CHALK TALK: Choosing one’s words carefully

Language is important. Even in today’s age of instantaneous communication, choosing one’s words should take time and effort. I teach high school English, and over the past few weeks, I’ve talked with students numerous times about their language. Granted they are high schoolers and sometimes use language as a way to shock adults. That’s what teenagers do. They’re just pushing boundaries and limits. But, I’m a teacher, and for over twenty years, I’ve corrected language and grammar.

They roll their eyes when I ask them to use “may I” rather than “can I”. They sigh when I ask them to repeat questions for clarity, or take out their ear buds when addressing me. I cringe when I hear myself – I feel so old. I act so old, but I want our students to be prepared for their future.

I tell them that others will judge them depending on which language they choose to use, in the same way that they will be judged by how they dress and act. Although this is the last thing a sophomore is concerned about, they need to know that if they choose to use inappropriate language during an interview they most likely will be shown the door rather than starting a new job. Maybe I’ve become that old fuddy-duddy English teacher but I want better for our students.

I’ve talked with them about the difference between formal and informal language. I’ve never really needed to spend much time on word choice especially when pertaining to oral language, and while I don’t mean this politically, I must admit that our current president isn’t helping with his loaded Twitter posts. Our kids model what they see and hear, and when our leaders are abusive and crude, it starts to become our societal new normal. My concern is that informal and inappropriate language is so much more pervasive now than five years ago, than ten years ago, and certainly twenty plus years ago when I first started teaching – in the cold dawn before smartphones.

Language is important. Choosing one’s words should take time and effort.

Jill Showman is an English teacher at Wasilla High School.