What Did They Say ?

We seem to have forgotten how to use our language. I do not claim to be the person who knows it all about the content or structure of our language but I do know some things and I know what sounds proper. It may be that we are seeing more influence of other languages. It may be that we are folding to the pressure of those who are just learning the language and try to put the words into a structure that they feel more comfortable using. All of this having been said, it does not cover those who presumably have been educated in the use of the English language all of their lives and yet make these very apparent errors. A couple of the examples that I have seen over the last few years are so apparent that you wonder why no one else notices or says anything to the people doing this to the language. I have heard several people use these words in strange sounding sentences.

1. Appreciate. “I would like to appreciate the following people for your work.” Would it not show more of a sense of appreciation if the person said: “I would like to show my appreciation to the following people for their work effort?” It would take a couple of more words, but it also shows that they do appreciate that persons work and want to show them that they are not just saying something but do feel that the person deserves the recognition.
2. Disrespect. “You disrespected me.” I find this all very disconcerting. It would be not just correct but also would show much more of an understanding of the people around you if the sentence came out as ”you are not showing any respect for me.” Or “What you said is disrespectful” If you say something about a person that is disrespect. If you make a comment about what the person is doing shouldn’t it at least sound like you really do know what you are talking about?
3. Ingenious. I have heard several people use this term and I am sure that it is usually used just to sound fancy and that no one really does know what it means and that we just suspect that the person saying it actually knows its meaning.

When you use the language in a way that sounds as if you are not in command of its use you are lessening its impact on the listener. It also makes you sound ignorant. The problem becomes one of you not knowing how to properly show the position that you want to take. In some languages it could be as simple as the gender influence on some words. This can turn a complement into a disrespectful statement. We do all need to watch not just what we say but how we say it.