Are people losing the ability to speak the Queen's English?

Question

In England, I'm noticing more and more that people have trouble talking correctly. Phrases like 'I ain't done nothing' and using 'ain't' instead of 'haven't' and slang such as 'innit' makes my skin crawl. Is the English language getting worse? Am I just a snob, or does this irriate other people?

I realise I spelt 'irritate' incorrectly! So much for me being on my high horse about language!

Just to point out, I'm a teenager, not some O.A.P complaining about how language has gone downhill since their day. I think the way many of my peers talk is horrifying.

Answer 1

One of the beautiful things about language is it changes constantly. Just get use to it. Language is meant to evolve as cultures and backgrounds merge. It's a good thing even if it is colloquial. Most people know how to use formal diction when necessary.

Answer 2

Sorry, but I do think you're getting a little snob, here. Languages evolve, and there is nothing whatsoever to tell you that "I haven't done anything" is any better than "I ain't done nothing". Both convey a clear meaning. Both "say" the same, so both are good enough. Of course there are the damned grammar rules, but those change with time. Two hundred years ago, your way of speaking would have sounded just as weird for those people as "I ain't done nothing" sounds to you.

But then again, if you're a little snobberish it ain't (oops, sorry: it isn't) your fault. You've been raised in a culture (we all have) where people who don't adjust to the norms are despised, and so are their practices. This applies to speakers who don't stick to grammar rules, just as much as to those whose religion is not the one predominant in the country, or to gays, or even to left-handers. So, I think your snobbery is cultural, and all you can do is fight it.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Your misspelling here ("irriate" for "irritate") teaches you a lesson. When we speak, we focus on content, we try to say what we want, and we don't really care much about the way we do it (not at least, if you're using your native language). So, we're only interested in communicating. If another person makes a critical comment about the "form" of the message, that usually comes out as a bad thing. To begin with, it shows this person was not really so interested in your message, as he was in the way you were speaking. He seems to have been ready to jump to your neck, the very minute you made a "mistake". If you really care for the content of people's messages (rather than in the form) then you shouldn't even realise it if there are minor mistakes in the form. I, for one, hadn't noticed your misspelling, until you mentioned it. Of course, there is an exception to this. If the form of the message is so different from what is considered to be the norm, that you REALLY cannot understand it, then it's okay to complain. But you must really not be ABLE to understand. It doesn't count if you give up after the first "ain't". Because you know what "ain't" means.

Answer 3

I never acquired it, so I'm speaking on the other side of the fence - sometimes I tend to treat the English language like an ugly step child. I think people don't care anymore because the queen's language were used to separate the classes in the past. Royalty,servants and peasants had their own way of communication and slang. Now, it's very difficult to tell class anymore based on communication and dress. It's much like traditional dinning etiquette where no one seem to care if you use the salad fork for the main course, place your elbows on the table or talk on a cell phone at the table.

I don't think you're being a snob at all. You have a social standard in communication which is something to be proud of. Yet, if you're one of those people who must have every conversation with you be grammatical correct then I'd find you very tiresome and boring. No insult but I favor an easy flow of conversation and adapt easilly to the way another person speaks. Sad to say but this world is becoming more casual everyday to the point of rudeness sometimes. It's for you to say what you can or not tolerate.

Answer 4

English is a constantly evolving language. Actual Formal English is a lot more formal than the expressions you listed.

There are six types of English: Formal Proper, Formal, Informal Proper, Informal, Colloquial, and Slang

Unfortunately, society feels it is acceptable to use Informal English with allows the lines between Colloquial and Slang to diminish.

I can't say that I get irritated as long as I understand what the other person is trying to say, however, I do believe there it shows a lot of class when people can utilize formal proper English in everyday language.

Occasionally, I will take Formal English at school to brush up on and learn about new acceptable usages.

Answer 5

A real good question, I'm so glad someone else on this planet has noticed, although I am Irish I schooled in UK for some time, and when you see the programs on TV by such companies as BBC the English spoken is absolutely appaling, Ireland speaks far better English than the UK residents, and who would have thought that would be an eventuality years ago.
Sorry Lizzie! there's always one exception!

Answer 6

All languages evolve over time. At present, most of the population of the world is very young, and their language is waaaay different from the real or proper language. As you can see i haven't mention the word 'English', and that's because this applies to all languages. Of course some languages evolve faster than other, and I think English is the fastest since it is used by teenagers all over the world, who listen to... songs written in slang. Now, most teenagers refuse to speak proper English because they are not supposed to be 'nerds', and also to be able to communicate just among themselves so adults cannot understand very well what they are saying.

Answer 7

The English language is a living language. This means it is constantly changing. Unlike Latin, a dead language, the English language is fluctuating. I disdain the change as well. I don't claim to have a great command of the English language but it is critical that we are able to communicate effectively. Now the gang slang has become popular among the youth and this is encouraging greater change. What bothers me the most about this trend is the shame placed on people who want to learn, who make good grades, who act intelligent. It is a curse here in America and it sounds as though it has reached across the pond through the arts of music and movies, through culture. It makes it very difficult to find qualified people to hire as well. Its not just the language either, its courtesy, its work ethic, pht, its ethics in general.

Answer 8

Yes, it annoys me enormously, particularly misuse of the word "literally". Just the other day in my local Post Office I saw a poster saying "You can pay your electric bill here". If I got an electric bill I wouldn't know where to plug it in. I would much prefer to pay my electricity bill at the Post Office.

I suppose there are those who would say that language naturally develops and evolves, and this is the process by which it does it. Personally I think it just smacks of pig ignorance. I am enough of a snob to judge people on their use of language, spelling and punctuation - I see it as an indicator of intelligence.

Answer 9

A teenager? And yes, it is in decline over here in America as well -- Oh, not that we speak anything akin to Queen's English... but, more and more people are using double negatives and ain't and all sorts of other words previously consider to violate the rules of grammar. And, you are proabally a snob too :p

Answer 10

Your not a snob my friend, but you need to move on with the times..

English is a progressive language, and like many progressions, some we will like and approve of, some we won't, but there is nothing we can do to change it!! Innit, aint it, whotever!! are all words that are here to stay, and there will be more to come, as sure as eggs is eggs.

God bless my friend.. one is truely a Brit...xx

Answer 11

ENGLISH IS A BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE AND NO DOUBT, SHOULD BE SPOKEN,READ AND WRITTEN IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM.Unfortunately it has been spoilt by people like us (people from ex English colonies)and the Americans are the biggest culprits.There seems laxity on part of UK also.I was surprised to see some British nationals who did not know simple English.It is one language which is spoken all over the world.