Dumbing Down the Language!

Have you read comments after posts on FB? Wonder what some of them mean?

The Dumbing-down of Language—The Tip of the Iceberg

Have you ever read the comments that follow just about everything on the net—and wonder what level of education the person leaving the comment has achieved? Or worse yet, read the comments and not noticed anything amiss?

Here are a few obvious examples of language errors that are rampant:

Words that mean different things, are spelled differently (sometimes!) but sound the same:

There-a place

They’re-means “they are”, a contraction

Their-possession, their house, their cat, their jacket

To-movement from one place to another

Two- the number following ONE

Too-in excess, more than enough

Here-a place

Hear-act of recognizing a sound

Bare-stripped, naked

Bear-a large carnivore

Read-to see words and understand their meaning, past tense

Red-the color

And often confused...

Read-to say aloud what is written

Pitcher-vessel for water or liquid

Picture-a framed representation or a photograph

Pitcher-a person in a baseball game that throws the ball toward the catcher

Principal-Some one holding a place of importance and influence in a school

Principle-an idea that shapes policy, actions or thoughts

Council-a group of individuals who give advice, decide or deliberate

Counsel-the act of giving advice

Counsel-lawyer conducting a case

Assume-make a determination based on unsubstantiated information

Assume-to take a position of power or responsibility

Affect-result of an action

Effect-to bring about a desired result

Effect-lighting, sound, scenery in a theatrical production

Bristle-stiff part of a brush head, short, stiff hair

Bristle-Hair standing on end in anger, aggression or fear

Bristle-to become offended or defensive

There are many examples in this category of misused words. These are just a few common words that if chosen wrong, can lead to confusion and misunderstanding or muddy the meaning of a written or spoken opinion.

There are other areas of misuse that should be noted. Among them are the oft occurring subject and verb agreement. If the subject is plural, the verb should be plural. If the subject is singular, the verb is singular.

English is in itself a funny language and often a hard one to master. It is constantly evolving, which is sure proof that it is a living language, not a dead one! Its idiosyncrasies make it a tough language to master, and often make for entertaining reading.

On occasion comments that are left on the net make no sense. They do not express a complete thought—leaving the reader wondering what point was being made by the writer. They may not be a complete sentence—again leaving the reader hanging and wondering. Some appear to have been typed in haste, then not read to see if the desired meaning was conveyed. Who does that? And why? If you take the time to comment, please help us understand what you want to say!

The most concerning element of reading these ubiquitous errors is not that they exist, but that they are so common. It indicates that something is amiss in our education system. They indicate that there is little respect or need for accuracy or clarity in written or oral speech. It suggests that those who fail to apply the most common usage of their native tongue may be easily influenced by those who speak louder, more often, and who might be motivated to use the language to influence the thought processes of those whose grasp of the language is tenuous.

Language and its subtleties require serious effort and thought.

So, come on people! Yes, express yourself. But be sure that what you write will clearly influence those who read it. If you have something to say, say it, but say it clearly. Say it so it can be understood, and not just ridiculed for improper word selection!

Let your words reflect what you are really thinking. Yes, to do that, you must really think. Writing a ‘comment’ in haste may not be effective. Don’t just be reactive and not care a whit about how you say it.

Speak up!

Express yourself! Let your words speak what your mind and heart really want to communicate.

Say it, but with care and precision!