Language

There has been a marked decline in the quality of language in both written and spoken form. I saw it begin even before the advent of the Internet but it has truly accelerated since then.

This has always puzzled me. Everyone in this country, no matter where you go to school, is taught the proper way to speak and write, yet many people abandon the rules or never adopt them in the first place. Although it doesn’t have the same life threatening effects as other bad habits, I think the source of the problem is the same; peer pressure. That excuse flies when you are a teenager, but when you enter the adult world it falls flat.

The questions I want to ask the practitioners of this bad habit are also the same; why? Why would you want to compromise yourself in this fashion? Is it so important to you to fit in that you will dampen the perception other people have of you to gain acceptance? Do you realize that those outside of your immediate circle of friends see you as less intelligent and trustworthy when you do not speak properly? Do you realize that the language of business in America is English and that your ability to express yourself in the language of business will have a major impact on your standard of living?

The decline in the proper use of language is symptomatic of the decline in the quality of life in this country. If people do not demand proper expression of themselves, do you really think they are going to demand the best of themselves in other areas? They are compromising for the sake of expediency. Once they give in to the peer pressure, complacency sets in and the bad habit becomes ingrained.

If you try to point out the improper use of language to those practitioners, the responses usually range from mild resentment to arrogant self righteousness. The obvious implication is, how dare you point out my inadequacy? What they are really saying is, I have the right to my own stupidity and no one is going to make me change, no matter how much damage I do to myself or my country.

I have a suggestion. Change your bad habit and practice proper expression and see the difference in the reaction you get from people. If anyone tries to ridicule you for this change, then be aware that they are not your friend and they are only trying to hold you prisoner in the same pit of ignorance where they reside.

A revolution begins in the mind of one person. Remember that the widespread use of improper language is a form of noise pollution. Remove this pollution from the air and you improve the quality of life for all. It doesn’t cost you a dime and the return on your investment may be infinite.