Sahil was an English star teacher writing for local newspapers before joining a corporate organisation as head of a department. Soon, his colleagues were asking him to check their papers before submission to the chief executive. Once Sahil was appalled at serious grammar mistakes in a file a head of section was addressing the boss. The most glaring one was: “Your approval … is «seeked» instead of «sought».”

Sahil explained to his colleague that, although everybody makes mistakes, the chief would have a low opinion of him for his deficient English. His colleague revealed he had never been taught formal grammar at school; his mistakes were deleted or his assignments crossed without comments or suggestions.

When he left, Sahil looked back on his days as teacher: he had regular contacts with booksellers, importers and representatives of publishers to get their latest catalogues. He ordered books on grammar, sentence construction, style, word power, etc. for his students to step up their English.

Just as there are rules and regulations for any organisation, a code of practice for professionals, a constitution for a sovereign state, so each language has a grammar book. To change or go against any part would be a violation, and so is any piece of communication spoken or written without rules of grammar.

We must be grateful for the accident of history our island home has gone through. Without natives, the Dutch, the French and the English colonised Mauritius. Albeit the harsh conditions in which our ancestors had to survive as slaves and indentured labourers, the French and the English have left a rich legacy behind - their languages.

The average Mauritian is equally at ease with English and French in speaking and writing. Today these languages are not only our pride but our strength as a nation. Tourism and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which are becoming the main pillars of our economy, largely depend on effective communication in English and French. Indeed few countries are so favoured. I still remember the day when I was taking leave of the faculty members after my studies when the vice-chancellor said – “With an honours degree in English, you can now communicate with two-thirds of the world.” On the spur of the moment, I replied, “Sir, if I know French as well?” Then, he gladly stated, “The whole world is yours, my boy.”

For a good command of language, there is an urgent need for the teaching of formal grammar in our schools. Pictorial English Grammar I and II at primary level must still be fresh in our minds. At secondary level, schools were free to prescribe their own grammar books. For communication to be clear and free from mistakes, students who will later be at the service of the nation, if not the world, should learn formal grammar and not simply the basics.

It may look absurd or even paradoxical to mention that examiners of certain boards of examinations warn candidates that mistakes in grammar, punctuation and spelling will be penalised; yet, no teaching of grammar is recommended nor any grammar book prescribed. It is a good thing that the minister of Education is bent on giving our students a world-class education. But language is also at the basis of any subject our students study. A thorough knowledge of grammar is thus vital for mastering a language.

Yes. Like Sahil’s colleague, we still have professionals who, despite having done brilliantly in their discipline, are not confident enough at their language skills.

<B>Kaviraj SOHUR