Why are multiple dialects for one language widely accepted and respected in other countries but not in the U.S.?
In the U.S., it seems as though, if
you don't speak proper English you are looked down upon. Most countries
have multiple dialects and they are widely used and respected. If we
speak any form of
slang in the U.S., people assume if you
knew proper English, you would use it. While my family and I know proper
English, that is not how we speak every day. I look at speaking a
varied form of proper English as adding flavor.Speaking this way
represents who you are, what you are
comfortable with, how you affiliate and often times your experiences
through cultural differences which should be embraced.
Example: "Whatchu bout to do?" or "Ima be over here." or "I'm finna go to da sto."
Is speaking a varied form of proper English really hurting anyone? If so, who is speaking in this manner really hurting? Is it desecrating or causing proper English to become obsolete?
Angela (10:00)
12 comments:
I am right there with you on this one. I think that the way you speak does add flavor and really as a mom with teenage boys I hear some really strange words and phrases. I really enjoy asking them what they mean. My brother first introduced me to the word (meaning grumpy, I guess):salty. I like it. This weekend a guy at the bar said to me, " You got your pretty swag going." Still haven't figured that one out though, my boys laughed at this. I just don't think there is any harm in a different type of talk, it has been going on forever, really, fag used to mean cigarette, eh used to be sort of a sound that meant "what?" there are tons of example that I could give you. Oh, how about when I make something that my boys like to eat and they tell me it was "fire". I think it is just a thing that happens in all socialites that eventually writers will use in novels to show by their dialect what era their story was set in. I do think that proper English does have it's place though. Job interviews, meeting people you want to have a good impression, etc. But, this is not a bad thing, it is a thing that will happen because times change and people DO not talk now like they did 100 years ago and we won't talk the same now as people 100 years from now will. It is a sign of that age.
I think that adding a little personalization really shows your personality. If everyone spoke the same then nobody would be an individual. I love adding my own little touch to a text or while i am speaking. It really shows me as an individual and shows my style. I love hearing people speaking new sayings. I mean people back in the day never spoke the way we do now. They spoke proper and with class and you really do not see that now a days. So why not add your own "swag."
-Jonathon
I've known a lot of people who write like that, and it drives me nuts. Whenever they get called out writing like a dyslexic 8 year old with a concussion, they usually brush it off with 'its just text messaging! not like you have 2 b a english major all the time!'* but they can't even write properly when they try to. They say that it's not worth the 'extra effort' required to properly spell words and punctuate sentences... extra effort?! It takes me longer to write a 'bad' sentence than to write a proper one, because I have to sit there and purposely think about how to screw it up.
Shane Rasor
I think speaking that way is okay when a person is texting. When someone is writing a paper and talking in public they should speak proper English because it sounds terrible if they are using slang during a face to face conversation. When I text I usually text the way I would say the words to someone who was right in front of me. I can see how a lot of people like to use slang especially when texting because it often shorts the words and gives it a little spice to sound less boring. As long as people are not speaking that way at interviews, in their homework, and meeting new people then I think in other cases it is okay.
Shelby Walker
No, I don't think speaking a varied form of English is hurting anyone. Speak how you want to speak and if people cant accept you for who you are then they don't need to be around you. Of course you don't go to a job interview speaking slang and I know everyone knows that. And you also don't speak to someone personal that way. Any other people like family and friends then its okay to talk in slang there's nothing wrong with that at all. Why do you have to speak proper all day everyday? Some people just talk like that period. But me I'm not proper at all unless I'm at work because I work for Corporate and also if I'm in a professional environment, other than that slang it is.
Shantel (NOON)
I think there is somewhat of a dialect difference. I know other countries like the Philippines throughout the islands they have different dialects because of the islands. The distance allows it like with other islands. People throughout the U.S have a variety of accents, slang terms and quirks when they speak. These people tend to be frowned upon as well because others a not used to it and people look down on things that are strange to them. Some people may find it hard to understand or say they are not intelligent because they cannot understand them. The U.S is a multicultural place and many diverse languages are spoken here; in many different dialects; that’s where the indifference come from.
J.McWhorter 10:00
Like Divina I use the word salty all the tim, but I also dont go around saying "i'm finna" "da" anything like that..why? because ITS FREAKING ANNOYING!I use different words that mean different things, but i cannot stand when people talk like the following picture shown above...like whats the point if you're taking more time to spell the wrong way than to spell the right way? or when you substitute letters for other letters like c's for x's and g's for q's its just stupid...i think using words like salty, fire, and anything along those lines is completely fine because it doesnt make you look like a complete idiot...but when you go out of your way to talq lyke it aint finna maqe yew looq kewl and i will not have a conversation with you period.
kristina young
I don't think it is really hurting anyone. I think it's just a new change in America and some people just don't like change. I believe it is not hurting anyone because it's not like it making anyone look stupid but its just a different way of speaking to people. I don't think it is desecrating or causing proper to become an obsolete because it just something that makes people feel comfortable around their friends.
Kyle Ogle (Noon)
I think that what you said can be true using "slang" or adding "flavor" to your language there's nothing wrong with that. I just believe that there is a time and place for everything. You should know exactly when to use proper English. For example you should be using proper spelling and proper grammar on job applications, job interviews, college apps, homework and other things involving taking you far in your future. Even though it doesn't matter people who see you not using proper grammar may look at you as if you don't have enough education or your not educated enough. No that's not fair for them to do so but sometimes that's just how life is. It's best to use proper grammar depending on your situation.. But joking around with friends and family can be a different story.
-Chelsea W (10:00)
Because so many people use texting and the internet for communication that they abbreviate. If you don't speak proper English you might not get looked down upon but its obvious your social skills aren't very good. This is a free country so people can speak how they want to. People will definitely have their opinion how you are talking but people have something to say about everything. I feel like you should do you and let people do them. Speaking is part of you so do it your way. But there are times when proper English should be used for example in serious conversation or when trying to get a job. Use proper English when necessary other then that do what ever you like.
Ian 10:00
I don't think speaking in a different way is hurting any one. Nope! not at all! I use that type of "slang" all the time. I think it's because i text message all the time :( I do it so much, i even find myself doing it in papers that i write. My teachers have corrected me on it plenty of times. I dont know why people make such a big deal out of little stuff like that. I guess we should "know better" or else we werent taugh the "right way" tuh! i talk however i want to, and if a person doesnt like it, then to hell with them. I do try to talk "proper" when i am talking to someone of authority or who is said to be "important" but it's an "act" and i don't feel like myself most of the time! I do want my children to grow up speaking proper English. It sort of says something about you. I want them to give off a great impression to people, whether it be their teachers, employer, or elder. although i feel the way you talk is apart of you, and makes us all different and unique, there is a time and place for it. I know some people say that i talk "white" and then there are some who say "ghetto" or i sound like a "mother" what do they mean by this?? i dont know. i dont pay it any mind, because at the end of the day, i am me. and im not here to please any one.
Kiara Dudley
I think its part of the persons personality. If we all spoke the same nobody would stick out and be unique. I don't have a problem with people adding their touch to the text.Sometimes it comes across as funny, ya it may take me a bit to figure out what they are trying to tell me but hey that's okay. But when it comes to getting a job we all should learn how to speak proper English and have some what of class when we are talking. I think that its a part of our society that just happens over time and its something that people pick up.
D
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