Features
English demands mustering our energy to master it
By K. A. I. KALYANARATNE
Consultant, Publications
Postgraduate Institute of Management
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Vice President
Hela Havula
Our mother tongue and our first language being either Sinhala or Tamil, depending on the particular community we belong to, English is invariably considered as our second language. Therefore, English is treated as a foreign language. It is an irony that although both Sinhala and Tamil should be our link languages, on the assumption that each major community should learn the language of the other major community, English is treated as our ‘link-language’; a language quite ‘foreign’ to us. However, the fact remains that we are expected to learn English as most of our academic and professional examinations at postgraduate levels are conducted in English.
Revelations at a Preliminary Survey
A few years ago, I conducted the Integrated English Course for four batches (two batches in each category) at the PIM, who followed the two programmes; (i) MBA – Inland Revenue and (ii) MBA Customs and International Trade, in the years 2016 and 2017. This special three-month-course was a recent introduced to the MBA programme, as the Institute observed that especially the younger students needed an extra backup if they were to be competent to meet the challenges of the post-graduate programmes. A survey conducted at the commencement of these courses revealed that a majority of the students had completed their primary and secondary education in their mother-tongue. Some of them had continued to follow their basic degree in their mother-tongue. It was, therefore, an uphill task for them to switch over to the medium of English. It would not have been an issue if they had had a sound-foundation in the English language especially in their primary and secondary levels of education.
The Challenges a Teacher of English had to Overcome
Therefore, as a teacher of English, the following basic framework was structured to launch the project. In fact, the project was aimed at bringing the language skills of the target groups to the level of providing an effective answer to their basic challenges, namely, (i) understanding what was taught, and (ii) expressing in their own words, through their writings and presentations, the knowledge they acquired.
Sticking to Basics and Fundamentals – The Surest Way to Achieve One’s Objectives
Many successful businessmen say that their winning strategy has been sticking to the basics — the simple principles that have stood the test of time. I remember how we learnt the language, sticking to this principle, in college. The methodology consisted of
(i) a lot of wide reading and coming to grips with new words and word-clusters,
(ii) a lot of writing by way of (a) essays (b) editorials, (c) reports,
(iii) comprehension, precise-writing and paraphrasing.
(iv) Detection of mistakes and correction of sentences
(v) Selecting a book of their choice aimed at cultivating the habit of reading, and, ultimately, getting each of them to make a short presentation on the book he/she read during the study-term.
(vi) In between, elements like prepositions, articles and idioms were taught in small doses, without making the study unpalatable.
To get a taste of the vast and varied storehouse of English literature, a few short and simple poems like James Leigh Hunt’s ‘The Plate of Gold’, and P. B. Shelly’s ‘Ozymandias’, were read with them highlighting the poetic expressions and how beautifully the language was used by such poets to accentuate interest in the reader.
In short, what was followed was choosing material that created an interest in the learning partners, while assigning a reasonable amount of homework. These exercises were not only marked promptly, highlighting the pluses and minuses, the shortcomings were also discussed among them in class. These discussions were a part of the knowledge-sharing process that followed.
Paraphrasing, Comprehension and Precis Writing – A Vintage Recipe that Worked Well
A basic measurement of learning is the level of one’s ability to express in his/her own words what he/she had learnt. If a person masters this craft of re-phrasing what has been learnt, cramming (studying intensively), and memorizing resorted to by many a student would sooner be realized as futile acts. These shorter methods while taxing one’s brain, is only short lived. Knowledge reproduced in this manner will vanish from them no sooner their immediate task is over. This ability to retell what one has learnt will make that knowledge one’s own. The teachers of English, or for that matter, of any language, had been resorting to these basic practices, to drive home the fact that once a person is able to repeat in his/her own words what has been said or written differently elsewhere, is the surest way to remember. These were the basics on which teachers of yesteryear taught languages to their students. However, the two prerequisites needed to perform this task depend on two abilities; (i) the ability to understand what was read or learnt, and ii) the ability to convert that knowledge into his/her own words. Of course, both these abilities depend on one prime factor, that is, to possess a rich diction/vocabulary. It is words in their clusters that convey ideas.
