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Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by Freegift75: 6:01am On Aug 08, 2016 |
Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities at USIP By Farooq A. Kperogi, Ph.D. Twitter: @farooqkperogi I am aware that this article won’t endear me to several of my thin-skinned Buhari/APC partisan readers who, interestingly, wildly acclaimed my past articles that pilloried former First Lady Patience Jonathan’s sidesplitting grammatical transgressions. But I am never one to shy away from embarking on what I’m convinced is a just and fair undertaking because of a fear of backlash from mawkish, hypersensitive crybabies. In any case, in my Saturday column—and in my Facebook status updates—I have defended Wife of the President Aisha Buhari against Gov. Ayo Fayose’s brash and reckless calumny against her. In an ironic twist, it was her bid to give the lie to Fayose’s charge that she couldn’t visit the US without being arrested that caused her to come here and give a speech at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) that is the subject of this column. Mrs. Aisha Buhari’s speech at the United States Institute of Peace didn’t rise to the level of former First Lady Patience Jonathan’s legendary contortion of English grammar, but it was inexcusably egregious nonetheless, not least because it was supposed to be the product of preparation and forethought. In general, the speech was riotously incoherent, lacked lexical and semantic discipline, and was peppered with avoidably ugly and elementary grammatical infractions. Mrs. Buhari vacillated between reading from a prepared script and speaking off the cuff. But the prepared speech and Mrs. Buhari’s extemporizations were indistinguishable: both were tortured, infantile, error-ridden, and cringe-worthy. Winston Churchill’s famous putdown of his opponent—"He spoke without a note and almost without a point."—seems to apply to the Wife of the President. (Watch the video below.) Below are highlights of the infelicities that stood out like a sore thumb during Mrs. Buhari’s 10-minute speech at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, DC: 1. Subject-verb agreement. Like Patience Jonathan—and former President Goodluck Jonathan—Aisha Buhari doesn’t seem to have any respect for subject-verb concord rules in English grammar. These howlers illustrate this: “I want to…thank the international community for giving us a solutions…,” “those that needs to be…,” “the school have been running…,” “adult ones that needs the opportunity.” Most people know that a singular subject (such as “the school”) agrees with a singular verb (such as “has”) and a plural subject (such as “those,” “adult ones”) agrees with a plural verb (such as “need” instead of “needs.”) That means the Wife of the President should have said, “those that need to be,” “the school has been running,” “adult ones that need the opportunity.” Of course, “a solutions” is a self-evident bloomer: you don’t pluralize a noun that is preceded by the indefinite article “a” because “a” signals nominal singularity. In other words, “a solutions” is both ungrammatical and illogical since it implies nominal plurality and singularity simultaneously. It is either “solutions” or “a solution.” 2. Redundant pronoun. Pronouns typically take the place of a noun and save us the torment of ungainly repetition. That’s why, in Standard English, pronouns don’t typically appear in the same sentence as the nouns they refer to. In her USIP speech, Mrs. Buhari said the following: “As you are all aware, Boko Haram issue, it is a global issue attached to terrorism, which need [sic] to be addressed globally.” “Boko Haram issue” is the antecedent for the pronoun “it” in the sentence quoted above, which makes the pronoun superfluous since it appears in the same sentence as its antecedent. “Boko Haram is a global issue…” would convey the same meaning—and without the ungrammatical baggage. I admit, though, that redundant pronouns of the kind I identified in Mrs. Buhari’s speech occur in nonstandard native English dialects. But we are talking of an official speech in a formal context in a foreign, English-speaking country. The sentence also violates the basic principle of pronoun-antecedent agreement. The principle says, “A pronoun usually refers to something earlier in the text (its antecedent) and must agree in number — singular/plural — with the thing to which it refers.” The phrase “which need” refers to “Boko Haram issue,” which is a singular subject that needs a singular verb, i.e., “needs.” 