Use of the English language by Americans (1 Viewer)

[JohnnyU]

IMO the use of the English language by Americans has deteriorated drastically over the last 30 years and It seems to not be a priority in schools anymore. I cringe not only in this forum, but at a lot of conversations I hear in public, especially from some of those under the age of 30. A lot of people not from the US speak better English than Americans do.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I hear dat.

 

[squistion]

IMO the use of the English language by Americans has deteriorated drastically over the last 30 years. It seems to not be a priority in schools anymore. I cringe not only in this forum, but at a lot of conversations I hear in public, especially from some of those under the age of 30. It seems those not from the US speak better English than Americans do.

And I remember reading and hearing the same exact complaint from people 30 years ago and in particular about young people. Personally, I don't think it is any worse.

 

[JohnnyU]

IMO the use of the English language by Americans has deteriorated drastically over the last 30 years. It seems to not be a priority in schools anymore. I cringe not only in this forum, but at a lot of conversations I hear in public, especially from some of those under the age of 30. It seems those not from the US speak better English than Americans do.

And I remember reading and hearing the same exact complaint from people 30 years ago and in particular about young people. Personally, I don't think it is any worse.

That’s your prerogative.

 

[Galileo]

Deteriorated? Or, is it merely evolving as languages tend to do?

 

[JohnnyU]

Deteriorated? Or, is it merely evolving as languages tend to do?

Well, it’s like I’m not sure. If nuff people, like, say the same thing, then I suppose that’s the new English, so deal with it. Kind of reminds me of the movie idiocracy.

 

[tymarsas]

No offence, but this seems like a "get off my lawn" type thread. I remember when pwned became a thing and I thought it was the most ridiculous thing. Then I realized I was just getting old.

 

[JohnnyU]

No offence, but this seems like a "get off my lawn" type thread. I remember when pwned became a thing and I thought it was the most ridiculous thing. Then I realized I was just getting old.

No, not really. I just don’t think speaking good English is as much of a priority as it used to be. If that is just an age thing, OK.

 

[tymarsas]

No offence, but this seems like a "get off my lawn" type thread. I remember when pwned became a thing and I thought it was the most ridiculous thing. Then I realized I was just getting old.

No, not really. I just don’t think speaking good English is as much of a priority as it used to be. If that is just an age thing, OK.

Probably a bit of both. I do think that texting and social media have changed the way people talk. And that change would be considered ungood English by previous standards.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

IMO the use of the English language by Americans has deteriorated drastically over the last 30 years. It seems to not be a priority in schools anymore. I cringe not only in this forum, but at a lot of conversations I hear in public, especially from some of those under the age of 30. It seems those not from the US speak better English than Americans do.

And I remember reading and hearing the same exact complaint from people 30 years ago and in particular about young people. Personally, I don't think it is any worse.

That’s your prerogative.

Are you sure you're using the right word here? I think you mean to say its his "opinion" or a similar word, which of course is true. A "prerogative" is more a special privilege one has due to their status or position in society or in an organization.

 

[JohnnyU]

I think a lot of it is because of technology and probably some of it our educational system.

 

[gianmarco]

IMO the use of the English language by Americans has deteriorated drastically over the last 30 years. It seems to not be a priority in schools anymore. I cringe not only in this forum, but at a lot of conversations I hear in public, especially from some of those under the age of 30. It seems those not from the US speak better English than Americans do.

And I remember reading and hearing the same exact complaint from people 30 years ago and in particular about young people. Personally, I don't think it is any worse.

That’s your prerogative.

Are you sure you're using the right word here? I think you mean to say its his "opinion" or a similar word, which of course is true. A "prerogative" is more a special privilege one has due to their status or position in society or in an organization.

Some people English better than others.

 

[Runkle]

Language changes over time. Just the natural way of things. Words get used one way enough and it gains a different meaning.

For example, "yes" used to mean "no" until the language shifted. More recently, "nimrod" meant great and powerful until a misunderstanding changed the meaning. This is the normal progress of a language in wide use.

 

[JohnnyU]

IMO the use of the English language by Americans has deteriorated drastically over the last 30 years. It seems to not be a priority in schools anymore. I cringe not only in this forum, but at a lot of conversations I hear in public, especially from some of those under the age of 30. It seems those not from the US speak better English than Americans do.

And I remember reading and hearing the same exact complaint from people 30 years ago and in particular about young people. Personally, I don't think it is any worse.

That’s your prerogative.

Are you sure you're using the right word here? I think you mean to say its his "opinion" or a similar word, which of course is true. A "prerogative" is more a special privilege one has due to their status or position in society or in an organization.

Not the only definition of the word. Prerogative refers to decision making intrinsically free of regulation.

 

[ghostguy123]

Language changes over time. Just the natural way of things. Words get used one way enough and it gains a different meaning.

For example, "yes" used to mean "no" until the language shifted. More recently, "nimrod" meant great and powerful until a misunderstanding changed the meaning. This is the normal progress of a language in wide use.

Maybe.
How is language progressing/regressing in other countries compared to here?
I'd be interested to see.

 

[tymarsas]

I'm still upset they changed the definition of "literally".

 

[Long Ball Larry]

IMO the use of the English language by Americans has deteriorated drastically over the last 30 years. It seems to not be a priority in schools anymore. I cringe not only in this forum, but at a lot of conversations I hear in public, especially from some of those under the age of 30. It seems those not from the US speak better English than Americans do.

And I remember reading and hearing the same exact complaint from people 30 years ago and in particular about young people. Personally, I don't think it is any worse.

That’s your prerogative.

Are you sure you're using the right word here? I think you mean to say its his "opinion" or a similar word, which of course is true. A "prerogative" is more a special privilege one has due to their status or position in society or in an organization.

