
No language can exist or develop in complete isolation without borrowing from or relying heavily on other languages of the world, linguists contend. Quoiting one of the English experts, “this is more than ever true today when cultural exchange between most countries in the world has reached an unprecedented level.” Of course, “vast numbers of words in English language,” he insists, “are derived from roots in such languages as French and Latin. The German language, also came to the rescue of English, described by the purists, as rich in compound nouns-words made up of smaller words strung together, which enriched the English vocabulary, words such as the ones we are going to encounter here, are said to be immensely useful and are valuable addition to any language.
In what manner do we engage other languages of the world, including Finnis, Swiss, among others that have helped in expanding the English grammar, to connect seamlessly with the reading and listening population? Misapplication of some of these borrowed vocabularies, to say the least, hurts or limits better understanding of the message the writer puts out there in the public domain, often through the conventional media such as the newspaper, magazine, radio and television. The journalist or reporter should carefully choose these foreign and somewhat strange expressions, or avoid them, if he or she is not convinced about the proper engagement of the word, and stay clear of making costly error. Except one is living in denials, the writer or speaker, knows where to draw the line, and smartly makes the U-turn when confronted with the wrong or incorrect statement.
Simplicity and clear thinking would go a long way towards normalising the abnormally, by introducing familiar expressions the audiences are used to. In short, pomposity, flowery and high-sounding vocabularies are stumbling blocks standing between the sender of the information and the receiver. How much more when other foreign languages, either by accident or design, find their way into the English lexicon to boost the spoken and written word fancied by billions of people; natives and non-natives, around the globe. As I write, besides these borrowed expressions, as listed by the Puritans, ” ‘a la mode, bona fide (pronounced bona faidi), per se, denouement, au fait, ipso facto, cache, carte blanche, milieu and putsch, are some of the commonly used phrases push forward by those said to be conversant with the language, the classics writers, for instance, English has remained ever dynamic.
Expect more entries of these imported vocabularies, especially from Africa, to swell the ranks in the years to come. It’s time the English lexicographers and compilers of the dictionary look toward Africa, Nigeria in particular, to further expand the dictionary believed to contain not less than 500,000 words, drawn from native English and the borrowed words from other languages of the world. However, the rightful deployment of these foreign expressions to make sense concerns us at the moment. When in doubt, as I explained earlier, don’t use. Simply shun them and pick words that the majority of the listeners and readers are at home with.
But for persons with the intellectual capacity to make a difference, go for the Latin and French words, for example, to improve your vocabulary; use them responsibly in order not to play to the gallery, thereby cutting off the media consumers. As I often warn, don’t be tempted to impress, but express yourself to be understood. A quick look at some of these foreign entries, and from time to time we shall explain them to educate ourselves, and also serve as a reminder, especially so for lovers of classics, and of course, new comers or beginners who want to learn or know more about the language. Let’s begin with the French word and adjective, ‘a la monde, defines fashion; according to the current (trending fashion), the Chambers 21st Century Dictionary emphasises. A la carte, derived also from French, talking of a meal in a restaurant – another phrase with French root. We shall be exploring the rest of the English translation of these somewhat unpopular foreign additions, but good to use, if not for anything else, but to stimulate and compel the readers to look them up in available reference books as a form of intellectual exercise.