Minding Your Language
[sup][user]NewClassic[/user] considers the power and pretension of language.[/sup]
Contrary to what the title may suggest, this is not a thread about the use of expletives or cuss words, but rather a thread examining diction and word-choice. Largely because I've been spending a lot of time carefully considering which words I use and how they're placed.
Normally, this would be a really bizarre topic to consider. Because it's such a natural thing to just use whatever language normally comes out of your mouth regardless of what level of elevation, tone, expressiveness, or diction. Although it's become a point of consideration for me because I'm not even entirely sure I can be understood between my overt use of expressive and intricate language.
I'm unsure of what exactly to shift the blame onto. I don't believe this is in essence the end-result of being an English major in university because I feel as if I've used this sort of language for the overwhelming majority of my adult life. It really is an eye-opener when you have to stop speaking so many times that you begin consciously considering word-choice.
Pompous and elevated pretension through superfluous vocabulary aside, it did increase my awareness of the variety of linguistic patterns I apply to my colloquial method of conversation. Which begged consideration as to the inherent nature of vocabulary versus clarity. In essence to inquire as to whether or not an agreeable compromise could be reached. In searching for a more enlightening solution, I began to examine the speech patterns of passers-by and my peers.
The first thing I noticed is that simplistic language does not immediately facilitate proof of unintelligent language. There was a marked subtlety and grace that carried itself wondrously with certain speakers, even when their vocabulary was compromised almost exclusively of mono-syllables or simple statements. I began to wonder if it was just the alienating properties of unnecessarily elaborate diction that established a communicative barrier. After a discussion with another English major, we decided that while admittedly more difficult, formal and intricate language itself was not as alienating as the tone was.
The end result of all of my self-propelled observation is that I could not observe language and come to a conclusive decision without interactive inquiry. So I thought of no better intellectual participants than our very own Escapists.
Discussion Prompt
So, does present company catch itself moderating its own language? (Through posts, or spoken, either will apply.) If so, is it difficult to consciously alter your method of speech? If not, is it because your peers are capable of following your diction regardless of elevation, or do you find your colloquial dialogues simple to understand regardless of previous education?
[sup][user]NewClassic[/user] considers the power and pretension of language.[/sup]
Contrary to what the title may suggest, this is not a thread about the use of expletives or cuss words, but rather a thread examining diction and word-choice. Largely because I've been spending a lot of time carefully considering which words I use and how they're placed.
Normally, this would be a really bizarre topic to consider. Because it's such a natural thing to just use whatever language normally comes out of your mouth regardless of what level of elevation, tone, expressiveness, or diction. Although it's become a point of consideration for me because I'm not even entirely sure I can be understood between my overt use of expressive and intricate language.
I'm unsure of what exactly to shift the blame onto. I don't believe this is in essence the end-result of being an English major in university because I feel as if I've used this sort of language for the overwhelming majority of my adult life. It really is an eye-opener when you have to stop speaking so many times that you begin consciously considering word-choice.
Pompous and elevated pretension through superfluous vocabulary aside, it did increase my awareness of the variety of linguistic patterns I apply to my colloquial method of conversation. Which begged consideration as to the inherent nature of vocabulary versus clarity. In essence to inquire as to whether or not an agreeable compromise could be reached. In searching for a more enlightening solution, I began to examine the speech patterns of passers-by and my peers.
The first thing I noticed is that simplistic language does not immediately facilitate proof of unintelligent language. There was a marked subtlety and grace that carried itself wondrously with certain speakers, even when their vocabulary was compromised almost exclusively of mono-syllables or simple statements. I began to wonder if it was just the alienating properties of unnecessarily elaborate diction that established a communicative barrier. After a discussion with another English major, we decided that while admittedly more difficult, formal and intricate language itself was not as alienating as the tone was.
The end result of all of my self-propelled observation is that I could not observe language and come to a conclusive decision without interactive inquiry. So I thought of no better intellectual participants than our very own Escapists.
Discussion Prompt
So, does present company catch itself moderating its own language? (Through posts, or spoken, either will apply.) If so, is it difficult to consciously alter your method of speech? If not, is it because your peers are capable of following your diction regardless of elevation, or do you find your colloquial dialogues simple to understand regardless of previous education?
