LETTERS: We have all seen hilarious examples of misspelt signs in English that convey something different from the intended message.
Some of these are: Satanise your hands here; Malaysians welcome 25 million visitors anally; Thanks of no Cigarette; Please pay your parking fee before existing; Shoplifters will be prostituted; To let, 3 badroom.
But these misspelt signs are no laughing matter, especially if they indicate a lack of proficiency in the English language. They give the wrong impressions to visitors and are often subjects of ridicule.
Fractured English can lead to miscommunication and confusion among people who do not understand the language well. This can be especially problematic in situations where clarity is important, such as in emergencies.
Using fractured English can create a negative perception of the business or organisation that uses it. It can make the business appear unprofessional, uneducated or even disrespectful.
Fractured English can also lead to a loss of business. People may be less likely to visit a business or organisation that uses fractured English on their signboards or in advertisements.
It is time for us to take this matter seriously and re-examine public signs, notices and all forms of communication.
While it is important for us to emphasise Bahasa Melayu and improve its use in our education system, official communication and literary works, we must not forget the importance of the English language in the global environment.
When we communicate with the outside world, we have to ensure we do it well.
There are even examples of fractured English in some of the websites of government departments.
Some of the officers overseeing the websites may rely on Google Translate without a second thought.
Besides being hilarious, some of the misspelt signs or materials cause confusion, especially when it comes to processes to be followed when applying for services.
Perhaps we should appoint retired English teachers to key departments, agencies and business enterprises to oversee all communications in English.
We have a ready supply of retired English teachers who could advise on the proper use of the language. They will only be too happy to help in a national cause.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE
Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times