Language Agenda: Consular: Grammar and Semantics

The Writer

Introduction
In the lexicon of International Relations and Diplomacy, one word that suffers a high frequency of wrong use is "CONSULAR." It is common to hear phrases such as "Ghana CONSULAR in Saudi", "Iranian Cultural CONSULAR in Ghana", and "British CONSULAR in Accra." With all humility, LITERARY DISCOURSE contends that these phrases and similar ones are wrong. In fact, they are hostile to Grammar, rebellious to Semantics, and offensive to Usage. Below is the justification of contention.

Grammatical properties
Grammatically, "CONSULAR" is an adjective. Its noun form is "CONSUL." Other nouns related to "CONSULAR" are "CONSULSHIP" and "CONSULATE." While "CONSULSHIP" refers to the work of a CONSUL, "CONSULATE" refers to the physical structure where the work is done.

Semantic Properties
As a word in diplomatic literature, "CONSUL" means an official appointed by a state to live in a foreign country and protect the state's citizens and interest in the foreign land. The state's interests may range from politics to economics. The highest ranking CONSUL is CONSUL GENERAL. ideally, he or she is the head of a CONSULATE (GENERAL).

Usage
In the light of the above explanation, it is obvious that "CONSULAR" alone CANNOT be a humanbeing. Since it is an adjective, it can only qualify nouns - humans and non-humans. Let us consider the following illustrative sentences:

* Alhaji Abu Dibang is the CONSULAR Officer at Ghana Consulate in Saudi Arabia. (Consular: adjective qualifying the noun "Officer").

* Tungteeya is responsible for CONSULAR duties at Batang Yili Mission in Dagbon State. (Consular: adjective qualifying the noun "duties").

It is instructive to observe that the adjective-noun structure in the illustrative sentences can be replaced with "CONSUL" without disturbing the meanings of the sentences. Examples:

* Alhaji Abu Dibang is the CONSUL at Ghana Consulate in Saudi Arabia.

* Tungteeya is the CONSUL at Batang Yili Mission in Dagbon State.

Conclusion
Dear reader, it is significant to note that knowing a word is not a guarantee of using it correctly. Indeed, correct usage demands knowledge, context, and care. Therefore, you may consider these areas - when the need arises - to help save "CONSULAR" from grammatical and semantic abuse.

NOTE: This discourse is dedicated to the Ghana Consulate in Jeddah and Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the warm reception they accorded us the Hajj Pilgrims on arrival at Madina International Airport.

The writer is a Lecturer, University of Applied Management, Germany - Ghana Campus, McCarthy Hill, Accra.