average English language can understand.Phrases like " fingered in" just irritate me.They don't impress anybody.They should use simply phrases like "court costs" instead of "JUDGEMENT DEBT"
Jato Kaleo 12 years ago

Sorry"words the average English language user can understand.

Sorry"words the average English language user can understand.

Concerned Citizen 12 years ago

We are still "colonised" mentally in our behaviour. Suits and necktie in a 90 degree heat. Lawyers with gowns and wigs. We are even "softly killing" our local languages. "Gargantuan" copycats in whatever we do.

We are still "colonised" mentally in our behaviour. Suits and necktie in a 90 degree heat. Lawyers with gowns and wigs. We are even "softly killing" our local languages. "Gargantuan" copycats in whatever we do.
ADAMADWA 12 years ago

Me nua, waka nyasasem paa.Y3mp3 y3 birib ara gye se obi de3 a y3nte ase3.3daa metee s3 Accra wc MAYOR,me sree saa firi m'akonwa so too fom.Eii Oman Ghana, 3b3y3 kakra na ye nni Ohene bio.Na 3kuro biara w) Mayor.Abrofosen nti, ...
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Me nua, waka nyasasem paa.Y3mp3 y3 birib ara gye se obi de3 a y3nte ase3.3daa metee s3 Accra wc MAYOR,me sree saa firi m'akonwa so too fom.Eii Oman Ghana, 3b3y3 kakra na ye nni Ohene bio.Na 3kuro biara w) Mayor.Abrofosen nti, yen din mpo y3m p3.Wo b3hyia wonua Ghananii wose mede, George, Paul, Clinton, Suzy,......hmmmmmmm.Na y3n nwoma ninfo) no koraa de3 3ne3 na men3nka.. Dr.Ford Jameson, Dr. Richard Yeboah Edward....
Dr. SAS, Attorney at Law 12 years ago

There is nothing like "big English" or "small English" for that matter. No matter how a person writes, somebody is going to be confused. For example, this writer's lexical items might pose a big challenge to many readers alth ...
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There is nothing like "big English" or "small English" for that matter. No matter how a person writes, somebody is going to be confused. For example, this writer's lexical items might pose a big challenge to many readers although he is criticizing others' use of vocabulary.
Every writer has the authorial license to choose his style of communication, and those who cannot understand him could give up reading him or search for the meaning of the words. The latter will be some exercise in self improvement.
The nobel prize winner, Wole Soyinka uses words of iron and thunder, and his style might well be the reason for his worldwide fame. The same applies to Ayikwei Armah and William Shakespeare. These people don't write for toothing readers!
Instead of advocating simplicity in English, the writer should admonish readers to decipher new vocabulary items as a way of learning. That will be some progress in their proficiency in the language.
Hamid 12 years ago

I agree with your point about "big" or "small" English. The writer will have a hard time telling us which words are "big" or "small".

You are right about your second point - authorial licence. But I think the present write ...
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I agree with your point about "big" or "small" English. The writer will have a hard time telling us which words are "big" or "small".

You are right about your second point - authorial licence. But I think the present writer is referring exclusively to journalistic writing or writing for the general public. Even journalists too may have their authorial licence but if they keep their eyes on their readership, they will know the extent to which they can exercise their authorial licence.

Wolé Soyinka. You are right there too but even Wolé Soyinka doesn't use words of "iron and thunder" in his purely journalistic pieces. You can see that if you read his articles in the Nigerian dailies. One of the strengths of Wolé is his ability to write in crisp, clear and simple language if he wants to and to reserve (more often) his other type for the heavier stuff.

Your last point: I think the present writer has a point which he may not have expressed well. There are people who purposefully choose certain words for the sake of those words. Perhaps they want to, purposefully, send readers scurrying for their dictionaries. If such a practice becomes the aim of the writing, then something is wrong. People can still learn new vocabulary and expressions from writing that is simple, straightforward and ... crisp!
Dr. SAS, Attorney at Law 12 years ago

Good input Hamid!
Thanks.

Good input Hamid!
Thanks.
Akadu Mensema 12 years ago

Exactly, my point below!