Not the only definition of the word. Prerogative refers to decision making intrinsically free of regulation.

"Exactly!"

-Bobby Brown

 

[JohnnyU]

I'm still upset they changed the definition of "literally".

My granddaughter is responsible for that.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Back in my day we only used proper English phrases, such as "Ain't ain't a word cuz ain't ain't even in the dictionary."

 

[Runkle]

I'm still upset they changed the definition of "literally".

We could only save one. Spent all our energy keeping Alanis from changing the meaning of "ironic" that literally slipped through.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

IMO the use of the English language by Americans has deteriorated drastically over the last 30 years. It seems to not be a priority in schools anymore. I cringe not only in this forum, but at a lot of conversations I hear in public, especially from some of those under the age of 30. It seems those not from the US speak better English than Americans do.

Straight dope

 

[belljr]

First they came for cursive and I said nothing

 

[JohnnyU]

First they came for cursive and I said nothing

You can add in long division as well.

 

[Runkle]

John McWhorter's podcast, Lexicon Valley, is a great perspective on how English has changed in the past and how the same dynamics are still at work today in how the language is constantly evolving.

 

[JohnnyU]

John McWhorter's podcast, Lexicon Valley, is a great perspective on how English has changed in the past and how the same dynamics are still at work today in how the language is constantly evolving.

I would think there are some rules in the English language that are not negotiable, or are we moving the goal post every 30 years?

 

[General Malaise]

No offence, but this seems like a "get off my lawn" type thread. I remember when pwned became a thing and I thought it was the most ridiculous thing. Then I realized I was just getting old.

No, not really. I just don’t think speaking good English is as much of a priority as it used to be. If that is just an age thing, OK.

 Proper English. Not  good English.

 

[JohnnyU]

No offence, but this seems like a "get off my lawn" type thread. I remember when pwned became a thing and I thought it was the most ridiculous thing. Then I realized I was just getting old.

No, not really. I just don’t think speaking good English is as much of a priority as it used to be. If that is just an age thing, OK.

 Proper English. Not  good English.

Got me on that one. I never said I was like perfect……. Literally.

 

[Ilov80s]

IMO the use of the English language by Americans has deteriorated drastically over the last 30 years. It seems to not be a priority in schools anymore. I cringe not only in this forum, but at a lot of conversations I hear in public, especially from some of those under the age of 30. It seems those not from the US speak better English than Americans do.

The amount of time people spend reading has declined significantly. Schools are still trying to teach reading and writing but it’s like pulling teeth to get many teens to read. Tough to compete with all the media options available. I’ve seen our districts testing. Our kids score very well until around grade 5-7 when a huge decline happens. My theory is that this correlates with the age most kids get their first cell phone.

 

[Snoopy]

I'm a disinterested, not uninterested, reader.

 

[JohnnyU]

IMO the use of the English language by Americans has deteriorated drastically over the last 30 years. It seems to not be a priority in schools anymore. I cringe not only in this forum, but at a lot of conversations I hear in public, especially from some of those under the age of 30. It seems those not from the US speak better English than Americans do.

The amount of time people spend reading has declined significantly. Schools are still trying to teach reading and writing but it’s like pulling teeth to get many teens to read. Tough to compete with all the media options available. I’ve seen our districts testing. Our kids score very well until around grade 5-7 when a huge decline happens. My theory is that this correlates with the age most kids get their first cell phone.

Good posting

 

[Ilov80s]

IMO the use of the English language by Americans has deteriorated drastically over the last 30 years. It seems to not be a priority in schools anymore. I cringe not only in this forum, but at a lot of conversations I hear in public, especially from some of those under the age of 30. It seems those not from the US speak better English than Americans do.

And I remember reading and hearing the same exact complaint from people 30 years ago and in particular about young people. Personally, I don't think it is any worse.

The vocab of Grad Students has been declining for 40 years

Americans' Vocabulary Skills Are Dropping, Despite The Growing Percentage Of College Graduates

A recent study shows that despite more Americans going to college, their vocabulary skills have not increased since the 1970s.

www.psychnewsdaily.com

 

[Jayrod]

whatev

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Id wager that the collective IQ of college students from most of the 19th century would demolish that of the college kids of today.

 

[gump]

Grammer clearly has went downhill.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

To be fair, I don’t think he means slang words being added/removed.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Grammer clearly has went downhill.

I’ve know I’ve done my part.

 

[The General]

First they came for cursive and I said nothing

Cursive can shove it!

 

[zamboni]

We lost the war in the ‘70s when we failed to make the shift to the metric system.

 

[JohnnyU]

First they came for cursive and I said nothing

Cursive can shove it!

Yes, printing like a 7 year old from 1975 is cool.

 

[Ilov80s]

Id wager that the collective IQ of college students from most of the 19th century would demolish that of the college kids of today.

The average college student in the 1800s was almost certainly smarter. Very few people actually went to college then. However, they were less knowledgeable obviously.

 

[Osaurus]

Mind bottling

 

[tymarsas]

Grammer clearly has went downhill.

Spelling too, apparently.

 

[fatness]

At first I was like yah and then I was like nah. Walla.

 

[TheWalkmen]

You can take that to the bank.

 

[3C's]

I seen that for years now.

 

[ChicoCat]

Jus' hang loose, blood. She gonna catch ya up on da rebound on da med side.

 

[ghostguy123]

Pootie Tang started it

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Jus' hang loose, blood. She gonna catch ya up on da rebound on da med side.

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Golly!

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Fun fact: The original meaning of "literal" was "of or pertaining to alphabetic letters". Which means that the definition insisted on by traditionalists ("taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or allegory") is, in fact, a figurative one

 

[brun]

wurd