Local dialects and the English language

I'm a stickler for correct spellings. That is not to say that I intentionally look out for spelling errors on every printed piece of paper. It just happens that way. 

Now, the question I have is: do spellings really matter, especially when the message is clearly understood? I'm referring to spellings in the English language here.

Perhaps not. Considering the multilingual nature of many Sub-Saharan African countries (and perhaps of other countries of the world as well), in my opinion it would be difficult for every one of us whose first language isn't English to get all spellings correct, more so if one picked up the English language later in life. Granted, some spellings may change the meaning of a word entirely, but others may not.

In some instances, one's own local dialect (Uganda has over 40 local dialects) may dictate how they spell a word. That is because many of us tend to write, pronounce, or spell certain words the way we see or pronounce them in our own local languages. In other instances, we tend to alter the positions of certain letters in a word, often by mistake. At the end of the day if the message has been driven across, maybe that is what should count. Unless it is newsprint, a publication or an English language exam, of course.

Here are a few 'misspellings' to chew on.

It's clear which team he roots for... which happens to be the one I root for as well.

That may translation to hot cycle park... but you know exactly what is being referred to, don't you?

Land for sale - that's the meaning.

Great customer service and business awareness. This note was pinned on the wall of a barbershop (salon). The word 'saloon' has been used for 'salon'. Anyway, take the message wholesomely. Could have been a slip of the mind or fingers, or simply a case of 'lost in translation'. Heck, Mary and Merry sound alike. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you, too!

The dry spell that isn't

Mahogany trees at different stages of leaf-shedding during the dry season. The grass in the foreground isn't faring any better.

It is supposed to be the dry season during this time of year in the greater northern region in Uganda, which actually includes West Nile. Typically, the dry spell starts sometime in October, peaks in January/February and tapers in March.

It came as expected, gradually warming its way into November/December. The annuals yellowed their leaves and many have already dropped them. One unique aspect in Uganda is that the dry spells come with the great Monsoon winds that blow over from the Indian Sub-continent, often exerting their effect in West Nile due to the high elevation in most parts. The mornings are often chilly (akin to early autumn weather). If not moisturized, the skin turns pale or even cracks, and takes on the appearance of cobwebs.

The past three weeks have been particularly dry with scorching sunshine and no winds. It's been so hot that catching some shut-eye at night is close to impossible. However, in the last three days the weather has taken a turn for the better with the winds returning accompanied with rain. In fact, as I post this blog its falling hard..."when it rains, it pours!"... so it is said. Briefly, that is the unpredictability of our weather in West Nile. Of late it is indeed becoming increasingly unpredictable. A sign of global warming, maybe?

Grass burning is common here during the dry season.

Dry leaves litter an avenue

A maize field scotched by too much sunshine, high day temperatures, and drought. 

Going down fighting... even when it is time to call it a day, the sun sets with a bang!

One positive: Mangoes are in full bloom.

The occasional rains revive seasonal streams giving the cows something to be joyful about.