Gulf News has out done itself when it comes to its English. The Gulf News mission statement reads: To serve and inform our readership. To report authoritative, informative and engaging news. GN always used to be better than KT, but off late standards are woefully falling short of an English Daily. The language is engaging alright, but in a different sort of way and with lots of misinformation.
A few examples would be:
Two Europeans will spend six months in jail for locking up a taxi driver in his car trunk and stealing his money, a court has ruled. The 25-year-old Russian, identified as D.K., and 31-year-old Uzbek security guard, identified as A.T., will be deported after serving their jail terms.
When did Russia and Uzbek become part of Europe? Or even termed as Europeans? Well there goes the purpose of having world maps or learning geography in school.
A young national ran over an elderly compatriot yesterday on Al Rams Street, leaving the 80-year-old dead in the middle of the street.
Compatriot? Well, guess they were not that close compatriots after all.
Another misleading headline - Sleepy passenger gets suspended prison term for assaulting taxi driver. But the story reads "A drunken man who assaulted the cab driver upon being awakened at his destination has been penalised." So much for headlines which tell the story. I am sure there is a huge difference between sleepy man, drunk man and passed out man.
Watch out for more engaging news from the leading newspapers in the Gulf. The excitement is killing me!
A few examples would be:
Two Europeans will spend six months in jail for locking up a taxi driver in his car trunk and stealing his money, a court has ruled. The 25-year-old Russian, identified as D.K., and 31-year-old Uzbek security guard, identified as A.T., will be deported after serving their jail terms.
When did Russia and Uzbek become part of Europe? Or even termed as Europeans? Well there goes the purpose of having world maps or learning geography in school.
A young national ran over an elderly compatriot yesterday on Al Rams Street, leaving the 80-year-old dead in the middle of the street.
Compatriot? Well, guess they were not that close compatriots after all.
Another misleading headline - Sleepy passenger gets suspended prison term for assaulting taxi driver. But the story reads "A drunken man who assaulted the cab driver upon being awakened at his destination has been penalised." So much for headlines which tell the story. I am sure there is a huge difference between sleepy man, drunk man and passed out man.
Watch out for more engaging news from the leading newspapers in the Gulf. The excitement is killing me!
5 comments:
Wo ho!!!! I literally fell off my chair reading this!!! Especially about the "Russian-Uzbek Europians"!!! hahaha...good one!!
The newspapers of UAE seem to reach new levels of comical brilliance with every passing day...your article is hilarious! It is sad that even Gulf News is stooping to the level of Khaleej Times...By the way, you seem to have a wrong idea about the word 'compatriot'. Compatriot doesn't mean friend or companion. According to the dictionary, 'compatriot' means 'a fellow country-man'.
The usage of the word "compatriot" is inappropriate, because it's normally used in a friendly manner.
It would be funny to read "Russian Gang robs compatriot."
Stop checking out online dictionaries and use your good sense of English!!!
Hey!!! I didn't use any old online dictionary...I used a paperback Oxford English dictionary...But I see your point about the usage...you're right...the level of English in these newspapers is pathetic (but hilarious)...no 2 ways about it. :-)
With so much of tradegy eating up the paper-space, the guys on the editor's table thought, why not mess around with the language and serve a few laughs to the readers?
Good one! Cheers!
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