Language is the basis of communication in our society. Worldwide there are many different types of languages, dialects, and slangs that are incorporated into our lifestyles. When we are placed in different environments we tend to act as appropriate and also how others seem to act around us. From home, to school, to work, we change to satisfy our authorities and to be what is socially acceptable. I live in a very strict Italian household where my father is looked at to be the “man of the house.” Being polite and courteous is mandatory and if not followed there are always stern looks thrown your way. One thing I have learned is that “Yes” is never “Yeah”, ever. When someone asks you a question you always smile and sound very polite and answer with yes. During my middle school and high school years, I attended a Catholic private school. Having nuns and brothers as teachers was not rare at my school, and neither were priests as principals. To your teachers you spoke with the upmost respect and you learned very quickly that they are always right and arguing with get you nothing but detention. But when talking with your classmates you used slang words such as “ what’s up” or “how you doing.” You were able to joke around with your peers and use words that are abbreviated such as “wtf”, “omg”, and “lol.” Even in one environment you changed the way you speak to different people. As a senior in high school, I worked at an upscale restaurant in my town, where people came dressed to impress. People came with their family members or businessmen showing their employees how big their wallets are. As a hostess, I was required to speak as if I was talking to the President of the United States. You were supposed to make the person feel like they were the first and most important priority in the room. Always smiling and always replying with “Yes Sir or Ma’am” was required and also speaking with proper English and grammar. Never would a “wut up dawg” ever be appropriate in such a place. Since technology has been developing significantly, there has also been many different ways to communicate via the web. Myspace, Facebook, and AOL are devices that most teenagers and young adults use almost daily. When communicating through these networks many tend to abbreviate, use incomplete sentences, and also slang to talk with one another. Though no one would dare to write “wtf” on an English paper contrasting the characters in a Shakespearian novel. During English class, you write papers and do homework in full sentences without abbreviation and slang. When we are placed in different environments, we tend to conform to them to be respected whoever our audience is. The different types of dialect, slang, and language we use is always changing. Because our language and writing seem to be connected, our writing also changing in different environments.
It's good that you've began talking a bit about written language. But what about the more formal types of writing you do? How does that compare to the way things are written on facebook?
I really enjoyed reading your post for DW1a. I like how you described the different places. I think you should have some direct quotes from those places it would emphasize your points even more.
Language is the basis of communication in our society. Worldwide there are many different types of languages, dialects, and slangs that are incorporated into our lifestyles. When we are placed in different environments we tend to act as appropriate and also how others seem to act around us. From home, to school, to work, we change to satisfy our authorities and to be what is socially acceptable.
ReplyDeleteI live in a very strict Italian household where my father is looked at to be the “man of the house.” Being polite and courteous is mandatory and if not followed there are always stern looks thrown your way. One thing I have learned is that “Yes” is never “Yeah”, ever. When someone asks you a question you always smile and sound very polite and answer with yes.
During my middle school and high school years, I attended a Catholic private school. Having nuns and brothers as teachers was not rare at my school, and neither were priests as principals. To your teachers you spoke with the upmost respect and you learned very quickly that they are always right and arguing with get you nothing but detention. But when talking with your classmates you used slang words such as “ what’s up” or “how you doing.” You were able to joke around with your peers and use words that are abbreviated such as “wtf”, “omg”, and “lol.” Even in one environment you changed the way you speak to different people.
As a senior in high school, I worked at an upscale restaurant in my town, where people came dressed to impress. People came with their family members or businessmen showing their employees how big their wallets are. As a hostess, I was required to speak as if I was talking to the President of the United States. You were supposed to make the person feel like they were the first and most important priority in the room. Always smiling and always replying with “Yes Sir or Ma’am” was required and also speaking with proper English and grammar. Never would a “wut up dawg” ever be appropriate in such a place.
Since technology has been developing significantly, there has also been many different ways to communicate via the web. Myspace, Facebook, and AOL are devices that most teenagers and young adults use almost daily. When communicating through these networks many tend to abbreviate, use incomplete sentences, and also slang to talk with one another. Though no one would dare to write “wtf” on an English paper contrasting the characters in a Shakespearian novel. During English class, you write papers and do homework in full sentences without abbreviation and slang.
When we are placed in different environments, we tend to conform to them to be respected whoever our audience is. The different types of dialect, slang, and language we use is always changing. Because our language and writing seem to be connected, our writing also changing in different environments.
It's good that you've began talking a bit about written language. But what about the more formal types of writing you do? How does that compare to the way things are written on facebook?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post for DW1a. I like how you described the different places. I think you should have some direct quotes from those places it would emphasize your points even more.
ReplyDelete