Never take it for granted, and always be conscious of the fact that English, whether in the spoken or written form, even as it remains the language of mass communication around the globe, is strewn with pitfalls and blind spots. The language inherited from Britain, according to linguists, is odd and sometimes embarrassingly eccentric. One therefore needs to exercise restraint, think properly and with the aid of reference materials or books stay above board. In the course of putting our thoughts and opinions on paper or electronic devices, mistakes cannot be ruled out, it takes patience and diligence to avoid them. The reference books come handy when we are stuck in between shaping our ideas for people, the reading and listening audience out there to comprehend, unambiguously. Write as if nobody is breathing down your neck, carefully picking your words that make sense, and if in doubt, as we normally say in the newsroom situation, leave out or strike it out and go for familiar, simpler words the audience you are communicating to would understand without struggling, at a glance to know exactly what you are saying. As stated before, we have to make deliberate effort to study and grab the language, learn the twists and turns and be at par with latest developments as it affect changes in the use of the word; know phrases or expressions that are now considered as clichés, or spent vocabularies, equally consigned to history.
Now reading through some of my students term papers, sometimes it pops up on the pages of the dailies and electronic media are these adjectives, “averse” and “adverse.” Looking at the two closely, and almost identical words, one may nurse the feeling that the words could be used interchangeably, without harm intended. But that is not true. That is the misconception, and glaringly the blind spots one should guide against. Simply put, the pitfalls and blind spots in the language are quite tempting. It hurts at the end of it all, if one is not careful to make clear choices. The adjective, “averse,” as the dictionary explains, and to distance it from the adjective “adverse,” for example, is someone who is always averse to something, opposing to what is in place, an order, and reluctant about changes that may take place or already in existence. One may be averse to having his or her picture taken, and publish on the pages of newspapers, for example of some important personalities who may want to be in the background calling the shot. Conversely, the adjective, “adverse,” the reference materials also state it as an unfavourable condition which borders on one’s interest, disapproving and hurtful. Several people, or should I say, our politicians, for instance, try as much as they could to stay away from controversies or activities that may adversely (adverb) work against their political ambition, either to become the president or state governor.
Don’t give up the reading culture that would eventually transform you to that good or creative writer you desire to be, or to be thoroughly informed about developments in the society as they break for one to make the right decision at any given time. I may also add here that, we should also imbibe the listening culture, which the church has hammered on, rather than talk too much where the message is lost entirely. Because nobody appears to be listening to the other person. The noise making situation strains relationship and puts the society at risks. In all of the two, reading and listening, the majority of Nigerians are seemingly lacking here. It works against our interest as a people and breeds ignorance. I would say it bluntly that the country’s problem, at least 50%, if not more, is because most of the citizens don’t read or listen carefully to one another before jumping into conclusion, and that further tears us apart, and disaffection looms large. Be steadfast, do your homework and feed the public with the right words and constructions that would lead to a clearer understanding of the message one is pushing to the public domain. Avoid the confusion. It hurts.
