Adil Najam
The headline used for this photograph by the Daily Times was just too good not to reproduce above.
I do not know if this qualifies as Pinglish or not but the typo – ‘over’ instead of ‘our’; the misplaced space in ‘Friend Ship’; and the grammar slippage in ‘with Pak-China’ are so very charming and so very Pakistani. (or, maybe, it means what it says; i.e., we have an OVER-close friendship with China!)
But please, let no one think I am being a snob in laughing at these mistakes. I really am not. Really.
Its our language too and as a free people we will use it whatever way we want. What better revenge can we have on our erstwhile colonists. Also, I have always subscribed to the notion that ‘Friend Ship is the best Ship of all’ :-)
question is : who puts up these banners? the local government has to approve their use – well, not really – I recall plastering lahore including upper mall with posters for a play I produced some years back. Spelling has always been a big problem everywhere, from our work places (where spellcheck helps us out) to the industry. But, the fact that such a thing can go through multiple eyes is fascinating – btw, I am going to put my own comment on too gmail first and run a quick spellcheck!
LOL Eidee Man
Well, it’s not like most of the Chinese delegation would have been able to tell the difference.
The misspelling and erratic grammar depicts much more than what it actual shows. It might be funny but the funnier part also has various underpinnings. To some it might reflect a gradual but sure decline in educational standards. To others it shows that replacing ones language with another, in a haphazard manner has its consequences. While, still others would attribute it to the rigmarole of the administrative setup in our society. After all, the welcome sign for a foreign dignitary must have the final approval of the “know allâ€
In the same vein, from The News today:
‘Realize’ the press release!
By Ansar Abbasi
ISLAMABAD: If an official press release is titled “Press Realizeâ€