"TA, I see you are a disciple of Kperogi's. I believe strongly that it's Kperogi who instead of facing the facts threw a red herring into Abati's patriotic defence of his boss. Abati needed to educate those of you who are only interested in noisy criticisms of governemnt. I see no crime or misuse of metaphor by Abati. What makes you think that the President meant only literal stoning?"--Chief Dr. Professor Akoh
Since you're a professor of theater arts, it would be helpful if you would kindly educate us on why Abati's understanding of metaphor in this context didn't constitute a misuse or, to use your word, a "crime" (I had no idea that misusing a metaphor could be criminal, but you're the expert, so I defer to you) instead of this broad-brush defense that basically says nothing. You asked what makes us "think that the president meant only literal stoning?" Well, it's simply because the stoning he talked about was literal. Governor Sylva was actually literally stoned by Bayelsans. It's in the papers. Go read it.
"It is this self-coronation or saintly posture of Kperogi that makes him think he is infallible in all matters that he presents on this listserve."---Chief Dr. Professor Akoh
Really? I didn't know you had clairvoyant powers with which you divine people's minds and know what thought-processes reside in them. I was never aware that I thought of myself as infallible in all matters that I discuss here. Thanks for the diagnosis. I will soon be knocking on your doors for a cure for this deadly (or is it "criminal") malaise.
"Self-coronation," "saintly posture," "disciple," "saint," "spirituality." You sure do LOVE religious imagery! Are you, perhaps, also a pastor, an Imam, or a babalawo?
"Now, to the matter of African Nebula, which saint Kperogi thinks is "oddly", a situation that has demonstrated his once obscene ignorance of what he thinks he knows. As someone who claims so much spirituality in the English language, I thought that he should first have done his research before jumping into denigrating a journal title that's well thought out by those who, I insist, know much more than Kperogi thinks he knows."---Chief Dr. Professor Akoh
Hehehehe!!! First, Oga, I didn't think African Nebula was "oddly"-- since you're quoting me directly. I thought it was "oddly named." Second, what in the world is "obscene ignorance" and "so much spirituality in the English language"? Chei, you wan kill ya broda with ogbunigwe grammar? Abeg o, I don't even know about "spirituality" in the English language much less "claim" it, but, well, since you're clairvoyant, you certainly know more about the inner workings of my mind than I can ever hope to know. So tell me more about the "obscene ignorance" and "so much spirituality in the English language" that afflict my poor soul. Thanks in anticipation for your invaluable service to a brother in need.
But while you're at it, could you kindly consider coming down from your clairvoyant heights to the level of lesser mortals like me and tell us what "Nebula" means? If it's not too much, your clairvoyant majesty, would you also condescend to let us know what about my criticism of the "Nebula" article on Nigerian English was inaccurate? That would be a great starting point for a discussion.
"I believe strongly that Kperogi needs the humility that is required in academic scholarship which does not encourage the kind of juvenile sweep that he takes at other peoples opinions/ideas, as he did with the article in African Nebula. Now that he is at KSU, I advise him to concentrate on real academic research instead of the bob-a-job journalism he is currently engaged in. "Proverbs to bones and silence"--Chief Dr. Professor Akoh
Oh, yes, I could use a lot of humility, oga sir. And you've just fed me the humble pie with clairvoyant crusts invitingly spread all over it. It tasted good, brother. I've been humbled. And you're right about my "juvenile sweep." You know, I was born only yesterday. What do you expect? But don't worry: when I grow up tomorrow--maybe the day after tomorrow--I want to be like you so that I can take mature, academic, and clairvoyant "sweeps" at other people's opinions/ideas.
"Real academic research" and "bob-a-job journalism"? Hahahaha! I give it to this man--he is truly hilarious! I think, sincerely, sir, that you've missed your calling. You should be a stand-up comedian. You have no business being in the academia--and certainly not in a theater arts department-- with this quality of language and reasoning. I pity the students who have the misfortune to be taught by you.
But who am I? I'm only a "juvenile" wannabe academic who is afflicted with "obscene ignorance" and "so much spirituality in the English language" and who does "bob-a-job journalism" and "juvenile sweeps"! Chei, man pikin don suffer o!
