One thing that is nails on chalkboard to me is when I hear my fellow nurses use double negatives and other blatant grammar mistakes. I'm speaking of English as a first language, domestically born and raised people.
I feel as this detracts from the professional image of nursing. We are supposed to be educated professionals. Poor grammar makes nursing look like a blue collar trade to those who are educated, such as our physicians and many members of the public.
Let me clarify that I don't harshly judge the intelligence or moral character of people with poor grammar. But, I feel strongly that nurses should project an image of being educated professionals in our speech and demeanor. Thanks for reading.
Specializes in Trauma acute surgery, surgical ICU, PACU.
I just read an article today about how president Bush often flubs the English language, and how it's endeared him to a lot of the population. People don't see it as ignorant, they see it as "folksy", etc. They find it less threatening, and like that the person isn't "talking down to them". I suspect that's why no one yanks the reporters, etc off the air when they speak in certain ways.
I cringe when I think that proper grammar and speech is seen as intimidating by so many people, and that if someone speaks properly to them, they feel like they are being talked down to. Much less that huge sections of the population don't speak properly anyway. Education!!!!!
I'm someone who finds regional and individual variations in pronunciation totally endearing. My husband is European and I love his accent! I used to enjoy Jimmy Carter's accent. President Bush's mistakes don't charm me as much because they seem to be an inept use of language rather than a cute variation in pronunciation, and I would rather the President come across as highly educated since he is the leader of the free world.
I'm someone who finds regional and individual variations in pronunciation totally endearing. My husband is European and I love his accent! I used to enjoy Jimmy Carter's accent. President Bush's mistakes don't charm me as much because they seem to be an inept use of language rather than a cute variation in pronunciation, and I would rather the President come across as highly educated since he is the leader of the free world.
and we know he is capable, ie his speech immediately after 9/11....which makes his folksyness artificial....and indeed talking down to.....
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
one lays something down and it lies there.
(thanks to sister mary miserable, 6th grade, st. martin's academy)
was that her real name???? (or should i say, real "nun" name?)
and we know he is capable, ie his speech immediately after 9/11....which makes his folksyness artificial....and indeed talking down to.....
was the 9-11 one impromptu or formal? i believe he has speech writers (or at least people who edit what he writes) for that sort of thing. his press conferences and spur-of-the-moment gaffes seem genuine enough to me - i mean, why would he want to come across as a dolt?
Keep in mind that when some people do not pronounce words to another's liking that it could be because of a true speech problem. Back home, quite a few people make fun of one of our news reporters, but i know for a fact (since i went to school with him) the poor man has had speech problems all of his life. Sad that even as an adult that supposed adult people are making fun of him now.
No one should ridicule anyone who has a speech impediment. That's just creepy and rude.
That said, there are far too many people who speak poorly because of carelessness.
I'm a reasonable person. I don't expect everyone to sound like they possess a master's degree in elocution or have had training as a profession broadcaster. For pity's sake, I certainly don't sound that way when I'm just hangin' with the fam and friends. And I do really enjoy hearing regional accents and colloquialisms that make the English language stand on its head and do cartwheels.
What I don't enjoy is listening to people--especially those who really should know better--stumble and fumble through basic communication. It's one thing to be folksy and another to be ignorant.
Y'know is one of my gripes. I have listened to people use it as punctuation. They insert it every five words or so. That and whatever and whatnot and I mean. These are bad habits, plain and simple.
This isn't about stuffy correctness. It's about learning to use properly a tool that can make a big difference in your ability to get your point across clearly and without distraction. It's about setting a good example for those still learning. It's about respecting the language, your listeners, and yourself.
Thinking of language as a tool, I would have as much of a problem with a painter who didn't take proper care of his brushes or a surgeon who couldn't skillfully wield a scalpel as I do with people in positions of responsibility who don't take the time to sharpen their skills.
This doesn't malign those self-made folks who have come from humble beginnings and carry their home-grown speech with them. Most of them make no apology for their accents and regional speech, nor should they. I'm referring to people who intend to sound "proper" without taking the time or making the effort to become educated in this area.
I'm also thinking of any of us who rely on what I call filler speech (y'know, whatever, etc.) too much. I include myself because I do hear these junk phrases coming out of my own mouth now and then, and I have to make a conscious effort to stop. They're like potato chips. Feel good in the mouth, but aren't good for you (or your listeners) in quantity.
I'm guilty of sometimes saying "you know" very frequently. I don't do it on purpose, it's because of the fact that I sometimes have a fear of speaking and am nervous. Not everyone has the same innate verbal ability as others. With me, I think that I have a hard time connecting my brain to my mouth, and sometimes I'll stumble over my words, especially if I feel on the spot, such as in an oral presentation.
Specializes in ICU, Paeds ICU, Correctional, Education.
I just read an article today about how president Bush often flubs the English language, and how it's endeared him to a lot of the population. People don't see it as ignorant, they see it as "folksy", etc. They find it less threatening, and like that the person isn't "talking down to them". I suspect that's why no one yanks the reporters, etc off the air when they speak in certain ways.
I cringe when I think that proper grammar and speech is seen as intimidating by so many people, and that if someone speaks properly to them, they feel like they are being talked down to. Much less that huge sections of the population don't speak properly anyway. Education!!!!!
Language is instrumentalist to education and learning. It is the prime tool of communication. A command of the nuances of language allows precise interpretation of what is actually being conveyed. Some would expect, if not demand the most powerful man in the world to be able to communicate precisely; the very future of global diplomacy might depend on it. Last week we hosted APEC in Australia with some of the key stakeholders in the world economy. George Bush addressed it as OPEC. Freudian slip or was he dumbing down to those who thought OPEC and APEC were the same? It certainly entertained the media but I don't think it endeared him enough to get the stupid vote.
There has been a recent trend on this board that once a political dimension is added to a discussion, the thread tends to heat up and soon derails. A few have had to be closed when they lost their main purpose and morphed into pointed commentaries that belonged in the Current Events forum. To keep that from happening here, please focus on the original topic without further political reference.
There has been a recent trend on this board that once a political dimension is added to a discussion, the thread tends to heat up and soon derails. A few have had to be closed when they lost their main purpose and morphed into pointed commentaries that belonged in the Current Events forum. To keep that from happening here, please focus on the original topic without further political reference.
Thank you.
Thanks, I've noticed that too, I can't believe how easily any topic can be turned into a commentary on certain political figures by some. I totally agree and thanks for saying it.
I'm guilty of sometimes saying "you know" very frequently. I don't do it on purpose, it's because of the fact that I sometimes have a fear of speaking and am nervous. Not everyone has the same innate verbal ability as others. With me, I think that I have a hard time connecting my brain to my mouth, and sometimes I'll stumble over my words, especially if I feel on the spot, such as in an oral presentation.
Add long pauses, exasperated sighs, and a lot "Ums" to your description and that's me. I hate public speaking. :uhoh21:
pebbles, BSN, RN
490 Posts
I just read an article today about how president Bush often flubs the English language, and how it's endeared him to a lot of the population. People don't see it as ignorant, they see it as "folksy", etc. They find it less threatening, and like that the person isn't "talking down to them". I suspect that's why no one yanks the reporters, etc off the air when they speak in certain ways.
I cringe when I think that proper grammar and speech is seen as intimidating by so many people, and that if someone speaks properly to them, they feel like they are being talked down to. Much less that huge sections of the population don't speak properly anyway. Education!!!!!