Nigerian English speakers say "in all ramifications" to mean "in all aspects," or "in all dimensions." However, "ramifications" (note that it's often pluralized) is widely understood among native English speakers to mean an "unwelcome consequence," as in, "The murder of the soldier is bound to have grave ramifications for the community."
"Ramification" is a derivative of "ramify," which literally means to grow branches. So, ramification can mean branches, an arrangement of branching parts, units of a complex structure, etc. as in, "he broke off one of the ramifications." I think when Nigerian English speakers say "in all ramifications" to mean "in all aspects," or "in all dimensions," they are metaphorically extending the literal meaning of ramification (i.e., the branches of a tree). Although the usage is unidiomatic and nonstandard, I think it is legitimate. Unfortunately, native English speakers are unlikely to understand this peculiarly Nigerian usage of the term.
© Prof. Farooq A. Kperogi
Yes,you’re absolutely correct.I have always discouraged the use of “ramifications” to mean “aspects”.It doesn't agree with semantics
ReplyDeleteNigerians version is a more simplified version of the word “ ramification”.
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This is great and helpful. Am writing a book in which I used the phrase 'in all ramifications' to mean 'in all aspects'. But I decided to check more deeply the meaning of the word 'ramification' and I encountered this article. Thank God its not late, I will edit the sentence.
ReplyDeleteOne of my classmates (Nigerian) used this phrase on written assignment and I was quite confused, but thanks for explaining the concept to me.
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