Farooq
Farooq A. Kperogi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Journalism & Citizen MediaDepartment of Communication
Kennesaw State University
1000 Chastain Road, MD 2207
Kennesaw, Georgia, USA 30144
Cell: (+1) 404-573-969:
Personal website: www.farooqkperogi.com
Cell: (+1) 404-573-969:
Personal website: www.farooqkperogi.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/farooqkperogi
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/farooqkperogi
"The nice thing about pessimism is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised." G. F. Will
"The nice thing about pessimism is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised." G. F. Will
On Tue, Mar 20, 2012 at 6:49 PM, Ameh Dennis Akoh <ojodumi39@gmail.com> wrote:
TA, I see you are a disciple of Kperogi's. I believe strongly that
it's Kperogi who instead of facing the facts threw a red herring into
Abati's patriotic defence of his boss. Abati needed to educate those
of you who are only interested in noisy criticisms of governemnt. I
see no crime or misuse of metaphor by Abati. What makes you think that
the President meant only literal stoning? Well, go on, but I know it's
easier to criticise than to build. It is this self-coronation or
saintly posture of Kperogi that makes him think he is infallible in
all matters that he presents on this listserve. Now, to the matter of
African Nebula, which saint Kperogi thinks is "oddly", a situation
that has demonstrated his once obscene ignorance of what he thinks he
knows. As someone who claims so much spirituality in the English
language, I thought that he should first have done his research before
jumping into denigrating a journal title that's well thought out by
those who, I insist, know much more than Kperogi thinks he knows. I
believe strongly that Kperogi needs the humility that is required in
academic scholarship which does not encourage the kind of juvenile
sweep that he takes at other peoples opinions/ideas, as he did with
the article in African Nebula. Now that he is at KSU, I advise him to
concentrate on real academic research instead of the bob-a-job
journalism he is currently engaged in.
"Proverbs to bones and silence"
>>Farooq A. Kperogi, Ph.D.Assistant Professor of Journalism & Citizen Media
On 19/03/2012, tunji AZEEZ <orunmilababa@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> Akoh, I suggest you do not throw a red herring into the Kperogi's analysis
> of Abati's inept defence of his boss by reading the reference to Abati
> having a degrees in theatre arts as his (Kperogi) abuse of all theatre arts
> degree holders. The point is that Kperogi is only disappointed that someone
> as educated as Abati, someone with a deep root in theatre scholarship should
> know what metaphor is. Kperogi's reason? He understands that theatre artists
> by virtue of their trainig use metaphor a lot. in fact, the theatre itself
> is a metaphor of real life. So, if one of us- in this case, Abati- confuses
> metaphor with actuality, he should be told and we should not rise to his
> defence. Kperogi is not taking a swipe at the theatre or all theatre
> scholars but pointing Abati out as one who is stinging words together to
> confuse the unwary.
> Now, to Abati's lame defence of a president who is deficient in the art of
> public speaking. This is just another of the erstwhile social commentator
> and revered journalist's slips. He began his journey into the hall of shame
> the moment he took up the appointment as the president's spokesperson. I
> pity him, really. Perhaps, he should work on the president by teaching him
> basic grammar and the art of public speaking which most African leaders take
> for granted. If he does this, I hope, he could be saved the embarrassment of
> coming out to clean the president's constant 'verbal shit'.
> Secondly, I enjoin Kperogi and others on this forum to keep a record of all
> Abati's statements while serving Mr. President. We may come back to them in
> our efforts to understanding how Aso Rock infects anyone who enters it. That
> the man is struggling to find words to explain away his boss' mess shows
> that most Nigerians lack integrity especially those saddled with the
> responsibilty of leading us.
> We need to keep records of all this and unearth them when people like Abati
> come back in an attempt to re-integrate themselves with the masses. They
> always do and he won't be an exception.
>
> Tunji Azeez, PhD
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Ameh Dennis Akoh <ojodumi39@gmail.com>
> To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
> Sent: Monday, 19 March 2012, 4:54
> Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Reuben Abati's Violence Against
> Metaphors
>
>
> Let's start this way. What does the grammatical and semantic saint Kperogi
> mean when he claims: "This ignorance is especially remarkable because Abati
> has a degree in Theatre Arts"? Does it mean that graduates of English or
> Journalism understand metaphors or the use of metraphors than those of
> Theatre Arts? Please, let's understand this claim, dear professor.
