discuss - the deprecation of linguistics

[IXinX]

Hello,

I have something thats been dwelling on my mind for a while but have only been able to make it into a communicable form now. It's been hanging around for some time because it's hard to communicate this opinion. It's hard to make sense of what i mean when the issue here is how one becomes difficult of communication.
I think that the use of language, the interest in wordplay and lexical symbology is fast becoming obsolete. This is particularly true with the example of the word "like". I've noticed that a subconscious habit to use this word to punctuate or replace verbs or adjectives is now very popular. And it's fucked.

What is the purpose of using an antiquated and excessively flowery array of english vocabulary in today's world when most people don't have an inkling of what these words mean? The excessive use of less common words tends to create confusion, quite in contradiction to the purpose of having many upon many of words to specifically describe something. Are we becoming dumber? Or is our linguistic palette becoming muddled, and all the colours are being mixed together to create, like, a brown colour?

 

[New]

I think most people just aren't interested in what language has to offer if you explore it. Most people speak to get a point across, and to a linguist, it sounds very crude, akin to using a swiss army knife only to open boxes while ignoring the bottle opener, the mini saw, the leather punch...you get my point. It does sound dumbed-down to some people, but I like to think of it as simplified for mass use.

 

[New]

They're probably just looking for a word to fill in so their thoughts come out fluidly, because we don't have mandatory speaking classes in schools, so everyone pretty much figures it out for themselves. I just can't figure out why they use the word "like" as filler. All I can think of is that it sounds better than "um" or "ah", being a real word, and I have to admit it's a fun word to say.

And you're completely right, sonnygourdna, speaking at less than your ability helps no one...besides pushing for mandatory speaking classes, it's all one can do.

 

[thujone]

my theory is that people with nothing to talk about lose their power to wind cogent speech. when we're all about the same old same old, working class, day-of-many grind then there's really no point to expand our verbal capacity unless it makes things easier which it doesn't.

on the other hand, minds under constant stimulus are constantly looking for new ways to express with words to weave more vivid images from speech, and elevate tongue motion into an art form. and that fascinates others who enjoy mental stimulus.

rap is a perfect example of this theory; emcees who still have deep roots in the streets where they grew up are constantly evolving linguistically whereas top40 asshats like 50 cent who have jack shit in common with the place they were born keep repeating rhymes in weak fashion because they aren't given the stimulus necessary to say new things or learn new ways to say things.

similarly, the average suburban white boy banging the 50 cent knows nothing about anything and will work forever at Wendy's having no use for nor taking any enjoyment from complexity in verse.

 

[Raz]

Maybe this is just me, but I'm getting a really uncomfortable vibe of 'we're better than the unwashed masses because we say defenestrate instead of fuck you up'....

Using a limited vocabulary is not necessarily a sign of stupidity....there are many reasons people use the language they do, and I think language isn't dying so much as constantly evolving. Something else which bears mentioning as well is that we live in a time where a greater cross-section of people than ever before have access to mass communication tools.

It's far more likely in 2008 that you will regularly interact with people from all walks of life than it would have been in 1988. And it's inevitable when that happens that different habits, speech patterns etc will transfer. I consider myself to have quite a good vocabulary and a fairly good intuitive understanding of linguistic rules, but I choose to ignore a lot of that in my day to day life because a) I believe the message is more important than the medium, b) I would prefer to be associated with the people I grew up with rather than over-educated twats from the other side of the river, and c) I'm lazy. Which is very different to being an idiot.

I don't mind putting the time and energy into expressing myself more fluently with my writing, because I do actually like using words and I would like to think I'm good at it....but it's not a priority for me to invest that time and energy if I'm just having a casual conversation with someone.

And honestly, I don't think it's contributing to the decline of anything. I'm sure this exact same issue was being discussed a hundred years ago when the youth of the day were louting about with what was surely judged woeful language skills, and I'm sure this exact same issue is going to be a hot debate another hundred years down the track...

 

[vurtomatic]

There is definitely a lesser appreciation for the finesse and beauty in language. Not just in everyday useage but in novels as well. I can count with one hand the number of authors I can still read for beautiful writing.

Appreciating language takes time, not just for the writer, but for the reader as well. And we just don't have the time now. We're now a culture of ideas and messages that have to cut through a lot of crap, so the style of communication becomes more and more succinct and impactful. Also with all ths export and globalization of media, well of course a style of communication gets proliferated much more easily, and wider.

And then you throw in SMS and email ... which is not so much about spelling or styling a message, but communicating its essence. What about all the internet acronyms, and all the gaming jargons that spill over into common useage?

Most people have a commonly used dictionary of approximately 50 words anyway, and the language is constantly evolving due to so many influences. You think the language is deterioating now, how do you think Shakespeare or Keruoac or Hemingway or whoever feels if they're alive today?