It is agony these days to hear English being spoken or written even by professionals. The standard of English language, has been pummeled into dismal lows and may soon become oblivion. We need to nurse it back to the impeccable English that most Malaysians spoke just a decade or so ago.

The standard of English amongst the newly graduating professionals is atrocious indeed. Many cannot string a sentence properly. They cannot communicate in English either verbally or in writing. It is painfully sad to read letters, reports and other forms of documents penned by young professionals. But are they to be blamed?

It is certainly not an overnight phenomenon. It was due to misdirected over-zealousness shown by politicians to downplay the use of English, a ‘foreign’ language that is almost universally accepted as the language of modern communication.

The pathetic state of present day English in Malaysia was to be expected after many years of flip-flop policy decisions regards the use of the English language as a medium of instruction in schools. There was no consistency in policies regards the usage of the English language.

English is a major world language. Is it really in need of hospital life support system to revive the glory days when English was used with fluency by all Malaysians? A cobweb of old fixated ideas has ensnared the progress of English language in Malaysia, thus missing an opportunity to be recognised as an arena for the international community in trade, business, forums, sports, etc., Malaysia will lose its attraction as a host for these regional and international meetings.

I was in Brunei recently. Everyone speaks impeccable English including the chambermaids, the cleaners, the taxi drivers, the shopkeepers, the layman and everyone you meet. Even the blue-collared foreigners speak English imbibed through communication with the locals. Government and departmental meetings are also held in English.

It is not shocking to come across English language teachers who speak poor English. Having been groomed for decades in schools where English is not used as the medium of instruction, it is virtually an incredible task to train adults to speak or write good English in just a year or two. The foundations of a language are built from the embryonic kindergarten stage.

Having gone through an education system that lacks fixed directions and has periodic diversions and blind alleys, it is not surprising that English language is in the doldrums. A forebode to the grave for English is when English language teachers themselves are not proficient in English.

It is too late in the day to crucify doctors and other professionals on their English language prowess as we as a nation contributed the decadence of English as a language of communication. My objective is not to downplay the importance of the national language. We can advance nationally but we need English to be global players. Politicians need to realise that both can coexist without neglect to the other. Malaysians should have a choice.