Literal translations, spelling errors and laziness
It was one of those days in the consulting room when I was tired after an action-packed 24-hour shift and all I longed for was my bed.
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The young man seated opposite me looked much better than I did. I introduced myself and inquired how I could be of assistance to him. His response left me dumbfounded for a few seconds. I was sure I had missed the lecture in medical school that taught how to manage a patient with symptoms of ‘laziness’!
Patients’ expression of symptoms
During my years of medical practice, I had heard bizarre symptoms being described by patients, including my favourite, ‘‘I feel something moving within my stomach like a snake. It moves about as though it is dancing from one end and wiggling its way to the other end’’, but this, ‘‘I am feeling lazy’’, was certainly my first. My sub-conscience was debating my second reaction. Should I laugh? Should I retort, ‘‘So am I! Although more tired than lazy’’? Do I ask him to be serious and not waste my time? None of these sounded professional so I settled for, “Can you kindly explain exactly what you mean?’’ It turned out that he felt constantly fatigued and he was directly translating his symptom from his local dialect into English, hence his expression of ‘laziness’.
The English Language
English is not the first language of many Ghanaians, although it is the official language of the country. It can, therefore, be a challenge for some people to express themselves in English. Although there are opportunities for communication in the Ghanaian language, most professional institutions conduct businesses in the official language.
With this in mind, many patients report to the hospitals or health centres under the impression that they are obliged to speak English. To make matters worse, due to the numerous dialects in Ghana and not knowing which one a patient speaks, many clinicians tend to introduce themselves in English until the patient admits that he/she is not fluent in it and would prefer to speak a particular dialect. For several reasons, including shyness or trying to make a good impression, most patients will continue the dialogue in English, albeit, using terrible terminologies or misleading expressions, just like my client.
Errors
This situation does not only pertain to the clinical setting. It can also be seen on billboards and other signages scattered all over the country. Spelling errors, malapropisms and wrongful terminologies abound. Take for example, ‘Horl and chimba for rent’ is intended to relay the information that a hall and chamber is available for occupancy.
“Capintas and Mikanics are often wanted for employment”. Once, a ‘wheelballo’ was advertised as being available for ‘lent’ (wheelbarrow and rent were what were intended). Cars requiring the services of a mechanic were requested to be driven into a ‘filting’ shop. ‘Solft drinks, meat and fish piles, donut, plantain cheps, roseted meat, checken, sunrich were for sell in particular canteens’.
A new ‘feeling station was opened in a neighbourhood for the purchase of fuel’. For the ‘Chanpion Celig (Champions League), Entamilan and Bayanmonic’ (Inter Milan and Bayern Munich) were scheduled to play a match which was to be shown live in a local pub. This was to be followed by the match between ‘Manchister and Olenpic Masel’ (Manchester and Olympique Marseille).
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Mabel’s Beauty Salon’s billboard had pictures of fish, chicken, pork, sausage and offal instead of pictures depicting beauty treatments and perfectly coiffed clients. Last but not least, an ‘aglo-processing’ factory was recruiting factory hands. The list is endless.
Suggestion
Occasionally, we all make mistakes; even renowned national and international newspapers and magazines sometimes commit errors but it behoves everyone to make an effort to get it right, especially when it is for public consumption. There is nothing wrong in admitting that one does not speak English so that communication in the preferred language is conducted to avoid any misunderstanding and, in the clinical arena, prevent misdiagnoses. This notwithstanding, I would like to make it clear that laziness is not a symptom of a disease in any language of the world!