Do you think that people who use slang are not as smart as people who use correct grammar at all times?

Question

Or do you believe that slang is okay if the setting permits it...like if a person is at home or at a party with old friends, slang is okay but not at work or during a public speech. ? Just curious.

Answer 1

I think it depends on where you are. When I'm working, it's all about professionalism. Of course if you just hangin wit ya peeps then it's all good. But no, if you're in a setting where you need to come across as having a brain, then you need to speak as if you have one. Your appearance as well as how you talk are going to be the first impressions people have of you. If you open your mouth and sound like you dropped out of school in 2nd grade, people will assume you don't have any education. I've been teased all through school and into adulthood for the way I talk(like a white girl) but I have a better job and am well received by certain types of people because of the way I speak. It is better to remain silent with the semblance of ignorance than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

Answer 2

I think you have a point about the setting, and the use of slang. In many instances, slang is fine and in fact can make people feel more comfortable in certain situations(Usually in a comedic way in new or tense situations.). In many work situations and in many business meetings I have seen, slang is often used and not really frowned upon unless a real boundary has been crossed. Their are a few places where slang should mostly be put aside, but it is fine if not over used in most cases. Some people definetly over use it and that can be pretty iritating, but those people are farely rare unless you live in the ghetto or work in certain tadesman environments. The use of slang has absolutely nothing to do with skill, ability, IQ or even education. I know top percentage students who use it fairly frequently, as well as established professionals young and old. People who use correct grammer at all times either read a heck of alot, or really need to relax!

Answer 3

Slang is a way of taking "artistic license" in written and spoken language. I have to do much writing and talking in my job and must be very formal and concise as do the other people where I work. However, there are times when we use slang to emphasize a point or to get it across. Slang or colloquial speech is proper if it is used in context. It is important to note that slang and bad grammar are two different things...Hope you are cool with this!

Answer 4

Everyone uses slang (smart or not so smart), it's when you should properly use it that makes or breaks you. In an office / meeting / conference / etc. then no slang should be used. Out on the street, I've heard top execs use slang and swear enough to make anyone wonder who this person really is. It's getting more and more proper to use it and it's the "norm" now.

Answer 5

Using slang in the proper setting is smart, but when I hear someone who uses proper english all the time, no matter the setting I wonder what they have jammed up their butt and how long it's been there.

Answer 6

Slang is for the streets. And no I don't think these people are very educated. It is not something they use at a party or something it is the way they talk. Somebody can not just decide to talk street talk, you got walk the walk.

Answer 7

In actual fact, it takes a lot more skill and awareness of both human nature and social mores to use adaptive speech. Rigid adherence to "correct" speech is often a defense mechanism of people who feel insecure with their social standing.

It's not only okay to relax when you're with friends and family, it's the smart thing to do :-) It shows that you're in tune with them and being considerate of their comfort and personality. Knowing when to adapt your speech and grammar to the situation is the smartest thing of all.

Answer 8

People who model their communications to match their intended audience are smarter than those who chose to speak grammatically correct all the time or those who use slang all the time....

If your intended audience is more comfortable with slang, then by using it you get their attention better......

Answer 9

Slang is mainly used in situations of comfort, so its more social than formal, hence, its use doesn't detract from the intellect of the user.

Answer 10

I think those that have a CHOICE to use it are smart, but there arer those people that only know slang and not proper english.... those peple are not smart. And you have t know when its appropriate and when its not.