Bad Grammar

‘Stomp editor Serene Siew said everyone could play a part in identifying and highlighting poor usage of English. She added: “It satisfies our innate curiosity to correct faux pas by well- known [sic] establishments, which are supposed to have vetted their documents and posters beforehand” (Straits Times, 30 August 2007).

Erm, isn’t the Straits Times a ‘well-known establishment’ … or are they simply exempt from having to correct their own faux pas (of which there are countless, as copiously identified and highlighted in this blog)?

Compare the following subheading (ST Life!, 3 October 2007), where the obviously well-educated sub-editor fails to understand that unwelcome (not unwelcomed) is the usual adjectival form …


… with this banner hanging outside a coffee shop in Jurong West — hardly a ‘well-known establishment’ by any stretch of the imagination — written in perfectly grammatical English by someone who knows that the correct adjectival forms are open and welcome (not opened and welcomed):

Does the ST have higher editorial standards than our Jurong West coffee shop ... and should it be publishing a guide to good English? You decide.