My Prime Minister is a former lecturer at the University of the West Indies, and she herself recently mentioned this in Parliament. This is a matter of pride for our nation, but it also places a responsibility on her shoulders.
Despite her academic background, several Members of Parliament continue to speak with poor grammar and weak pronunciation. Even more troubling is that some of these same MPs are graduates of the University of the West Indies. It is concerning that individuals with tertiary education still struggle to speak grammatically correct English and to pronounce words properly. Moreover, the Prime Minister herself was responsible for selecting several of the current MPs, which makes the issue of their language competence even more pressing.
English has been our official language since Independence in 1962 and, for centuries before, through colonial rule. It remains the internationally accepted standard language of communication, business, and diplomacy. While Trinidad and Tobago’s unique expressions are indeed distinctive and culturally rich, we must also insist on accuracy in grammar and clarity in pronunciation, especially from those in leadership positions.
If we want higher standards in radio, television, and other media, Parliamentarians must set the example. Public figures shape public speech, and when MPs lower the bar, the wider society follows. The deterioration of language capacity among MPs has been happening for many years. While not caused by the current government, they are now responsible for transforming language inability and many different areas. They must act boldly to reverse decline in so many different aspects of our lives.
As a simple positive response I urge the Prime Minister to use her background as an educator and her authority as a leader to raise the standard of language in public life. This will positively impact future generations.
Dennise Demming 