Gaining Comprehension Skills – A Sure Answer to Plagiarism
Comprehension skills and language fluency go hand in hand, and in fact comprehension is an inseparable part of every subject. Frequent practising of comprehension skills make students gain confidence and feel comfortable in what they read. This is a skill that would become part and parcel of every study, and at every level of their education, and also an effective answer to plagiarism.
Plagiarism, that has crept into academic and professional studies at higher levels, has reached alarmingly proportions in recent time. Therefore, all seats of higher learning are ‘fighting tooth and nail’ to arrest this deceitful trend, as it is paramount to ensure ethical practices among students to conduct their studies honestly, and in accordance with the accepted academic standards. These seats of learning have continued to deliberate on measures to arrest this unhealthy trend. In fact, these institutions have now put in place their own ‘Plagiarism Policies’, recommending deterrent action against those committing this offence.
Duality of English
The biggest challenge faced by both teachers and students of English is the significant duality posed by the two ‘Englishes’, British English and American English. The issue has been created by the two streams going ‘on their own’ without reaching commonality or striking at a common approach. The very fact that these two streams of the language are termed as British and American, it makes pretty obvious that the said duality exists. Even a cursory glance through the two approaches, the following differences as shown in theFigures appearing here, would become quite evident.
It is due to this basic difference that some institutes of higher learning meekly say that what is recommended in the writings of students is ‘the use of English (United Kingdom) and spelling’. This is not an instruction or a rule that should be stuck to. This itself is evidence of the penetration of American English, and its influence over the English language. The saddest part is that students are unaware of this duality, and they are helpless in knowing these differences unless/until they are guided. Teaching of English at school-level also does not delve into these ‘tricky and controversial areas’. In fact, there’s hardly a publication that brings out these differences in the contemporary use of English.
Merriam-Webster English Dictionary (WMD) Vs. Oxford English Dictionary (OED)
The prevailing language-controversy began with the publishing of the initial Webster’s Dictionary by Noah Webster in 1806. He was an American lexicographer, textbook pioneer, English-language spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and author. The Merriam-Webster English Dictionary (MWD) which is now a popular volume in our libraries, is a revised and edited version of Noah Webster’s original publication. In fact, MWD had undergone a series of revisions to make it sufficiently comprehensive for use. Basically, MWD is considered a liberal dictionary, updating its definitions and entries with the time. Due to this quality of constant revisions and expansions MWD has now been accepted as a premier dictionary of English.
In the process of assessing the merits and demerits of the two dictionaries the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has now been considered as ‘conservative’ in its approach. It tantamount to say that the OED is oblivious to the constantly occurring changes to the language, by way of pronunciation, grammar, definitions and admission of words/terms. It thus connotes that OED is more concerned with documenting the language as it has progressed. It is very much a lexicographical history book for the English language. Thus WMD progressively gaining sway over its acceptance, would further erode the position held by both OED and British English.
Duality in the Use of Prepositions and Basic Grammar-Rules
Prepositions may be considered as mortar that is used to fix bricks in their proper places. Hence, prepositions, often called the ‘biggest small words in English’ fix solid words together by showing relationship in space or time or a logical relationship between two or more people, places or things. In a language like English where nouns cannot be declined flexibility is brought in by the use of propositions. These are thus a part of the foundation of the English language. Therefore, a misused preposition can make a big difference between a clearly stated sentence and a confusing mix of words. Sinhala differs vastly in this aspect as its nouns can be declined.
Therefore, if there is a duality / difference in the use of many a preposition in the two Englishes as seen below, it is obvious that the learner will be bemused!
Apart from spellings, vocabulary and the use of prepositions, there are some major grammar differences between the two Englishes. For instance, collective nouns are considered singular in American English, as ‘the band is playing’. In contrast they can be considered as either singular or plural in British English, the commonest being the plural form, i.e, ‘the band are playing’. The British are also more likely to use ‘shall’ with ‘I’, while the Americans are bent on using ‘will’ with ‘I’. Further, while Americans, continue to use ‘gotten’ as the past participle of ‘get’, the British have long since dropped ‘gotten’ in favour of ‘got’.
