America's youth, many students, and some adults speak less english than the immigrants...This is not making sense to me. We are in our own country, and we can't speak OUR language *yuck* ♥Andrew Underwood♥
♥13 years old Jacksonville Florida♥
2006-11-01 08:35:43 · 13 answers · asked by Anderwood 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
A person will use only the words which he's heard before. The good folks on television don't use a full vocabulary, so it's no wonder you're not hearing your peers use a full range of words.
To a certain extent we'll augment our vocabulary with what we read from books. Tell me, do you think your peers are reading a lot of books?
2006-11-01 08:39:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have to disagree with you to a certain extent. You need to take the lifestyle, age, education level, and culture of those you communicate with into consideration. How we speak to our peers, friends, or others on a casual level is far different from how we speak in a more formal setting where proper language usage is more appropriate.
There are vast number of intelligent people in the Unites States, of all ages. If you feel your current peer group/friends do not meet your expectations, then perhaps it would behoove you to look for new ones who do. Otherwise, take it upon yourself to educate them.
It can also be noted, immigrants who do actually speak English, learn proper English. They are not subject to the various dialects and slang that American nationals are subject to. For this is how all people speak the world over, as you've so poignantly pointed out with your use of the word "yuck."
If you're curious about the English language, its development, usage, and various dialects, might I suggest you read the book "The Mother Tongue" by Bill Bryson. It may give you a different perspective.
2006-11-01 08:57:14 · answer #2 · answered by just_me3575 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I assume you mean why DO AMERICANS have such a small vocab?
It's pretty simple. We don't read enough. If we spent more time at the library and less playing with our X-Boxes, we would learn to love and appreciate languages more.
It doesn't help that Florida isn't exactly an educational mecca - I heard a resident describe the state as "Flori-DUH"! :)
Good question Andrew.
2006-11-01 08:47:12 · answer #3 · answered by whabtbob 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Schools have cut budgets so much that there isn't any money left for education. They can't afford books or extracurricular activities. Public schools are not that great. My son goes to a Christian Private school where they teach him everything. He takes Spanish and band. It is a well rounded school. However, my other child has to go to speech therapy and the private school does not offer this. His public school is wasting money on cable in the classroom. Every classroom has cable but they are not allowed to watch the t.v.'s. Explain this one. That money could be put to better use.
2006-11-01 08:42:18 · answer #4 · answered by Jules 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear Andrew: My congratulations for having the courage to admit it, and the mental capacity to see it. There is hope for you.
I believe that you are above the mere mortals of this country, but I sincerely regret not being able to answer your question, because my answer, no matter how I present it, it still would be offensive.
My advice is: study very hard and be an outstanding man, maybe a scientist
2006-11-01 12:47:02 · answer #5 · answered by Dios es amor 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do you realize that America has borrowed so many terms, words, and slang from other cultures? Read more, Twain even used regionalisms in his books. Read Hemmingway. Expand your vocabulary and you won't be one of the people you don't like.
2006-11-01 09:07:42 · answer #6 · answered by chefgrille 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're in Florida. Florida has horrid school systems. You're looking at a worst case scenario.
2006-11-01 08:45:14 · answer #7 · answered by novangelis 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Your English sucks.
2006-11-01 08:39:00 · answer #8 · answered by KT 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
well, i could put in to use equisite diction, or i could talk simpler and save the larger and more sophisticated words for writing or talking fancy.
2006-11-01 08:38:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
You're WAY too young to be in Yahoo! Answers. Go back to school.......
2006-11-01 08:38:23 · answer #10 · answered by TPCAN 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