Batting for better English

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The decision of the Ombudsman to adopt an English Style book as a guide to members of her office in the preparation of documents such as decisions and resolutions, and, perhaps even investigation reports and recommendations, is a sad commentary on the proficiency of our college graduates in that language, that is now almost an international one.

It is strange to hear that this deficiency, as noted by the head of their office herself, exists among her staff who consist mostly of lawyers, trained by some of the country’s topnotch law schools and who have passed the bar examinations as well.

But it is a sad truth that, our students, especially our graduates, have been gradually absorbing less and less of the appropriate writing styles, especially as required by their profession, where they get enmeshed in all the legalistic statements and interpretations.

We know that the Department of Education is trying its best to make our graduate competitive, if not excel among those of other countries. And, indeed, our people are gifted enough and daring enough to try their skills among the best there is.

But with a deficiency in English, especially the writing part of it, hampering them, chances are that they may lose out on opportunities to others less endowed.

Let us urge our education officials, and our school administrators and teachers, to focus more on this aspect of our children’s education. Let us not allow a false sense of nationalism to deter us in this, because, as of now, English has virtually become a lingua franca of the world.*