The English Teacher’s Travails and Dilemma
In fact, my precise objective of penning this short essay is to highlight the trying and challenging circumstances under which our teachers of English are performing their task of guiding the younger generations to impart knowledge and enhance their language-competencies. Unlike most eastern languages, English is a hybrid product, depending much on German and other major European languages for its growth and enrichment. It is because of this fact that Walt Whitman, American poet (1819-1892) said that
‘Viewed freely, the English language is the accretion and growth of
every dialect, race, and range of time, and is both the
free and compacted composition of all.’
Its complexity has been further aggravated by its illogicalities in its grammar; and some extremists say that it’s a jumble of contradictions.
The battle between the forces of correctness and the forces of usage is still being waged. The controversy on ‘it is me’ versus ‘it is I’ is a case in point. The complexities that have been created by the independent growth of the two Englishes, has resulted in more exceptions than the rules of its grammar. Some critics have even gone to the extent of commenting on how nonsensical its word-formations are. They bring in to say that if ‘office leads to officer’ and ‘commission leads to commissioner’ ‘prison should lead to ‘prisoner who is in-charge of the prison, and not the person who is imprisoned for committing a crime.
This chaotic situation has been further aggravated by the absence of an updated / current book of grammar that provides answers to all the above complexities and controversies. English grammar books that are available are those that have been published several decades ago, and further, none of these deals with the language’s latest developments, especially American English.
by Dr Gotabhya Ranasinghe
Senior Consultant Cardiologist
National Hospital Sri Lanka
When we sought a meeting with Hon Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Health, he graciously cleared his busy schedule to accommodate us. Renowned for his attentive listening and deep understanding, Minister Pathirana is dedicated to advancing the health sector. His openness and transparency exemplify the qualities of an exemplary politician and minister.
Dr. Palitha Mahipala, the current Health Secretary, demonstrates both commendable enthusiasm and unwavering support. This combination of attributes makes him a highly compatible colleague for the esteemed Minister of Health.
Our discussion centered on a project that has been in the works for the past 30 years, one that no other minister had managed to advance.
Minister Pathirana, however, recognized the project’s significance and its potential to revolutionize care for heart patients.
The project involves the construction of a state-of-the-art facility at the premises of the National Hospital Colombo. The project’s location within the premises of the National Hospital underscores its importance and relevance to the healthcare infrastructure of the nation.
This facility will include a cardiology building and a tertiary care center, equipped with the latest technology to handle and treat all types of heart-related conditions and surgeries.
Securing funding was a major milestone for this initiative. Minister Pathirana successfully obtained approval for a $40 billion loan from the Asian Development Bank. With the funding in place, the foundation stone is scheduled to be laid in September this year, and construction will begin in January 2025.
This project guarantees a consistent and uninterrupted supply of stents and related medications for heart patients. As a result, patients will have timely access to essential medical supplies during their treatment and recovery. By securing these critical resources, the project aims to enhance patient outcomes, minimize treatment delays, and maintain the highest standards of cardiac care.
Upon its fruition, this monumental building will serve as a beacon of hope and healing, symbolizing the unwavering dedication to improving patient outcomes and fostering a healthier society.We anticipate a future marked by significant progress and positive outcomes in Sri Lanka’s cardiovascular treatment landscape within the foreseeable timeframe.
by Fr. Emmanuel Fernando, OMI
Jesuit Fr. Aloysius Pieris (affectionately called Fr. Aloy) celebrated his 90th birthday on April 9, 2024 and I, as the editor of our Oblate Journal, THE MISSIONARY OBLATE had gone to press by that time. Immediately I decided to publish an article, appreciating the untiring selfless services he continues to offer for inter-Faith dialogue, the renewal of the Catholic Church, his concern for the poor and the suffering Sri Lankan masses and to me, the present writer.
