Latest update January 1st, 2025 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

ENGLISH AS SHE IS MURDERED…

May 18, 2011 News

Bill always keeps his ears open on his trips round the rum shops and cambios of Georgetown.He loves the way you Guyanese mangle the English language to within an inch of its death. It takes some doing I tell you.
Bill’s current favourite? The NCN newsreader who announced that the West Indian cricket players were very upset at comments made by the distinguished academic and historian of cricket Sir Hill-ary Beckles. Bet Professor Beckles did not find that tres amusant at all.
His money-changing pal is also a pedant on proper language. He tells me that his current bête noire is epi-tome rather than epitome! Simple mistake, really. The epitome of murdering English.
Bill well remembers some classics of the past. The man at the Bourda Ground who kept telling him the building was ‘dec-repit’ over and over again. Bill was shall we say bemused. So too Mrs Bill. Finally Bill said ‘You mean decrepit’?’ That’s the word he said and it was.
Or the previous NCN newsreader (no name, no pack drill but she now lives on a fancy house on the seawall.) who kept referring to the Col-og-neah Agreement between the EU and the former dependencies. English was her second language as it is for too many of the modern broadcasters. I am sure Rafiq Khan or Vic Insanally or even ‘Akela we’ll do our best’ Ron Robinson would not have made such silly mistakes. Or did they?
And then, yes, Bill finally got there, we have the master of the mangle – C.N. Sharma. His language puts you Guyanese to shame. Think of that election promise to ‘electrocute the whole country’ or his confusing a ‘booth’ at GuyExpo with a ‘boot’ or his mistaking Dr Chanderabali, the distinguished UG registrar, for Dr Surujbally  ‘de dag doctor’ on air.
Don’t get me started on CN – there’s room for an academic paper or two in him. Bill is writing one. Others are too. Won’t be long before UG has a ‘Centre for the Study of C.N.Sharma’!
By the by, looks like Tony Vieira, the TV man, having sold his station for plenty money (Bill hears millions of US dollars) may be on the way to losing C.N. and Savitree’s their licence to print money and the goose that has laid their golden eggs all these years. A Death Announcement for Channel Six soon?
Funny thing this English language. So easy to learn and to use and so easy to mangle. Ready broadcasters – on your marks, get set and go! Hillarious? Bill begs to differ.
Pip!Pip!

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Keevin Allicock – the next torchbearer for Guyanese professional boxing

Keevin Allicock – the next torchbearer for Guyanese professional...

Dec 31, 2024

By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports- In the rich tapestry of Guyanese sports, few names shine as brightly as Keevin Allicock. A prodigious talent with the rare blend of skill, charisma, and grit, Allicock...
Read More
Guyana Harpy Eagles begin Fitness Preparation for 2025 CWI Regional Four-Day Tournament

Guyana Harpy Eagles begin Fitness Preparation for...

Dec 31, 2024

The business end has arrived, a place in the final is at stake tomorrow night

The business end has arrived, a place in the...

Dec 31, 2024

Thirteen-year-old benefits from Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”

Thirteen-year-old benefits from Project...

Dec 31, 2024

Milerock stop Winners Connection 9-3 behind Drakes 5 goal spree, Botafago humble Capital Fc 8-3

Milerock stop Winners Connection 9-3 behind...

Dec 31, 2024

Dharry reigns supreme with second-round KO against Ramirez

Dharry reigns supreme with second-round KO...

Dec 30, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]