THE EDITOR, Sir:
FOR AN English-speaking territory, we have been very guilty of misrepresenting ourselves where the English language is concerned. Where some of our intellectuals continue to advocate for the wider use of the local dialect patois, they should be cognisant of the fact that we have young impressionable minds which tend to pick up on everything that they hear.
The world is not Jamaica, and apart from Chinese, English is one of the most widely used languages of communication. What is worrisome, however, is the mispronunciation of some of the most often used words in the English language. One of these is the word 'Violence' or 'Violent'. We tend to say 'VoIlent' or 'VoIlence'. Some of our main culprits tend to be our so-called 'learned.'
KNOW-HOW NEED
They are all over the talk shows, news reports and interviews and even in some of the very popular reggae songs we listen to. It seems as if school is not enough to teach the correct use of the language anymore. Those with the know-how need to start teaching instead of misrepresenting.
To copy a line from one of our DJs, 'Bounty Killer,' "I'm feeling cross, angry, miserable," but don't worry I have no intention of becoming 'Violent'. I stand corrected.
I am, etc.,
JACQUELINE WRIGHT
Mandeville, Manchester
jamline66@yahoo.com