It was in 1988, when I was appointed Director of the Oblate Scholastics at Ampitiya by the then Oblate Provincial Fr. Anselm Silva, that I came to know Fr. Aloy more closely. Knowing well his expertise in matters spiritual, theological, Indological and pastoral, and with the collaborative spirit of my companion-formators, our Oblate Scholastics were sent to Tulana, the Research and Encounter Centre, Kelaniya, of which he is the Founder-Director, for ‘exposure-programmes’ on matters spiritual, biblical, theological and pastoral. Some of these dimensions according to my view and that of my companion-formators, were not available at the National Seminary, Ampitiya.
Ever since that time, our Oblate formators/ accompaniers at the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya , have continued to send our Oblate Scholastics to Tulana Centre for deepening their insights and convictions regarding matters needed to serve the people in today’s context. Fr. Aloy also had tried very enthusiastically with the Oblate team headed by Frs. Oswald Firth and Clement Waidyasekara to begin a Theologate, directed by the Religious Congregations in Sri Lanka, for the contextual formation/ accompaniment of their members. It should very well be a desired goal of the Leaders / Provincials of the Religious Congregations.
Besides being a formator/accompanier at the Oblate Scholasticate, I was entrusted also with the task of editing and publishing our Oblate journal, ‘The Missionary Oblate’. To maintain the quality of the journal I continue to depend on Fr. Aloy for his thought-provoking and stimulating articles on Biblical Spirituality, Biblical Theology and Ecclesiology. I am very grateful to him for his generous assistance. Of late, his writings on renewal of the Church, initiated by Pope St. John XX111 and continued by Pope Francis through the Synodal path, published in our Oblate journal, enable our readers to focus their attention also on the needed renewal in the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. Fr. Aloy appreciated very much the Synodal path adopted by the Jesuit Pope Francis for the renewal of the Church, rooted very much on prayerful discernment. In my Religious and presbyteral life, Fr.Aloy continues to be my spiritual animator / guide and ongoing formator / acccompanier.
Fr. Aloysius Pieris, BA Hons (Lond), LPh (SHC, India), STL (PFT, Naples), PhD (SLU/VC), ThD (Tilburg), D.Ltt (KU), has been one of the eminent Asian theologians well recognized internationally and one who has lectured and held visiting chairs in many universities both in the West and in the East. Many members of Religious Congregations from Asian countries have benefited from his lectures and guidance in the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) in Manila, Philippines. He had been a Theologian consulted by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences for many years. During his professorship at the Gregorian University in Rome, he was called to be a member of a special group of advisers on other religions consulted by Pope Paul VI.
Fr. Aloy is the author of more than 30 books and well over 500 Research Papers. Some of his books and articles have been translated and published in several countries. Among those books, one can find the following: 1) The Genesis of an Asian Theology of Liberation (An Autobiographical Excursus on the Art of Theologising in Asia, 2) An Asian Theology of Liberation, 3) Providential Timeliness of Vatican 11 (a long-overdue halt to a scandalous millennium, 4) Give Vatican 11 a chance, 5) Leadership in the Church, 6) Relishing our faith in working for justice (Themes for study and discussion), 7) A Message meant mainly, not exclusively for Jesuits (Background information necessary for helping Francis renew the Church), 8) Lent in Lanka (Reflections and Resolutions, 9) Love meets wisdom (A Christian Experience of Buddhism, 10) Fire and Water 11) God’s Reign for God’s poor, 12) Our Unhiddden Agenda (How we Jesuits work, pray and form our men). He is also the Editor of two journals, Vagdevi, Journal of Religious Reflection and Dialogue, New Series.
Fr. Aloy has a BA in Pali and Sanskrit from the University of London and a Ph.D in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Sri Lankan, Vidyodaya Campus. On Nov. 23, 2019, he was awarded the prestigious honorary Doctorate of Literature (D.Litt) by the Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, the Most Venerable Welamitiyawe Dharmakirthi Sri Kusala Dhamma Thera.
Fr. Aloy continues to be a promoter of Gospel values and virtues. Justice as a constitutive dimension of love and social concern for the downtrodden masses are very much noted in his life and work. He had very much appreciated the commitment of the late Fr. Joseph (Joe) Fernando, the National Director of the Social and Economic Centre (SEDEC) for the poor.