Exactly, my point below!
Hamid 12 years ago

The standard of journalism in Ghana has ALWAYS been poor! There is a tendency to think that journalism was better in our country in the olden days. That is not really true. We have had a few journalists who were really good, ...
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The standard of journalism in Ghana has ALWAYS been poor! There is a tendency to think that journalism was better in our country in the olden days. That is not really true. We have had a few journalists who were really good, really, really good. But they were very few. Standards have always been low. Looks like in Ghana, most of the naturally talented writers never turned to journalism. Well, in the end, good journalism (like any good writing) is a matter of talent and experience.

I agree with you that standards have worsened and this is a tragedy since they were not even high to start with.

You blame the internet for lowering standards. Perhaps it is not exactly so. What the internet has done is to give a voice to everybody which means even to those who cannot write well. There are still media outlets on the internet which produce very excellent stuff - always! The old newspapers in Europe and north America still have excellent online editions - sometimes even better than their print editions since the internet offers you the opportunity of continuous editing. The fact is that the print editions of the Ghanaian newspapers are very poor so you will expect the online editions to be poor too. The internet cannot be blamed for that!

I don't exactly know what you mean by "big words". You should have defined that or used another term to convey what you mean. I don't know the manner in which the examples you give can be called "big words". Will you consider your own article as not containing any "big words" and a good example of the type of journalistic language you are calling for?

Thank you for your piece. It states a problem that has been known to many for a long time. But I doubt if any journalist in Ghana is going to mend his ways after reading your piece. They will continue the way they have always done. That has always been our bane ... (is that a "big word"?)
KWEKU TWENEBOA 12 years ago

Couldn't agree with you more; great piece.

Couldn't agree with you more; great piece.
Akadu Mensema 12 years ago

writing is like finger prints. it differs from person to person! That is the message my class four teacher gave me years ago and it has stuck with me ever since. So let everyone write the way they write!

writing is like finger prints. it differs from person to person! That is the message my class four teacher gave me years ago and it has stuck with me ever since. So let everyone write the way they write!
Activist 12 years ago

So make we broke am go.
I'm proud of anyone who can fully write the so-called "broken-english" or as it's been labeled as "pigeon-english" by the British English importers, then I'd see & accept you as a scholar but not ...
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So make we broke am go.
I'm proud of anyone who can fully write the so-called "broken-english" or as it's been labeled as "pigeon-english" by the British English importers, then I'd see & accept you as a scholar but not an illitrate as many assume;(subject open to corrections).
Can anyone tell an old history tale about Kwaw Bonyi, who confussed the then British rulers with his own home-made English whiles he couldn't even read & write?
This old story ended that, he was brought to England at the cost of the colonial masters of that era to give lectures in high schools to enable them to puzzle out the meanings of his English for their own interests in the Gold Coast & the entire British West African colonies.
To cut it short: Make we broke am & promote our own local vernacular languages instead as a pride!!
Me, I'm proud of Naija Broken-English cos they can broke am well-well whether you go school before or not; everyone understand eachother that way easily!!
So make we de broke am, abi!!

MABRUDA 12 years ago

Please do not let us confuse pigeon as a language and standard English. I believe that pigeon, like creole has attained a "language status". Standard English still remains a separate construct used in certain situations and a ...
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Please do not let us confuse pigeon as a language and standard English. I believe that pigeon, like creole has attained a "language status". Standard English still remains a separate construct used in certain situations and abandoning it will only serve to isolate Ghana as an English speaking country. Note that English is now a tool and not the sole reserve of certain countries in the world.
John 12 years ago

I enjoy reading your piece,but is it always true that Ghanaian politicians like using "big english"?My O level English teacher once told me that Dr Busia,was good at using simple English which everybody understood.

I enjoy reading your piece,but is it always true that Ghanaian politicians like using "big english"?My O level English teacher once told me that Dr Busia,was good at using simple English which everybody understood.
MABRUDA 12 years ago

"Unfortunate" is one they've come across lately. Never mind big English, Ghanaian journalist can not use the participle - he is involve instead of "involved". Also, Gloria Akuffo can not be BORDERED (they mean bothered).Who t ...
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"Unfortunate" is one they've come across lately. Never mind big English, Ghanaian journalist can not use the participle - he is involve instead of "involved". Also, Gloria Akuffo can not be BORDERED (they mean bothered).Who taught them English? Well, whether we like it or not,it is still our national language and we must learn to speak and write it properly. By the way, I learnt all my English in Ghana!
Paul Amuna 12 years ago

