The conjunction “as” and adjective “like” are the two most functional vocabularies used in everyday English to refer to something previously said, and to also denote something similar or resembling. What amazes me, is how the majority of speakers of English engage the two phrases, “as I said,” and “like I said” without considering the fact that they differ in usage. Anything goes, according to this school of thought, so long as I am able to communicate my ideas or opinions to the understanding of the publics.
The “as” word, pronounced ‘az,’ plays the role of the typical conjunction that can only be effectively engaged with the simple sentences such as “as I said” to remind or refer us to something earlier said or done. “Like I said” expression indicates something similar or resembling; so, we write or speak, “What is the Lady like?” As to the same extent as, approximately. The likes of; usually used contemptuously to dislike someone or group of people; such as “l wouldn’t have much to do with the likes of them,” Chambers 21st Century Dictionary emphasised.
The ‘like’ expression can also be used to tell something much like it-nearer to that which I desire or wants. For example, “The bigger yam would be something like it.” Our attention is more on the misuse of the “as I said” and “like I said” expressions. Can they be used interchangeably without causing harm to the rule of engagement? Before we submit our positions, according to the question raised, let me also remind us that the “as” word, as used in similes-figures of speech, and for comparison; denoting that the things compared are same or share the expected quality or characteristic. “As cunning as a fox.” “As bright as the sun.”
One can also correctly write; “as it were, in a way, I thought as much, so as to, in order to” etc., the reference book noted. Back to the question; are we infringing on the spirit of the rule binding language by shifting between the vocabularies, “as I said” and “like I said”? Yes! I would say emphatically. Stick to one. That which you fancy. Again, note that “as I said” expression is British, while “like I said” phrase is American. Also bear in mind that, Nigeria as other Commonwealth nations, bends toward the British English in every aspect of the language, be it in pronunciation and spelling; American English is notably drawl, British English is distinct and clipped. For the Nigerian, he or she is comfortable listening to the English man speak, whereas, the opposite is the case; straining ones ears to understand and comprehends the American talk, often dragging his words, especially consonants, language experts, submit.
As much as we are confined within the British English by coincidence of our colonial heritage, largely forced on us by cultural imperialism, the language becomes the lingua franca, where we have over 250 dialects and regional languages separating us. English has become the unifying factor, we cannot wish it a way. I agree with the proponents of our mother tongue to be used in primary schools to revive our indigenous dialects that are fast fading a away.
The “like I said” sentence is American coinage. It is up to the user of the language to choose between the American, “like I said,” and the British, “as I said” vocabularies. Mine is advisory, as I often noted. Desist from complicating issues by sticking to the British not American English. In all areas of our human endeavours, the British English prevails; education, religion, politics, administration, business etc.
