Mind Our Language

DEWAN Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) has been given the power to advise and fine anyone not using the national language correctly on signboards.

It is a good move but how such power is exercised must be closely monitored.

More importantly, the process must be transparent.

It is not enough to just fine people for using the language incorrectly.

Such mistakes must be properly explained so that others do not repeat them.

If a company is reprimanded for using words wrongly on a signboard in Putrajaya, for example, that same sign should also not be allowed in Gua Musang.

The recent furore between the Transport Ministry and the police over the revision of fines for various traffic offences reminded us that the main objective is to make drivers more careful on the road, and not to fill government coffers.

Likewise, this power given to DBP should be to make us good users of the national language and not just a means to punish and collect fines.

Close cooperation between DBP and the various agencies, especially the local councils, is imperative as signboards fall within their jurisdictions.

Advertising agencies should also be properly briefed so that mistakes are stopped at source.

For this, DBP must also be open to the evolving nature of language and its usage in contemporary times.

Considering how creative and expensive signboards are these days, it may be the consumer who eventually has to pay the price if a company has to bear the expenses to make changes