Watching your word in politics

Words, words; the free and endless flow of words, most often with little thought behind them, is the prerogative of our politicians, and symptomatic of our unique democracy. We are just now seeing how careless words, uttered in haste have led to the not unfamiliar spectacle of politicians eating their own words, seeking rehabilitation in the corridors of power.

The power of political words can have the most unexpected results. A good example was what happened in the old parliament some decades ago. It was when the brothers Gunawardena -Philip and Robert - were reunited in politics in the VLSSP. That was when the very sight of late CP de Silva was sufficient to rouse both Philip and Robert to rage. CP had just made statement on his familiar subject of irrigation. Robert sprung from the Opposition benches to make a scathing attack on his policies. His sharp and angry words rolled on when suddenly something flew out of his mouth.

A surprised House saw his dentures fly out and fall in the well of the House. There was humorous uproar among members from both sides. Undaunted, Robert went on speaking angrily, taking the whole thing in his stride, saying: What he [CP] says is so provocative that when answering him even my teeth fly out. There was further uproar as an attendant picked up the dentures and placed it on Robert's desk.

The Sinhala idiom is full of interesting aphorisms that relate to the use of words, with much said about the tongue, mouth and teeth. One such adage describes the ideal children that parents can have as a "kata athi putha, and a ruva athi duva" - a son with a good tongue and an attractive daughter. On course there is another which says "kata arina thek modayath pandithayek" - the fool is a pundit, until he opens his mouth. Looking at the whirligig of politics today, one sees that this applies to many of our politicians, including those born with a silver spoon in one's mouth.

When talking of the power of words often uttered without much thought, we are familiar with the adage that says that even though a whole country could be fenced; it is not possible to fence in the mouth.

Many a politician would not fall into the difficulties they often get into if they pay heed to the proverb that goes - hondata narakata dekata katamaya - the mouth it is, for both good and bad. It will also help them plenty if they also remember the familiar saying about the fish dying because of its mouth.

It is also traditional wisdom that though the mouth may lie, the tongue does not; which speaks much about the familiar utterances of our politicians who are often caught out through the conflicting statements they make, on most any issue.

In the face of much criticism leveled against him in parliament, Mr. R. Premadasa, then Prime Minister, on several occasions cautioned his critics on the use of words, reminding them that the tongue is surrounded by thirty two teeth, with the unstated warning that though one can be free with the use of the tongue, it can hurt badly when bitten by one's teeth.

The flexibility and elasticity of political words is brought into focus by the words that remind us all that there are no bones in the tongue, - divata eta neha - which means it can be twisted any way one wishes to. Of course there is not much respect for a - diva dekey miniha - or double-tongued person. Our democracy also gives enough and more examples of persons with a forked tongue.

Our politicians have a great knack for that tireless task of planting sweet potatoes with one's mouth - katin bathala kola hitavanava - which is why most promises of politicians remain forever at the level of empty promises. And, there is more than a word of caution about being duped by the great displays of religious fervour shown by many a politician today, from the adage that says - hakke Budures, bokke dadamas - rays of the Buddha from the jaw, flesh from the hunt in the stomach.

Although most politicians get over their teething pains very fast, there is little to show that even after sprouting wisdom teeth they are any wiser about the actual needs of the country and the people, with whatever wisdom they have being confined to furthering one's own good.

It is best to conclude by recalling that other piece of traditional wisdom that says - kathaava dolaaven, gamana payin - while talk goes on the palanquin, the journey is done on foot. It is difficult to get a more succinct definition of the words and deeds of politicians, whatever hue they come from.

[email protected]