Whether it be competition shows like The Biggest Loser and America’s Got Talent or brain-dead shows like the Real Housewives installments or the Kardashians shows; one thing we can likely agree upon is that reality TV is omnipresent and unavoidable.
For TV purposes, ‘reality’ ostensibly means ‘scriptless.’ Sure there are money-shot moments that directors expect to get on tape and there may even be a loose narrative; like affluent women crying about…well, nothing really. But what ‘scriptless’ really means is that there’s nary a creative writer aboard the production team. There is no eloquently dreamt-up narrative, or heroically brilliant fictional characters.
This void of an imaginative spirit is the very reason why reality TV is ruining the English language. No one is telling these humanoids what to say, when to say it, and most importantly…how to say it. So now, what comes out of the oven is not a beautifully cooked loaf of artful intelligence; it’s unmistakable chunks of stupidity with remnants of idiotic fat content.
For the sake of example, I’m going to pick on the Kardashians – they won’t mind the attention. The family is popular for a whole lot of reasons; here’s none of them: depth-of-vocabulary assets, scientific eureka moments, or positively influencing mankind. There are plenty of words and phrases that the girls abuse – which are mostly incorrect uses – but I chose to highlight a few that are most bothersome to me.
Plus, they talk like robots, and that’s even more disappointing because all the robots I know have a wonderfully extensive vocabulary.
You’re probably wondering why I watch the show at all. Let me share a saying that I have: you must know what’s bad to know what’s good. And, simply put: creativity is fueled by inspiration; inspiration to join, shift or change a movement oftentimes. I can’t help but take severe umbrage when hearing adults (admired and entitled nonetheless) struggle to formulate sentences that are taught in elementary school.
Ultimately, we should view the English language like we do technology – some things are just too archaic to remain present and effective. We have a vast ocean of expressive and descriptive words at our disposal. Charter a cerebral schooner – Webster would appreciate it.
Listed in order of annoyance – and dismissive of the fact that they use all these words in the same sentence.
1) Literally
Potential Kardashian usage: “I was literally balling my eyes out because somebody has the vanity license plate I wanted.”
This is the biggest offender to the English language. Way too many people use it as an attention-grabber when storytelling. You only need to specify you’re speaking ‘literally’ if your audience may possibly think of your comment in a figurative sense; not if your remark is clearly absurd and narcissistic drivel. However, it’d be cool to see their eyes pop out so they can watch their lives from our point of view.
2) Honestly
Potential Kardashian usage: “I honestly think that outfit looks cute on you (even though it would look better on me).”
This word is – most times – being confused with “sincerely.” The two words aren’t fungible. Girls say “honestly” with the intent of being sincere to not sound as jealous as they sincerely appear. Unless you’re a habitual and delusional liar, you needn’t preface 90% of your social confessions with this word.
3) Seriously
Potential Kardashian usage: “We seriously need to just tan our worries away at the beach.”
Again, unless your audience may think you’re aspiring to be a comedian or that your reason for being famous is a cruel joke on the universe of creative souls, you needn’t specify the seriousness of such mundane monologues.
4) Like
Potential Kardashian usage: “God, that nudie-booty photo shoot made me so…like, tired.”
This is usually a word to bridge a comparison to something else, or to express an affinity for something affable, perhaps. Somewhere along the way it turned into a ‘pause’ word for people, not just girls. But ponder this, when the hell did articulation become a television novelty? This show isn’t “like, dumb.” It simply is “dumb.”
5) So Excited
Potential Kardashian usage: “I’m so excited for the Kardashain Kollection to hit every Sears in Somalia.”
The word ‘so’ has become a prefix to many simplistic words to give emphasis and embellishment. Here’s a list of words to use instead of the phrase above: elated, enthused, stoked, thrilled, pumped, looking forward. Or, just find your own. Patronize your local thesaurus.
Oh....BTW, hat pins are out. Lol
Good grief.
The English language is complex because of spelling and double meaning for the same word. Now in the electronic world, new words are endless.
* "Writing will be the death of thinking and debate." ~ Socrates (mid 400's BC) * In the 15th century, people thought that the printing press would be the death of writing. * "Abundance of books will be the death of scholarly writing." ~ Conrad Gessner (1550's) * At one point, people predicted that newspapers would be the death of social interaction. * Compulsory school would lead to the death of natural mental development of children. * The typewriter would bring the death of handwriting. * The radio would kill concentration, attention, & proper sleep. (1920's & 1930's) * Television threatened proper cognitive development in children (1950's & 1960's) There are MANY more examples here in Anthony's handouts: http://www.neotechconference.org/uploads/2012-handouts/C-1_OMG_I_CNT_BLIEV_IN_SKUL_/omg_i_cnt_bliev_we_r_really_gttng_2_do_ths_in_skul_NEOTech2012.pdf But the gist is this: every time a new technology comes out, there is a hue and cry about how it heralds the death of something else, but for the most part that does NOT hold true. English is and continues to be the dominant language of the world. Millions are and will continue to be proficient at it. Texting won't change this just like shorthand didn't change it!
I think it's appalling to omit that from school agendas. What will be the next elimination....school books, which is already happening. Kids can't think on their own, ie, calculators,PC's,etc. I believe in progress but not teach with the basic fundamentals is absurd! I have an iPad and computer, but when I want to read, I pick up a real BOOK.
If kids can't think on their own, it is NOT the fault of the tools they are using! You can't use a calculator without knowing the math behind it because you wouldn't know what to enter on it! And frankly, I'd rather a kid pick up an iPad to read than to not read at all. To me, the medium is irrelevant and in many cases, the electronic media provides rich links right within the text that really enhance learning. Kids' spines and bodies are suffering from the excessive weight of all the textbooks they have to lug around, so I'd LOVE to see schools implement one device containing hyperlinked e-books for all their subjects (which will also be more up-to-date than physical textbooks could be). As for cursive, I actually wish schools would stop teaching it. You have no idea how much time is spent on cursive which could be better spent on more relevant topics. It takes a good 1.5 school years or more for kids to get it down. Teach them their signatures and how to read cursive and be done with it! Perhaps teach it as an art unit, but once I learned cursive I never used it and no one I know (except my mom) uses it, either. (I am 42 years old). Finally, even though it feels like this "electronic age" has come around quickly, I have been using computers for over 30 years, so these tools are not as new as you might think!
I'm sorry you thought my explanation was too lengthy. I took the time to type it out and provide a link because you asked me for a longer explanation and suggested that "language and constructive discussion techniques" were degrading, then told Joe that this area "deserved to be intelligently explored."
I guess I'm from another generation. I love to write,read a book,etc. I also am up with all electronic devices. I guess I have the best of both worlds. I agree to have kids read e-books compared to not at all. But I differ with you about cursive. Have a good evening, Debbie.
I guess with all the shortages in funds and failed levies, subjects are being cut from the program. Maybe they should have it for an art class, but I don't agree. Have a good evening.