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Language in Schools No Longer Foreign
Posted by: Haley York
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 9:30 AM
Want to know something else that is ridiculous in today's schools? The amount of Language. No, not foreign, unless you use the term "excuse my French" but very few people take the time to throw that in there. If someone where to walk around school and "bleep" out every single cussword, the school would sound worse than the latest rap CD. We know where they learn the stuff- CD's, their parents, movies, etc. But what makes them think that it is socially permissible to use these words in public, let alone schools??? What makes these individuals think these words are necessary??Not too long ago (last school year actually) there was a club at Centennial called One Voice, which was, in its basics, and anti-cussing club. They promoted the idea that while people cannot control one another's voice, they can control their own. The club had wristbands, t-shirts, a school sponsor (who actually created the club: Mrs. Wyatt, the unique Centennial choir director, a very energetic lady who does nothing if not care and protect her students. This woman goes out of her way to help make school attractive for those students who really don't care.), and even went on TV and the radio. Other schools called Mrs. Wyatt to see if she would promote One Voice in their schools, which she did. Sounds great, right? Centennial has 1500 students. Maybe 150 joined. While that is a large amount for a single club, that leaves over 1100 students who are not affiliated with the club, over half of them who seriously disliked the club, cussing and insulting those who wore the armbands, or just exhibiting extremely rude behavior around them. A group of students even went so far as to create an anti-One Voice group, making an acronym of A double S holes, and creating a Facebook group. (These days, Facebook goes far.)
For reasons I am not aware of, One Voice was discontinued, and I haven't heard mention of it since. But the language continues, and not just behind teachers backs. You have to give the teachers some credit though, because after all this time, creating trouble do to a little language just isn't worth it to them anymore. It's not as if they can just give the students a discipline referral and leave it at that, because the amount of attitude they will receive from the student before they resort to calling the Dean eats up classtime faster than football players on a Friday night.
I don't know how many of you have kids, but if you do, you probaly have seen something of the show Spongebob. In one particular episode, Patrick introduces Spongebob to the concept of 'sentence-enhancers,' special words that tingle in your mouth and make your sentence sound more intelligent. Patrick explains that you sprinkle them on your sentence, and voila, you sound smart! Before you panick and run to your television to shut it off, wait. The words are goof y undersea noises, not actual cusswords, and the end of the show proves to Spongebob that 'sentence-enhancers' are bad, due to the punishment handed out by the motherly crab.
If these truly are word enhancers, students must like spicy food, because they spice up their sentences so much there isn't much of a sentence any more. Honestly, I have heard sentences of nothing but cuss words, with nothing to give any hint as to what the person is complaining of. Girls call each other names their mothers would slap them for, only to laugh, while others get affronted and sometimes to slap each other for it. Guys call girls names behind their backs, while describing them as an easy s___, (You fill in the blank). It is astounding. No wonder ACT scores and PSAT scores are so low - if they included vocab like this, we would have kids scoring 30 or higher left and right! I learned a new word last week that I never knew the meaning of, and wish I hadn't heard, because now it is like the number 23 - I hear it everywhere!
What can be done about this? Some students just don't want to hear it, but it's inescapable. If a students does ask another student to stop, they will get cussed at, yelled at, and verbally attacked from more than one source, due to the 'posse' of friends the individual has supporting him or her. Teachers can't stop every student who utters a word, there isn't enough time in the day, or headache medicine in the stores. I am well aware that in the 'real world' we have to deal with it every day, but this is a place of education, somewhere that is supposed to be conducive to learning, and not every student wants to learn how to go to jail. I really have no solution to this mess.
Comments
As a former UHS student I remember feeling very awkward about the language situation during my middle and high school years. My parents were very adamant about what 'sentence-enhancers' were used, but honestly it did not stop my sisters, friends nor I during those years, away from our parents eagle ears. But, I have noticed that ever since I graduated, three years ago, the language isn't as prevalent. Perhaps those of us that are serious about our future on the academic level subconsciously realized that no one will take us seriously if we sound so rough all the time. Then again, this language also represents the culture of different societies or stereotypes, within the overall culture of the United States. I, for example, use different words and language when I am with different groups of people, such as my classmates, family and friends. It's not that I do not feel comfortable cursing; it's more of a question of when is it appropriate. As a Student, I don't find it appropriate in the classroom, term papers or homework. As a family member, I don't find it appropriate around my family and future family. As a friend, as long as no one is offended, I don't really care.(there are other situations I dont feel comfortable about it too) I understand where you are coming from with your frustration, but I will also say (no offence intended at all, I must stress) that you are very naive at this point in your life. From my own experience, high school was a box, just a slice of a very small piece of society. It wasn't until I graduated and went away for college that I started to realize that things like language in society are so miniscule compared to other issues going on in society. If being called a b**** or a wh***, sl**... etc... Is the worst thing that has or will ever happen to me, its no big deal, because I know it's not true. I may feel dirty, or bad about myself, but at least I have a roof over my head, food to eat, a job, a mass amount of people that love and care about me and my health. That is alot more then most people have. I applaud your efforts for trying to find a solution to something you care so passionately about, but keep in mind, does the use language really send people to jail? Or does the restriction of language cause more problems? Yes, the battle starts at home, as for the other issues, do we really want to become a 1984 society? How boring it would be if everyone was prim and proper...
(I truly enjoyed your article)
Posted by eemmlette on February 19, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Hmmm... you tread very dangerous waters when you speak of limiting speech...
Google Carlin's "seven dirty words" and you'll find both a youtube link as well as a transcript that should be mandatory reading for Freshman English.
The pointlessness of labeling certain words as dirty is summed up by the line in his closing that "you can prick your finger, but don't finger your pr*ck." Bad words? No. Bad ideas, Bad intent - yes.
Now if you want to tackle it from a name-calling/respect issue, then I've got your back there -- I had a good friend that could cut a person to the quick (and make everyone around bust a gut laughing) without ever using a "dirty word".
Posted by dw on May 19, 2008 at 5:10 PM