In Sri Lanka, a few religious Congregations – the Good Shepherd Sisters, the Christian Brothers, the Marist Brothers and the Oblates – have invited him to animate their members especially during their Provincial Congresses, Chapters and International Conferences. The mainline Christian Churches also have sought his advice and followed his seminars. I, for one, regret very much, that the Sri Lankan authorities of the Catholic Church –today’s Hierarchy—- have not sought Fr.
Aloy’s expertise for the renewal of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka and thus have not benefited from the immense store of wisdom and insight that he can offer to our local Church while the Sri Lankan bishops who governed the Catholic church in the immediate aftermath of the Second Vatican Council (Edmund Fernando OMI, Anthony de Saram, Leo Nanayakkara OSB, Frank Marcus Fernando, Paul Perera,) visited him and consulted him on many matters. Among the Tamil Bishops, Bishop Rayappu Joseph was keeping close contact with him and Bishop J. Deogupillai hosted him and his team visiting him after the horrible Black July massacre of Tamils.
Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement
By Gomi Senadhira
senadhiragomi@gmail.com
“You might tell fairy tales, but the progress of a country cannot be achieved through such narratives. A country cannot be developed by making false promises. The country moved backward because of the electoral promises made by political parties throughout time. We have witnessed that the ultimate result of this is the country becoming bankrupt. Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet.” – President Ranil Wickremesinghe, 2024 Budget speech
Any Sri Lankan would agree with the above words of President Wickremesinghe on the false promises our politicians and officials make and the fairy tales they narrate which bankrupted this country. So, to understand this, let’s look at one such fairy tale with lots of false promises; Ranil Wickremesinghe’s greatest achievement in the area of international trade and investment promotion during the Yahapalana period, Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA).
It is appropriate and timely to do it now as Finance Minister Wickremesinghe has just presented to parliament a bill on the National Policy on Economic Transformation which includes the establishment of an Office for International Trade and the Sri Lanka Institute of Economics and International Trade.
Was SLSFTA a “Cleverly negotiated Free Trade Agreement” as stated by the (former) Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate on the SLSFTA in July 2018, or a colossal blunder covered up with lies, false promises, and fairy tales? After SLSFTA was signed there were a number of fairy tales published on this agreement by the Ministry of Development Strategies and International, Institute of Policy Studies, and others.
However, for this article, I would like to limit my comments to the speech by Minister Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate, and the two most important areas in the agreement which were covered up with lies, fairy tales, and false promises, namely: revenue loss for Sri Lanka and Investment from Singapore. On the other important area, “Waste products dumping” I do not want to comment here as I have written extensively on the issue.
1. The revenue loss
During the Parliamentary Debate in July 2018, Minister Samarawickrama stated “…. let me reiterate that this FTA with Singapore has been very cleverly negotiated by us…. The liberalisation programme under this FTA has been carefully designed to have the least impact on domestic industry and revenue collection. We have included all revenue sensitive items in the negative list of items which will not be subject to removal of tariff. Therefore, 97.8% revenue from Customs duty is protected. Our tariff liberalisation will take place over a period of 12-15 years! In fact, the revenue earned through tariffs on goods imported from Singapore last year was Rs. 35 billion.
The revenue loss for over the next 15 years due to the FTA is only Rs. 733 million– which when annualised, on average, is just Rs. 51 million. That is just 0.14% per year! So anyone who claims the Singapore FTA causes revenue loss to the Government cannot do basic arithmetic! Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I call on my fellow members of this House – don’t mislead the public with baseless criticism that is not grounded in facts. Don’t look at petty politics and use these issues for your own political survival.”
I was surprised to read the minister’s speech because an article published in January 2018 in “The Straits Times“, based on information released by the Singaporean Negotiators stated, “…. With the FTA, tariff savings for Singapore exports are estimated to hit $10 million annually“.
