By Ezekiel Nabieu
The prospects of the gradual loss of the Krio language until it will no longer be recognized as a language per se is frightening, to say the least. It will be a sad day when we may no longer communicate with members of other ethnic groups except through interpretation.
The manner in which the Krio language is being corrupted triggers revulsion in the minds of native speakers of the language like myself. Krio is everywhere diseased. It does not follow that because language has a currency Krio should be used in such a way as to be unrecognizable as a language at the end of the day.
“And the whole earth was of one language and of one speech” Genesis 11:1. I need not remind biblical readers about the Tower of Babel. There the Lord confounded their language that they may not understand one another’s speech. Fortunately the white man caused us to have a distorted version of their language as our lingua franca which has enabled us to understand one another unlike the intentions of the Babel experience. Therefore we ought to make the best use of it as a unifier by using it correctly in its original form as far as possible. There is a possibility that if we don’t take enough care Krio may be a lost language in Sierra Leone in the next couple of decades. As English words creep into it Krio is becoming less and less intelligible to the semi-literate and illiterate citizens. This results in loss of communications especially from the government and consequently, non-compliance by citizens.
Language is the living expression of the mind of a people ever changing and shifting. Its sole standard of correctness is custom and common usage of the community. Some words go off and become obsolete and others are taken in (Temne, Limba, Mende, Kroo and Lokko etc).
It is unfortunate that Krio derives mainly from English, the world’s most international language. It is terse because its original users were mainly illiterate and could not imbibe its vast vocabulary and shades of meaning.
Try as one might, one can be ineluctably drawn into using English words where no Krio vocabulary is available. But it has become fashionable for speakers and writers to deliberately use extraneous words where simple Krio words should have sufficed to flaunt their education in the wrong place. Even native Krio speakers are guilty of this syndrome. It is better and more respectable to display proficiency in the Queen’s language than in a limited local language.
Frequently misused words and phrases
All languages have their figures of speech, especially metaphors and idioms, which should not on all occasions be literally translated into other languages. They need elaboration which may be cultural and/or social. This is where many media personnel get off the nails.
The following are just a few of the Anglicized and ill-used phrases and words:
“Ar de pan cam” – This should read originally and correctly as “ar de cam”. This wrong version is derived from one of the native languages being translated directly into Krio. It has become standard for the semi-literates and the younger generation.
“Thought am fit”: This phrase was first used by the Temne Chernor Ojuku Sesay in his sports presentation. It has ever since been used by various radio presenters as innocently as ever. There is no word like “thought” in Krio in the first place. The correct phraseology is “ar tink say”.
“Me back”: This phrase is mainly used by children insisted of “me sef”. I don’t know which native language this phrase came from.
“Aid & help”: Why use the word “aid” instead of help. The fact is that most of these speakers and readers unconsciously feel that the words they use will be understood by the grassroots people which is not so. Just one word that is not in Krio usage is likely to put the listeners off completely.
“Vulnerable Groups” How many BECE holders know the meaning of “vulnerable"? Speakers use it recklessly. Why not say “dem wan wae de suffer”.
Another abused term which is passing for Krio is “look at am”. Although the meaning remains almost the same as the proper Krio “Look am”, there still remains a nuance that can be confusing.
These are just some of the terminologies that cause messages to be lost in transit. As a result what we are witnessing is in fact government for the people and not of the people or by the people. This and other governments have been rather blithe about getting important messages across to the grassroots.
The importance of Krio, our lingua franca, came to the fore when there was publicity about the translation of the whole Bible in Krio. Because of the potential of Krio in the country’s development it is necessary to hold occasional workshop/seminars on the language with. Creoles as resource persons not excluding the translators of the Krio Bible. All is not lost. Over to the Ministries of Social Welfare and Education.
(C) Politico 19/11/13
