Again, the language purists and masters are uncomfortable with the excessive use of the expression, wrongly though, ‘flag bearer’ by the media, and of course, the pen pushers to indicate that Mr. XYZ is the ‘flag bearer’ of political party ‘A’ or political party ‘B’ as the race to fill the vacant political offices that would be created as the 2023 polls hot up. The ‘flag bearer’ phrase, unfortunately, has become a standard that the majority of the media houses have embraced to feed the listening and reading audience unmindful of the fact that it’s toxic, to put it plainly. Now let me explain the concept of ‘flag’ before adding the suffix, ‘bearer’.
Going by what the reference books say, in this case the Chambers 21st Century dictionary, the noun, ‘flag’ is said to be a piece of cloth, usually rectangular in shape, with a distinctive design, flown from a pole to represent a country, political party etc. The verb form of it (flagged, flagging). One can also speak, to ‘fly the flag’ or ‘keep the flag flying’ as a show of support of one’s country or any other affiliation for that matter. A State, or someone can also lower the flag to indicate surrender, relinquishment of command or respect, the dictionary states. One can flag someone or something down, to signal usually with hand, a vehicle or car, for example.
Little wonder, the journalist, reporter or the writer won’t hesitate to engage the phrase, ‘flag bearer’ at the slightest chance, associated with politics and the players. Not once but many times as my ears can condone it, several radio and television stations broadcast the infamous expression, ‘Mr.’ or ‘Mrs.’ XYZ is the flag bearer of Accord Party, for instance, in the forthcoming Governorship election in XYZ state, or that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) screening of their Presidential flag bearers is still on hold, owing to what observers describe as sharp disagreements on the zoning formula threatening to tear apart the parties, so reports some broadcast stations. The point I am making here is the undue emphasis placed on the statement, ‘flag bearer’ which is a misnomer. It’s time to think again, engage the standard phrase without compromising the language, making it look cheap and pedestrian.
That is not the Standard English from whichever angle one sees it. No one is quarrelling about the use of pidgin or smattering English, if you like or descend low to the use of colloquialism. But we should aspire for the Queen’s English which is spoken across regions and continents of the world. Non-standard English is inappropriate in writing business letters or conducting government affairs, neither would any serious or popular press tolerate nor condone it. Talking about standard, the statement, ‘standard’, a noun, is said to be an established and accepted model, so the good reference books state. It goes on to submit that one who carries the flag of a political party is the ‘standard-bearer’; leader of a movement or cause. It is therefore safe to write or speak, ‘Mr. XYZ’ or ‘Mrs. XYZ’ is the Presidential standard-bearer of party ‘A’ or party ‘B’ in the 2023 Elections.
It is laughable, to say the least, that some journalists and reporters, even blame the editors, the gatekeepers or quality control managers who romance with the overblown but misused expression, ‘flag bearers’ in their bulletins or write-ups. Not just the neglect of their assigned role to weed or cut out foul language and excessive luggage, as the case may be, but the height of irresponsibility of the gatekeeper to let questionable news items slip through to the listening and reading publics. Again, to kill monotony, another suitable phrase to use in place of ‘standard-bearer’ is ‘torchbearer’. The noun ‘torch’, is the once popular small portable light powered by electric batteries. A piece of wood or bundle of cloth, etc. which is set alight and used as a source of light, the Chambers 21st Century dictionary says. One can categorically state that the torchbearer is someone who carries a torch, someone who inspires and leads others, so to speak.
The journalist or reporter would be absolutely right to speak or write, ‘Mr. XYZ’ or ‘Mrs. XYZ’ is the torchbearer of the SPD in the 2023 Presidential election to determine who occupies Aso Rock at the exit of the sitting president, Muhammadu Buhari in May, 2023”, for instance. In summary, the non-standard expression, ‘flag bearer’ should be avoided or shunned, even as it presents itself and appears enticing to grab when the politicians or their promoters are quick to mention it at campaign rallies or press statements. The journalists and reporters are equipped to sift the grain from the chaff, and stop indulging in quoting verbatim what the politicians are saying, often in error. Be at liberty to choose between the two phrases, ‘standard-bearer’ and, or ‘torchbearer’ on the spur of the moment, just as the political parties jostle to outdo one another in the race to pick the best candidate as the standard-bearer or torchbearer of their respective political party for the office of the President or Governor. It is left for the electorates to decide. Obtain your PVC today to vote in the best candidate. Stop complaining when things go wrong. Exercise your vote now!