>
>
>
> On 18 March 2012 21:30, Farooq A. Kperogi <farooqkperogi@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>>Reuben Abati's Violence Against Metaphors
>>By Farooq A. Kperogi
>>
>>In his hopelessly incompetent attempt to explain away President Goodluck
>> Jonathan's proverbial cluelessness and verbal primitivism, presidential
>> spokesman Reuben Abati inflicted enormous violence on metaphors—and
>> meaning itself. This ignorance is especially remarkable because Abati has
>> a degree in Theatre Arts.
>>
>>First the background. On February 2, 2012, President Jonathan, while
>> justifying the withdrawal of his support for the reelection of former
>> Governor Timipre Sylva, said the following to his favored candidate,
>> Seriake Dickson: "You have brought people from Abuja to Yenagoa today. The
>> only thing I want to tell you in the presence of Bayelsa State is that I
>> was here in this place some months ago and Bayelsans stoned [Governor
>> Timipre Sylva]. You must work hard to make sure that Bayelsans don't stone
>> you. The day I come here and Bayelsans stone you, I will follow and stone
>> you."
>>
>>Pundits in the Nigerian media were justifiably outraged by the president's
>> endorsement of the stoning of the former governor of his home state and
>> his pledge to participate in a future stoning of Dickson should he behave
>> like Sylva—whatever in the world Sylva did.
>>
>>Abati accused the president's critics of "quoting him out of context" and
>> of "interpreting him literally." And then he launched this ignorant
>> semantic and interpretive violence on metaphors and meaning: "The
>> commentators should know that words have embodied meanings, and that in
>> cultural contexts, languages lend themselves to idiomatic and metaphorical
>> expressions which may carry heavier weight as signifying codes. The word,
>> 'stones' in the present context need not be read literally. Rather,
>> President Jonathan was urging Messrs Dickson and Jonah to be prepared to
>> deliver good governance if elected into office. He was also reminding them
>> of the cost of failing to do so, namely the anger and rejection of the
>> people, which may not necessarily be in the form of actual
>> 'stone-throwing,' but may manifest as civil apathy."
>>
>>First, what the heck is "in cultural contexts, languages lend themselves to
>> idiomatic and metaphorical expressions which may carry heavier weight as
>> signifying codes"? That's basically a hotchpotch of meaningless and
>> sterile words strung together to overawe the ignorant but which is
>> actually profoundly illiterate. But I will leave that—and other awkward
>> solecisms in the essay— for now.
>>
>>I had written here about the tendency for Nigerians to misuse the word
>> "metaphor" (see my article titled"On 'Metaphors' and 'Puns' in Nigerian
>> Media English") in everyday newspaper discourse. Abati has taken this a
>> notch higher.
>>
>>He said President Jonathan was being "metaphorical" when he said Bayelsans
>> stoned former Governor Sylva and when he said he would "follow and stone"
>> Dickson should he behave like Sylva. Oh poor metaphors! They are now
>> hijacked by an ill-informed and lying Nigerian public official and
>> burdened with extraneous significations in the service of explaining away
>> presidential clumsiness.
>>
>>OK, let's analyze Abati's claims. A metaphor is basically an implicit
>> comparison between two things that are normally unlike but which share an
>> important quality. As I wrote in my previous article on metaphors, "before
>> we can say an expression or an event is a metaphor for anything, it has to
>> evoke a comparison of two things that belong to different classes. For
>> instance, when we say Goodluck Jonathan's kitchen cabinet… is peopled by
>> pig-headed scoundrels, we are comparing the quality of stupid obstinacy
>> characteristic of an animal (pig) with those of human beings (Ngozi
>> Okonjo-Iweala, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Labaran Maku, etc.)."
