Let’s express ourselves more intelligently

When I listen to people around me, I wonder what’s happening to the English language. Are we becoming an illiterate nation? So many people seem to have a problem with word selection. No, these aren’t all uneducated people. Many have certificates, diplomas and degrees proclaiming that they do, indeed, have a formal education of some kind. So why is it that so many have trouble finding the right words to express themselves?

For a lot of people the F-word dominates their speech. They use it as a noun, an adjective, an adverb and a verb. For so many it seems to be the only adverb they know. Now, I’m not necessarily all that prim and proper all the time. Yes, I have used that word on occasion and still sometimes resort to it. I do manage, though, to get through most days without doing so. For those who don’t know very many descriptive words, I suggest getting familiar with some.

Ron Flowers

Elk Grove Village