Deranged ramblings

Controversy continues about William Shakespeare actually having been the author of arguably the best read, studied and researched work of all time. From majestic plays to alluring sonnets his work introduced phrases and word groups that have found their way into popular usage. A common trait with him, Alexander Pope and others, is the time and effort they devoted to the trivial. 'Much ado about nothing', a marvellous play centring mixed-up identities and 'Rape of the lock', a side-splitting poetic discourse by Pope, are standalone examples of how the trivial can be immortalised through humour winged by metaphors, rhyme and rhythm.

It stands to reason that the English language is changing in thought and perception. The usual blame is cast on the Indian sub-continent, not without sufficient cause. The rigours of learning and adapting to a language forced down the throat come with dangers, pitfalls and sufficient humour. All this in spite of some of the best present-day English Literature emanating from these climes. There are innumerable examples bordering on the absurd of incorrect and improper usage and pronunciation. It isn't made any easier by the incongruence between the letters of the alphabet. As confusing are similarly spelt and pronounced words. Diphthongs and digraphs have to be accepted for what they are rather than on logic.

Richard Brinsley Sheridan, author of The Rivals in 1775, introduced us to the word 'malapropism', named after a character Mrs Malaprop, where the common denominating factor of using the wrong words causes mirth and devastation of sorts. George Bernard Shaw exposed the funny side of English Language by letting all inconsistency of pronunciations redefine the language itself. Indian English has been added albeit reluctantly, as a 'form' of writing and pronunciation that is acceptable.

As it is, certain English expressions are hard to become familiar with riddles as they are by a mix of malapropism, perception change, regional dialects and generational popularity. So when Victorian street conversation goes 'pike on the bean' we can be forgiven for not knowing it means- 'take to one's heels' or 'scarper'. Nor should anyone but the English be held to fault for suggesting being 'out to lunch' suggests mental derangement or 'madness'.

Sub-continental ranting against our own for getting it wrong has much to do with the fortunate minority finding an ironical almost fiendish glee at the shortcomings over a language that doesn't  belong to us. It's almost as if we there's a second group of English speakers that brim-over with self-righteousness. On the contrary, rather than do something about it we content ourselves by calling in everyone to use Bangla more widely especially around months where patriotic commercialism takes over. Not too many will have noticed but anyone wanting to travel to Spain or Japan will need certain papers translated into those languages-without exception.

For the minority so described, the words 'wealthify' and 'Spotify' won't be found in any lexicon but are the 'in thing' or to be more accurate 'in words'. These are essentially British and Swedish innovations of words to make 'ability to grow wealth' be condensed in a word and convert the meaning of 'spotting an opportunity' into a noun.

And to think that there was so much of chortling over a word of mouth relay by poor farmers trying their best to be initiated in English during Britush times. It goes: 'There is a maramari (fisticuffs) between Syed Ali and Fazr Ali in between the aiilthelatheli (physical movement of the small mud barriers delineating land division). Mention the new phrases and words and the English will say 'Language evolves over time'. It certainly does.

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