ECNETNews recently examined a case involving a former chairman of a company’s board, who was inaccurately labeled as a “retired” chairman. We believe this term was indiscriminately applied. Simply stepping down from a position does not qualify one for the retiree label; true retirees leave their jobs with the intention to cease working altogether. In this instance, the individual should correctly be referred to as a FORMER chairman.
The title of retiree is a prestigious designation, reserved for those who have made significant contributions to society or an organization before stepping back to enjoy their retirement. This distinction should not apply to someone who has pursued a new career opportunity. In our context, the statutory retirement age is set at 60.
In a humorous twist, a former MP and minister was referenced as “Mbunge Mstaafu” in some reports, implying he is a retired MP. However, it’s clear that he has simply been ousted from the political arena after losing in party primaries. Therefore, he should be recognized as a FORMER Member of Parliament, or “Mbunge wa Zamani” in Kiswahili. It’s likely that he will seek election again this year!
With that aside, let’s transition to the main purpose of this column: sharing interesting linguistic observations from the week. In the Friday, February 7 edition of a prominent broadsheet, an article on Page 3 was titled ‘Expert: Ulanga, Mbulu lead in epilepsy cases’. In a quoted statement a neurologist allegedly made, it was noted: “If pork is not cooked PROPERLY, it can lead to worms that travel to the head and block blood flow PROPERLY.”
This statement is quite unclear. It seems the intention was to convey: “If pork is not cooked PROPERLY, it can lead to HAVING worms that travel to the head and INTERFERE with PROPER blood FLOW.”
Moving on, a respected broadsheet on Saturday, February 8 featured an assortment of images on Page 5. One caption read: “SOME residents of Ligunga Village in Tunduru District fetch water from a hand PUMPED PIPE, which is the ONLY source of clean and safe water for the villagers in RUVUMA Region.”
The term “hand pumped pipe” is misused here. Based on the photo, it’s clear the correct term is HAND PUMP. A hand pump operates manually, unlike electric or wind-driven pumps.
Moreover, the individuals in the image—both a woman and a man—are DRAWING (not fetching) water from a communal well. Referring to them as “SOME residents” is misleading; they should simply be called residents or identified as two individuals.
When the caption claims this hand pump is the “ONLY source of clean and safe water FOR VILLAGERS in Ruvuma Region,” we question the accuracy of such a statement. Do you share this skepticism, dear reader?
In another photo, one caption informs, “Petty traders serve their customers along Tandamti Street in the Kinondoni business area located in Dar es Salaam, the country’s COMMERCIAL CITY…”
It’s important to note that Dar es Salaam is not the only commercial city in the nation; there are several others. The more accurate description would be that Dar es Salaam serves as the COMMERCIAL CAPITAL of the country or at least its LEADING commercial city.
Ah, the complexities of the English language!
