Sucky English a hindrance to blogging??
Its a sign that blogging is beginning to creep into the mainstream when policy makers start blogging, namely Teresa Kok and the venerable Lim Kit Siang. See their pings on PPS. Its a sign of the peanut sized brains of some people who discourage this positive move on the basis of language. Politics101, a well respected blog on PPS, had this to say about the issue:
Despite their tight schedule at this Budget session of parliament, Teresa and Po Kuan made their web appearance. Despite their English language handicap they soldiered on. Their language imperfection is overshadowed by the quality of their comments and thoughts. Teresa blogs in three languages. How many can her critics read, write and think in?
via Politics101.
PPS believes that language is the least of a blogger's worries when he/she steps into the blogosphere. Write, share, educate and learn -- the power of the pen, even one in cyberspace, should not be restrained by the uncertain colour of the ink. Blog on, Ms Kok.
Comments
While i agree that language shouldn't be the main concern when it comes to blogging, I do however find that we're too quick to criticise the blog for pointing out the YB's flaws. I live in the kwn seputeh area, and personally, I do have expectations of my elected M. One of these, being the hope that my MP would have the ability to at least try to make his/her points clear with better English. After all, like the people in that site say, Teresa is an MP, she is a public figure who has to live up to the expectations of the people who voted for her.
Is it too much for us to ask of? For an MP to try to write better English?
I hope Teresa blogs on too, it is calming to know that my MP seems to care for the country (although, to tell you the truth, from a person who lives in Seputeh, I don't believe so... Teresa, since I'm here and I trust that you just MIGHT read this, there are times that I dread living in Seputeh because of a lack of action and the oh-too-few occasions where you really listen to our needs).
At the same time, Aiz, and everyon else, I think Teresa should make an effort in improving her English.
Posted by: minishorts | October 28, 2005 12:59 PM
ChooKi: Well said, and very much expected from a perspective with your background. You always have been a literary advocate -- proper use of language is probably very high on your list of priorities. :)
I'm just happy that they are there, these progressive MPs are giving us, for the first time, a view of Parliament that we, the rakyat, have never seen before. Pictures of the toilets in Parliament? Not exactly earth shattering revelations, but its a start; something from whence there was nothing.
I'm all for them improving their language skills, and perhaps they will, through consistent writing on their blogs.
Posted by: Aizuddin Danian | October 28, 2005 02:44 PM
I'm an English-educated Penangite living in the Seputeh area, which makes me an anomaly 8-)
Bad grammar makes me cringe, too, but being Chinese-educated in your early years is no excuse to not improve. Ms Kok's decision to blog came as a surprise. She and other like-minded MPs should be encouraged.
Posted by: Giant Sotong | October 28, 2005 04:08 PM
Get a proofreader just what I am doing? ;)
Posted by: LcF | October 28, 2005 04:44 PM
not sure, aiz, if this makes a difference. but i was Chinese educated from Primary One to my varsity years, previously considering a minor in Chinese language on top of the major.
Effort MUST be taken, and like sotong says, being Chinese educated is no excuse for bad grammar.
i hope Teresa can look to us in the Seputeh area too, and see more of what the residents there are doing. I voted for her in my first ever elections (because I believed in what she said) but, it was and still is, a let down.
Posted by: minishorts | October 29, 2005 11:53 AM
i totally agree with minishorts. mdm teresa is not delivering what she said, 'stand by me and i shall stand by you..' i think she stands too far away! (sorry, this is not about her english improvement topic but she has a lot of improving to catch up on if she wants to STAND BY US again!)
Posted by: pamela | October 29, 2005 03:27 PM
Seriously, blogging by our Parlimentarians is very, very welcome and I think even if they have abilities wanting in English, it does not detract from the fact that they mean well. More importantly, we , or at least me personally, see them giving an insight into what goes on in Parliament. And the message is clear to me that we have a lot of expectations that are not being met, that MPs do their work and perform their responsibilities as MPs diligently, honestly and ultimately, for the good of the country, not just for the good of any single community.
I have feeling that there are volunteers who will even offer thier IT savvy gratis to these genuine hard working MPs who blog.
Blog on LKS, FPK, TKok.
Posted by: WFH | October 30, 2005 12:53 PM
Three phrases should be among the most common in our daily usage. They are: Thank you, I am grateful and I appreciate.
Posted by: sizegenetics | December 9, 2005 07:29 AM