3. A curious resultant “done.” During her speech, Mrs. Buhari praised the University of Maiduguri for remaining open even in the worst moments of Boko Haram insurgency. “The university really done us proud,” she said. This is a misuse of the past participle “done” that linguists call the “resultant done.” It is curious because it is typical of the informal, nonstandard (and sometimes illiterate) speech of the American south. In Standard English, the sentence would be reworded as, “The university has done us proud.” If we want to be faithful to Mrs. Buhari’s lexical and structural choice, we would rephrase it as, “The university really did us proud.” 4. Buhari’s government as a “recent regime.” Mrs. Buhari puzzlingly referred to her husband’s administration as “the recent regime.” Here is the context: After thanking the “international community” for its military and financial support that led to the defeat of Boko Haram, in a rather awkward transition, the Wife of the President said, “In which the recent regime has done so far considering what we inherited—the level of insecurity in the country—we can now say that we successfully fought the Boko Haram insurgency.” Apart from the weak, messy transition, that’s some really dizzyingly incoherent verbal blizzard! But the bigger issue is that she called the current administration “a recent regime.” There are two problems with that. First, the word “recent,” especially when it is applied to administrations, implies an immediate past, that is, that which precedes the present. It is both ungrammatical and illogical to speak of an incumbent administration as “recent.” Second, there is always a tone of disapproval when a government is referred to as a “regime.” That is why the word is often reserved for military and other totalitarian governments. Even the Associated Press Stylebook defines “regime” as “the period in which a person or system was in power, often with a negative connotation. For example, Saddam Hussein’s regime, the Nazi regime.” I hope Mrs. Buhari doesn’t consider her husband as the honcho of a regime. 5. “Academicians.” Mrs. Buhari called university lecturers in the audience “academicians.” Well, it’s OK to refer to university teachers as “academicians” in Nigeria and in other non-native English- speaking countries, but it doesn’t hurt to learn the proper form when you address native speakers in their own territory. Educated native English speakers call university teachers “academics,” not “academicians.” www.farooqkperogi.com/2016/08/aisha-buharis-embarrassing-grammatical.html?m=1#.V6bvtF5HOXV.facebook 1 Like 1 Share
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Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by greatgod2012(f): 6:09am On Aug 08, 2016 |
Honestly, you people really have time! Analysing one's command of English like this. Abeg, English language no be our indigenous language jare! 7 Likes |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by dunkem21(m): 6:16am On Aug 08, 2016 |
greatgod2012: You never said this with PEJ 19 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by iamsparrow(m): 6:18am On Aug 08, 2016 |
Abeg who English lang epp 1 Like
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Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by BIGERBOY1: 6:21am On Aug 08, 2016 |
I don't think speaking English impeccably is the aim, rather it's getting the message across. If you listen to the French or Chinese speak English or even the current UN sec gen you'll appreciate what am saying. Enough with our inferiority complex, English is not a measure of intelligence. 5 Likes |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by greatgod2012(f): 6:24am On Aug 08, 2016 |
dunkem21: With all of them, abeg, you lots have time checking whether someone speak good English or not. Where do I have such time 6 Likes |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by greatgod2012(f): 6:27am On Aug 08, 2016 |
BIGERBOY1: Don't mind them jare. I'm ain't a fan of anyone of them, but sitting down to analyze their command of English is totally uncalled for. 1 Like |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by dunkem21(m): 6:27am On Aug 08, 2016 |
greatgod2012: I never check but they checked PEJ's English.. Now, what you wrote on your signature will happen.. What a man sows,.. 6 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by DRISKLEF(m): 6:27am On Aug 08, 2016 |
Nice one. |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by dadabashua1(m): 6:31am On Aug 08, 2016 |
OP.... the English founder... pls try check your level of sanity... thanks |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by ba7man(m): 6:34am On Aug 08, 2016 |
dunkem21:PEJ was a disaster in English. She was on a whole different level that couldn't be ignored. Everything she said sounded like "Jenifer" trying to communicate. 5 Likes |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by RZArecta(m): 6:34am On Aug 08, 2016 |