I support you wholly. I just hope that the journalists in question (or shall I say culprits) will read your piece and learn to communicate better. It seems to me they are all copying each other in putting our this language wh ...
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I support you wholly. I just hope that the journalists in question (or shall I say culprits) will read your piece and learn to communicate better. It seems to me they are all copying each other in putting our this language which narrows the scope of their audience. Shame.
mensah abrampa 12 years ago

I agree with the writer. Whilst we may have different writing styles communication and dissemination of news are not the same.Ideas and thoughts start from the mind .In order for your thoughts to travel from your mind to the ...
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I agree with the writer. Whilst we may have different writing styles communication and dissemination of news are not the same.Ideas and thoughts start from the mind .In order for your thoughts to travel from your mind to the mind of another or bring them to the same level of understanding you'll have to say it in a way that none of your listeners will misunderstand or misinterprete your original thought, idea or your message. Disseminating information is like the parable of the sower where the seeds sown fell in different types of places(soil, ie. hearts, minds) and resulted in different effects and growth patterns. Unfortunately this is what our newswriters do in Ghana. Effective communication is reaching the hearts and minds of your listeners through their ears. Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, a former Prime Minister of the second republic is one person who communicated effectively. He could speak to a kindergarten or intelligentsia audience and could still be well understood by everyone within hearing distance.We can maintain or improve our writing skills and styles but at any moment we must have our audience in mind. Speaking words and phrases that cannot be easily understood by your audience is like speaking gibberish or speaking frafra to an ewe audience. Makes no damn sense.
A Son Of The Land 12 years ago

How ironic?

Did the writer count how many big words he used in his own critique of other writers?

I challenge the Doctor to give this article to first-year undergrads in any of our universities and let's see how many of ...
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How ironic?

Did the writer count how many big words he used in his own critique of other writers?

I challenge the Doctor to give this article to first-year undergrads in any of our universities and let's see how many of them can say they understand every single word in any paragraph in this submission.

I do agree totally with the message the writer wants to voice out, but he did not exercise caution either in the choice of his own words to bring his point home.
Kk3 12 years ago

Isn't that what shows they are 'educated' ? Maybe you should have listened to the vetting committee questions. I stumble on the daily graphic or Ghanaian times sometimes and frankly it's laughable!

Isn't that what shows they are 'educated' ? Maybe you should have listened to the vetting committee questions. I stumble on the daily graphic or Ghanaian times sometimes and frankly it's laughable!
Ye-ye 12 years ago

Mr Big English extraordinaire Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe writes and impresses no-one but himself.

Mr Big English extraordinaire Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe writes and impresses no-one but himself.
B SOYAYA 12 years ago

Excellent write-up. Please, call me. Tried in vain to get you these days.

Excellent write-up. Please, call me. Tried in vain to get you these days.
Prof. Kwame Okoampah Ahonfe 12 years ago

The writer has little command over the english language, hence his attack on those of us who know and understand the language better.

The writer has little command over the english language, hence his attack on those of us who know and understand the language better.
Kwasi Ntiamoah, California 12 years ago

I want to ask you a very simple question. Can you , please, translate what you wrote in your own vernacular here for us to admit that you are a professor? If not then, I will say you are lost, an uneducated literate.

I want to ask you a very simple question. Can you , please, translate what you wrote in your own vernacular here for us to admit that you are a professor? If not then, I will say you are lost, an uneducated literate.
Osibrekete 12 years ago

If in deed you are that educated i am sure you will understand that in ghana only 15 percent of the population have university education. most of us don't. how do you think the rest of us can buy the newspapers that we read ...
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If in deed you are that educated i am sure you will understand that in ghana only 15 percent of the population have university education. most of us don't. how do you think the rest of us can buy the newspapers that we read and understand what is going on? I will emphatically state that, you,like most of the so called graduates in ghana attended school to learn how to read and write shakesperian english. that language was used 200years ago. i dont know what you teach but i will suggest you go back to get educated the modern way. " big english" makes your news media look dumb. can you dig it?
ASUMADU EMESEWOELI, HO, VOLTA REGION 12 years ago

GET IN CONTACT WITH ronjectgroup@rocketmail.com FOR A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF WHY IT IS SO. IT IS A LONG STORY.

GET IN CONTACT WITH ronjectgroup@rocketmail.com FOR A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF WHY IT IS SO. IT IS A LONG STORY.

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'Big English': the noise that kills the message

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