As the annual tariff savings (that is the revenue loss for Sri Lanka) calculated by the Singaporean Negotiators, Singaporean $ 10 million (Sri Lankan rupees 1,200 million in 2018) was way above the rupees’ 733 million revenue loss for 15 years estimated by the Sri Lankan negotiators, it was clear to any observer that one of the parties to the agreement had not done the basic arithmetic!
Six years later, according to a report published by “The Morning” newspaper, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) on 7th May 2024, Mr Samarawickrama’s chief trade negotiator K.J. Weerasinghehad had admitted “…. that forecasted revenue loss for the Government of Sri Lanka through the Singapore FTA is Rs. 450 million in 2023 and Rs. 1.3 billion in 2024.”
If these numbers are correct, as tariff liberalisation under the SLSFTA has just started, we will pass Rs 2 billion very soon. Then, the question is how Sri Lanka’s trade negotiators made such a colossal blunder. Didn’t they do their basic arithmetic? If they didn’t know how to do basic arithmetic they should have at least done their basic readings. For example, the headline of the article published in The Straits Times in January 2018 was “Singapore, Sri Lanka sign FTA, annual savings of $10m expected”.
Anyway, as Sri Lanka’s chief negotiator reiterated at the COPF meeting that “…. since 99% of the tariffs in Singapore have zero rates of duty, Sri Lanka has agreed on 80% tariff liberalisation over a period of 15 years while expecting Singapore investments to address the imbalance in trade,” let’s turn towards investment.
Investment from Singapore
In July 2018, speaking during the Parliamentary Debate on the FTA this is what Minister Malik Samarawickrama stated on investment from Singapore, “Already, thanks to this FTA, in just the past two-and-a-half months since the agreement came into effect we have received a proposal from Singapore for investment amounting to $ 14.8 billion in an oil refinery for export of petroleum products. In addition, we have proposals for a steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million), sugar refinery ($ 200 million). This adds up to more than $ 16.05 billion in the pipeline on these projects alone.
And all of these projects will create thousands of more jobs for our people. In principle approval has already been granted by the BOI and the investors are awaiting the release of land the environmental approvals to commence the project.
I request the Opposition and those with vested interests to change their narrow-minded thinking and join us to develop our country. We must always look at what is best for the whole community, not just the few who may oppose. We owe it to our people to courageously take decisions that will change their lives for the better.”
According to the media report I quoted earlier, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chief Negotiator Weerasinghe has admitted that Sri Lanka was not happy with overall Singapore investments that have come in the past few years in return for the trade liberalisation under the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. He has added that between 2021 and 2023 the total investment from Singapore had been around $162 million!
What happened to those projects worth $16 billion negotiated, thanks to the SLSFTA, in just the two-and-a-half months after the agreement came into effect and approved by the BOI? I do not know about the steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million) and sugar refinery ($ 200 million).
However, story of the multibillion-dollar investment in the Petroleum Refinery unfolded in a manner that would qualify it as the best fairy tale with false promises presented by our politicians and the officials, prior to 2019 elections.
Though many Sri Lankans got to know, through the media which repeatedly highlighted a plethora of issues surrounding the project and the questionable credentials of the Singaporean investor, the construction work on the Mirrijiwela Oil Refinery along with the cement factory began on the24th of March 2019 with a bang and Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his ministers along with the foreign and local dignitaries laid the foundation stones.
That was few months before the 2019 Presidential elections. Inaugurating the construction work Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the projects will create thousands of job opportunities in the area and surrounding districts.
The oil refinery, which was to be built over 200 acres of land, with the capacity to refine 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day, was to generate US$7 billion of exports and create 1,500 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs. The construction of the refinery was to be completed in 44 months. Four years later, in August 2023 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to cancel the agreement with the investors of the refinery as the project has not been implemented! Can they explain to the country how much money was wasted to produce that fairy tale?
It is obvious that the President, ministers, and officials had made huge blunders and had deliberately misled the public and the parliament on the revenue loss and potential investment from SLSFTA with fairy tales and false promises.
As the president himself said, a country cannot be developed by making false promises or with fairy tales and these false promises and fairy tales had bankrupted the country. “Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet”.
(The writer, a specialist and an activist on trade and development issues . )
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