Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Why does it matter?
In English class, we are taught to follow certain rules and pronunciations when it comes to speech and language. Proper grammar while writing and speaking was something that was incredibly stressed at the rudimentary level of schooling.
I remember the teacher constantly quizzing, assessing, and testing us on certain grammatical things that we were supposed to know. But as I mature, I'm starting to question what the point even is. Do we really need to know when to use "me" or "I" in a sentence or whether lie, lay, or lain is supposed to be used? Does anyone ever pay attention? It seems like the same society that created all of these terms and laws, is the same society that doesn't even use them anymore. People have become more comfortable and relaxed in reference to language. Proper grammar has even turned into an annoyance to everyday people. I mean honestly, who wants to hear someone speak proper 24/7. We've even gone as far as creating a whole different "language" that we use via text, Facebook, or twitter that allows us to express things quicker and easier. For some of us it's just a habit. Personally, I know "how to turn it on/off." In class, I stress or attempt to stress the way I speak, write, and articulate certain words. BUT as soon as I hit the hallways or see my friends, I'm right back to using slang. Maybe this is due to just pure American laziness or maybe people purely just don't care anymore. Who knows.
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I agree that turning our "slang" on and off is an essential part of school that many of us students are unaware of. The "on/off" switch also happens when writing an essay for school for example: I wouldn't use "u" in stead of "you" in the essay like I would if I were texting one of my friends.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post Tyra. I personally feel that it shouldn't, and doesn't matter whether you talk gramatically correct or not. It's your right as a human being to talk however you want and to not be criticized by the way in which you choose to do it. With that being said, of course the key to any means of communication is actually being understood, and what's the point in talking a certain way that people can't understand. Of course the one one communicates is dependent on the places you are, circumstances your in, and the people your with. It's looked down upon when students talk in slang in there writing, but why? If it could be understood then why not? Writing and how a person communicates is a way for a person to express who they really are and how they really talk. It's a person's style, and why is a person's style being looked down upon just because society says its not appropriate at certain times.I guess it's just a matter of opinion, but it doesn't look like anything will be changing soon. Ain't dat a shame?
ReplyDeleteWitty last line, Andrew.
Delete"Turning it on and off" is essential. My hope is that you will be "bidialectical" -able to speak (and write in) two dialects of English ("Casual English" AND "Standard English"). A person who speaks only Standard English seems pretentious, stuck up, and out-of-place in everyday casual situations. At the same time, a person who speaks only casual English seems uncivilized, uninformed, and out of place in formal situations. Think about how you would want your doctor, your lawyer, or your president to present themselves. You wouldn't be comfortable with a surgeon who told you that he was going to "knock you out and rip your guts out," even if that were exactly what he were going to do. You would prefer that he presented the information to you like this: "I'm going to administer an anesthetic, make a small incision, explore the intestine, and remove the problematic area." --Dialect is everything.
ReplyDeleteOne dialect isn't necessarily better than the other, but dialect serves a cultural purpose, and people who can 'fit in' wherever they go have an advantage over those who can't. I hope to give you this advantage.