Re: Difference between a doctorate and a Ph.D.

The above opinion by Dr. Farooq Kperogi has left me confused in his attempt to make a distinction between a doctorate and a Ph.D. His use of “doctorate degree” in the second paragraph is contrary to the other authorities of the language I have read, especially the Carper English Dictionary of usage. They say a […]

The above opinion by Dr. Farooq Kperogi has left me confused in his attempt to make a distinction between a doctorate and a Ph.D. His use of “doctorate degree” in the second paragraph is contrary to the other authorities of the language I have read, especially the Carper English Dictionary of usage. They say a doctorate degree is a tautology because a doctorate itself is a degree of the highest class. For example, it is better to say a person has a doctorate in History than a doctorate degree in History. Since a doctorate is a degree in itself, do you need the qualification “degree” after a doctorate? Honorary doctorate, according to the other authorities I have read, is more appropriate than honorary doctorate degree. Other bad usages they cited include “new innovation”, “added bonus” “one after the other in succession”, “divine providence.” Dr. Kperogi should kindly educate me further on these issues. Should I disregard the other recommended usages?

Na’Allah Mohammed Zagga, your regular reader and a journalist in Abuja.