Of functions, roles (III)

THERE are still a few issues requiring analytic attention in the excerpt we addressed in the last couple of weeks or so. With your permission, I re-present the excerpt as sample 1.

Sample 1: “One of the critical personnel required for aviation is pilot. However, the cost components of training local pilots is on the rise, no thanks to the unstable exchange rates which has seen the local currency, naira pummeled against the dollar…Corroborating this fact, Sam Adurogboye, General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA) the apex regulatory body which plays oversight functions in the aviation sector said it’s a regulatory requirement for commercial pilots to do training every six months…Speaking with a cross-section of experts they argued matter-of-factly that the enormous cost of training borne by trainee pilots has become further worsen by the grinding economic crunch…Expectedly, there have been concerns that the cockpits of an average Nigerian airline aircraft is filled with expatriates but the airlines explain that they employ experienced pilots…”(Worries over Rising Cost of Training Pilots, The Nation, Sunday December 3, 2017)

I draw readers’ attention to the singular verb-form (is) which occurs between the words aircraft and filled: “the cockpits of an average Nigerian airline is filled with expatriates.” What is the noun/noun phrase that inspired the reporter’s choice of the singular form of the verb—is? Of course the noun airline is singular and it is the closest noun to the verb-slot. Could it have guided the reporter’s choice of that verb-form? If it had, then the reporter has a wrong understanding of how grammatical concord works in English. The word connected logically and grammatically to the verb-slot for the purpose of concord is cockpits, a noun that is obviously in its plural form. In view of this grammatical fact, the verb should be changed to its plural form: are. It is wrong for a writer to allow himself to be misled by the form of a word simply because it is proximate to the verb-slot. The writer should be guided by common sense and a sound grammatical principle. Sometimes, proximity may be helpful; sometimes, it may be completely misleading. A writer is not necessarily a professional grammarian, but he is sensitive to how words function in structures. In other words, every writer will benefit from a working knowledge of grammar. The process of writing is not an exercise in grammatical activities, but is based on a sound knowledge of grammar.

Next, I draw your attention to the phrase, “one of the critical personnel.” Of particular interest to us is the word personnel. A better word in this regard is operatives: “One of the critical operatives…”

We have said repeatedly that a single person cannot and should not be referred to as a personnel. As a collective noun, the word personnel can neither be pluralised nor modified with the word a or one. It is not proper to refer to collective nouns using singular modifiers such as one/a. Usage examples: 1) The memo is meant for the attention of all technical personnel. 2) The vehicles are to convey only medical personnel. 3) The organization has a tradition of training and re-training its personnel. 4) All qualified personnel are to register in the Personnel Department. 5) Only senior personnel are entitled to annual leave with pay. 6) Military personnel are kept in a separate section of the estate.

Please note that the noun personnel cannot become plural by the addition of a final –s.

Like personnel, the word staff sometimes creates confusion for some Nigerian users of English.

Please read the following sentences: 1) The staff is the single most important force in any establishment. 2) The staff were drawn from various companies in the metropolis. 3) Our staff is an even mix of both male and female workers. 4) All staff are expected to submit their files before the end of the day. 5) All members of staff are trained from time to time. 6) The company has a highly skilled staff. 7) The staff strength has increased by ten. 8) Half of the staff were laid off.

Can the noun be pluralized by the addition of s? Yes and no. Yes, if we are thinking of staffs of different establishments, but no if we are thinking of the staff of a single establishment.  The following sentences, for example, are deficient: 1) The school’s *staffs are committed to their duties.  2) The company’s *staffs are loyal to the chairman. 3) All the *staffs in this unit are to come for the one-week workshop. 4) The chairman would like to address all *staffs of the company tomorrow. 5) The workshop is meant for all the *staffs of this school. 6) The *staffs in our Department have not received their salaries.

It is grammatically improper to have the word staff in a form carrying a final s as it does in each of those sentences.

However, when the reference is to the workers in several establishments, then it is proper to add –s to staff. Now consider the following sentences: 1) There is a forum where all the staffs of the various companies in the conglomerate meet. 2) Should the staffs of the companies belonging to the government and those belonging to private entrepreneurs be placed under the same salary scheme? 3) Representatives of staffs from private and public companies are meeting next month. 4) This consulting firm trains staffs of both government and private companies. 5) The staffs of the companies in the rubber industry will be interacting very soon.

The word staffs in each of those sentences refers to bodies or groups of workers in two or more establishments.

The word can also be used in the verb form. Let’s consider the following sentences: 1) The Department is staffed by highly intelligent and experienced people. 2) It is a well-staffed school, with about seven mathematics teachers and ten chemistry teachers. 3) The major problem of that firm is that of staffing. 4) The unit is staffed exclusively by medical doctors. 5) Of course the kitchen should be staffed by trained caterers. 6) Do you think hospitals are staffed by only doctors and nurses?