English is not her mother's language She was right, Buhari's government especially from the author's definition can best be described as a regime. |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by blackpanda: 6:34am On Aug 08, 2016 |
dunkem21: Pls be quiet. |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by jhydebaba(m): 6:35am On Aug 08, 2016 |
Aisha is a learner when placed side by side with our darling PEJ. ... Wait oh! This article sef long pass Aisha message. Like someone rightly said, take away grammar and give me money. 4 Likes |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by johnwizey: 6:37am On Aug 08, 2016 |
dunkem21:Compare those statements with 'MY FELLOW WIDOWS' and tell which is more glaring. |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by Progressive01(m): 6:38am On Aug 08, 2016 |
Chai. See eff-up! Major gbagauns doing 90 on a 60! Dr Kperogi, mbok, "temper mercy with justice". ...former First Lady Patience Jonathan’sOhw Lawd! Mrs. Aisha Buhari’s speech at the United States Institute of Peace didn’t rise to the level of former First Lady Patience Jonathan’s legendary contortion of English grammar..Ugu Republicans would find it difficult w&nking on this thread for obvious reasons. 5 Likes |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by fiizznation: 6:41am On Aug 08, 2016 |
And so what's the big deal if she made some mistakes while delivering her speech? Did she ever told anyone of you that she is queen Elizabeth? Some Nigerians can be very funny. I don't know why some people would be so fixated on irrelevant things. Besides I don't even know if the original poster got hold of her speech notes or he listened to her speech via television. But this irrational conclusion he conjured is rather ridiculous because some of those mistakes he claimed she made might be due to her fulani ascent. For crying out loud, she is a Fulani woman first and not an Englishwoman 5 Likes |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by cktheluckyman: 6:41am On Aug 08, 2016 |
ba7man:Bros your first lady is also an olodo in English language. Deal with it 6 Likes |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by moyakz(m): 6:42am On Aug 08, 2016 |
fulani-english on point! 1 Like |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by JimiOgunlola: 6:44am On Aug 08, 2016 |
Buhari family and dullness be like.. 1 Like
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Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by ba7man(m): 6:45am On Aug 08, 2016 |
cktheluckyman:Comparing Aisha and PEJ's English is like comparing "waves at the beach" to a "Tsunami". I'm sure you know this yourself. 2 Likes |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by banki(m): 6:49am On Aug 08, 2016 |
So it's no more she didn't go to USA It's no more her bag It's now her speech 1 Like |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by Nobody: 7:00am On Aug 08, 2016 |
very good analysis. I learnt a few things myself. Don't mind those punks above me. Its because that's the same way they speak too, that's why they're defending her. 2 Likes |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by dunkem21(m): 7:02am On Aug 08, 2016 |
.. |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by 49cents(m): 7:26am On Aug 08, 2016 |
greatgod2012: Will you keep kwayet! Babe I dey joke |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by bollify(m): 7:26am On Aug 08, 2016 |
Dorctor Kperogi always on point. English isn't our native language. It however is our official language and when we give a speech in an official capacity, we should always remember that we have to do it properly. 1 Like |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by koladebrainiac(m): 7:28am On Aug 08, 2016 |
Jonathan sef dey gbagaun.his gbagaun is legendary... Sorry but i hear sey Former US president JF Kennedy gbagaun too. So nobody shud kill anybody for gbagaun jare |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by usba: 7:33am On Aug 08, 2016 |
I hope her speech writers take note. |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by dunkem21(m): 7:40am On Aug 08, 2016 |
koladebrainiac: Exactly.. none is a master of the queens' language |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by Goroz: 7:50am On Aug 08, 2016 |
Freegift75: KEEP KWAYET! |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by Acidosis(m): 8:16am On Aug 08, 2016 |
Oh my goodness! Hypersensitive crybabies?? The Edo Prosti.tute Halliburton 'Hermes' crooner never disappoints |
Re: Aisha Buhari’s Embarrassing Grammatical Infelicities At USIP by Jengem: 8:17am On Aug 08, 2016 |
Aisha na illiterate Na only bring 40 million i wanna buy bag she sabi Illiterate family |
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