>>
>>Now, if a metaphor by nature compares two dissimilar things, where is the
>> metaphor in Jonathan's utterances? Sylvia was actually LITERALLY stoned by
>> Bayelsans. So nothing is being compared with anything here, whether
>> implicitly or explicitly. It is just a statement—and apparently an
>> endorsement— of the bare fact of Sylva being stoned by an angry, possibly
>> "rented," crowd. And Jonathan's saying that he would "follow and stone"
>> Dickson should the occasion arise in future isn't, by the wildest stretch
>> of literary fantasy, a metaphor, either; it's a literal, vulgar,
>> unvarnished countenance of violence. It's plain old verbal violence that
>> is outrivaled in rawness and impropriety only by Abati's own violence
>> against metaphors and meaning.
>>
>>When Abati wrote that Jonathan's declaration that he would "follow and
>> stone" Dickson "may not necessarily be in the form of actual
>> 'stone-throwing,' but may manifest as civil apathy," he betrays several
>> things. First, he actually admits of the possibility that his boss may
>> indeed literally stone Dickson.
>>
>>In English grammar, if you say something is "not necessarily" the case, you
>> actually mean that it may or may not be the case. In other words, it shows
>> you're uncertain about the truth of your claims. In the context of Abati's
>> statement, it means Jonathan may indeed literally stone Dickson--and he
>> may not. This fact is confirmed even further in the other half of the
>> phrase where Abati uses the modal auxiliary verb "may" (which also signals
>> uncertainty) to express the far-fetched and illogical claim that
>> stone-throwing is a metaphor for "civil apathy." If metaphors compare the
>> similar qualities in two otherwise dissimilar things, how can something as
>> intense and as violent as stone throwing be compared to something as mild
>> and as temperate as civil apathy?
>>
>>So, Abati ensnared himself in a mesh of irreconcilable contradictions. His
>> ambivalent and semantically violent claim that Jonathan's threat to stone
>> Dickson "may not necessarily be in the form of actual 'stone-throwing,'
>> but may manifest as civil apathy," concedes that the president's critics
>> may indeed be justified in assuming that he literally meant that he would
>> stone the governor of his state.
>>
>>So in spite of his prefatory cocksure certainty that Nigerian media pundits
>> quoted his boss too literally and out of context, the tentativeness and
>> tepidity of the actual defense he offered of his boss's verbal miscues
>> functioned to strengthen the case of his critics.
>>
>>That is what happens when you're wittingly dishonest or outright
>> intellectually incompetent.
>>
>>Related Articles:
>>Politics of Grammar Column
>>
>>
>>Department of Communication
>>Kennesaw State University
>>1000 Chastain Road, MD 2207
>>Kennesaw, Georgia, USA 30144
>>Cell: (+1) 404-573-969:
>>Personal website: www.farooqkperogi.com
>>Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/farooqkperogi
>>Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/farooqkperogi
>>
>>"The nice thing about pessimism is that you are constantly being either
>> proven right or pleasantly surprised." G. F. Will
>>
>>--
>>You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa
>> Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
>>For current archives, visit
>> http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
>>For previous archives, visit
>> http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
>>To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
>>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
>>unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
>
>
> --
> Ameh Dennis Akoh, PhD
> Associate Professor & Head
> Department of Languages & Linguistics
> College of Humanities & Culture
> Osun State University
> Ikire Campus
> Nigeria
> Email: amehakoh@yahoo.co.uk, ojodumi39@gmail.com, a.akoh@uniosun.edu.ng
> +2348035992490, +2348050293410, +2347081485254
>
> "We ought not to court publicity for our virtue, or notoriety for our zeal;
> but, at the same time, it is a sin to be always seeking to hide that which
> God has bestowed upon us for the good of others." – Charles Spurgeon
>
>
>
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa
> Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
> For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
> For previous archives, visit
> http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
> To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
> unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa
> Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
> For current archives, visit
> http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
> For previous archives, visit
> http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
> To post to this group, send an email to
> USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
> unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
--
Ameh Dennis Akoh, PhD
Associate Professor & Head
Department of Languages & Linguistics
College of Humanities & Culture
Osun State University
Ikire Campus
Nigeria
Email: amehakoh@yahoo.co.uk, ojodumi39@gmail.com, a.akoh@uniosun.edu.ng
+2348035992490, +2348050293410, +2347081485254
"We ought not to court publicity for our virtue, or notoriety for our
zeal; but, at the same time, it is a sin to be always seeking to hide
that which God has bestowed upon us for the good of others." – Charles
Spurgeon
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
No comments:
Post a Comment