The English Language
From time to time I like to have a little moan.
Today it is all about the the poor use of the English language. In fact I would go as far as to say that the English language is being ruined.
When you hear people speak and especially the young it is apparent that they are no longer being educated to use English in the correct way. This is concerning as the UK Government are continually declaring that schools are getting record results in examination passes. How can that be when many just cannot no longer spell but also use words completely out of context?
How many times do you use the word ‘like’ in a sentence? If you listen to many people now and you will hear it 2 or 3 times! A typical example would be, “Well I like went to Bristol cos I like wanted to go shopping like.” I wonder how many marks they got in their exams?
Good Education and the English Language
In my opinion good education begins with teaching young people how to read, write and speak well. It enables them to grasp other things better both during their education and later in life. The attitude now seems to be don’t worry about how something should be spelled or if the grammar is not right or even if the right word is not used. Mark it up as a pass! We are going to end up with a nation of people that cannot understand each other properly.
Back to the English Language
Surely now is the time for the education authorities to get back to the real basics. Let’s get back to using the English language with all its richness in a proper way.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree Roland. The state of the English language in the majority of the young is appalling at present.
One small item that annoys me on the Internet is the incorrect use of the words “Your” and “You’re”. For example, when updating their Facebook status, or sending a Tweet, or commenting on Forums and Blogs, they constantly use “your” when it should be “you’re”!!
Have you noticed this?
Obviously there are many more ways (and words) in which many youngsters are just not being educated/corrected to use the English language correctly.
Its gettin real bad blud, innit! Your totally rite wiv your comments man. Respec!
Thanks Eric.
I have noticed. Another one that occurs is the use of the word ‘of’ instead of ‘have’ as people now say and have begun to spell “I should of” rather than “I should have”
Grim!
Yes Roland, I’ve noticed that too. Annoying!
It really is awful at times, it’s almost as though they don’t want the adults to understand them.
My Rhodesian wife lived in Zimbabwe until 8 years ago and had the shock of her life when she came back to England. The language and pronunciation was quite a surprise to her.
And then there’s the whole ‘respect’ business…
Thanks for your comment Andy. She probably thought we spoke a “new English”
Hello Roland,
I agree but should’nt “cannot no longer spell” be “cannot any longer spell” ? and spelled be spelt.
Just joined you and am not usually pedantic about things
Keith
Hi Keith
Thank you for your comment. Using “no longer” is fine in the middle of a sentence, whereas “any longer” would be at the beginning or end.
Spelt or spelled is fully interchangeable. Spelled does differentiate the word from a type of wheat called spelt.
A good comment, thank you.
Roland