Words

[The Hammer]

Have you ever analyzed your speech or writing, taken account of words you use, and then actively tried to change your language usage?

For instance, I have been replacing "God" with "Gods" when i am exasperated. And in various other places where this term crops up in colloquial language, amd my writing.

One thta I've recently noticed is using the word hate a lot in place of dislike or distaste, amd i have decided that it is better to not just through the word hate around.

We are what we speak after all, are we not? The things we say and do shape reality around us.

 

[JustGeorge]

I write better than I speak. Sometimes its difficult for me to gather my thoughts into verbal statements...

I agree, though, its good to be mindful of what we're saying, and what it means. And its good to check with others to see what they meant before angering, in case what they meant didn't come out right.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

My grammar often seems a bit disconnected, admittedly. I think in terms of many simple, parallel statements, often at once, then see what might fit with what. That makes it hard to translate onto paper. So I either end up with one or two sentences which sound terse, or blocks of text which are prone to grammatical errors.

In real life, I'm kind of quiet. And I don't get quite as nervous about how I speak, so I kind of speak like the prose to a novel - which can still be awkward since most people speak slightly more naturally in terms of language.

As for individual words and "favorite words" - sometimes I just change them up, using different words to describe the same thing.

 

[Heyo]

Have you ever analyzed your speech or writing, taken account of words you use, and then actively tried to change your language usage?

For instance, I have been replacing "God" with "Gods" when i am exasperated. And in various other places where this term crops up in colloquial language, amd my writing.

One thta I've recently noticed is using the word hate a lot in place of dislike or distaste, amd i have decided that it is better to not just through the word hate around.

We are what we speak after all, are we not? The things we say and do shape reality around us.

When I'm tired or un-concentrated I write un-reflected bull**** but as long as I'm awake (woke?), I think before I speak or write.

 

[The Hammer]

When I'm tired or un-concentrated I write un-reflected bull**** but as long as I'm awake (woke?), I think before I speak or write.

Less of a think before you speak thing, and more individual word choices. Do you say Dude too much, or Whatever? Those sorts of things. Or maybe you learned a new word and are actively using it more frequently.

 

[JustGeorge]

I say barnacle head an awful lot.

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

Less of a think before you speak thing, and more individual word choices. Do you say Dude too much, or Whatever? Those sorts of things. Or maybe you learned a new word and are actively using it more frequently.

I have to 2 versions. Shortcuts that sometimes are to short and take to much for granted as for hidden assumptions. And then to long explanations trying to cover everything, but still end up making shortcuts.
And even a dark side, where I am to dark and sarcastic.

 

[The Hammer]

I say barnacle head an awful lot.

Interesting. I know where that's from .

Has that been intentional? A way to be less vulgar perhaps? I've been trying to tone back my Sailor mouth. I have a habit of cussing in places or near people I shouldn't.

 

[JustGeorge]

Interesting. I know where that's from .

Has that been intentional? A way to be less vulgar perhaps? I've been trying to tone back my Sailor mouth. I have a habit of cussing in places or near people I shouldn't.

When someone in my immediate environment has done something inconsiderate or irresponsible, its a way to blow off steam that's nonconfrontational. No one really gets mad when you call them a barnacle head. Letting it out keeps me from stewing in it as well.

I say it in the same spirit as ol' Squidward, being surrounded by tomfoolery and nonsense and sometimes overwhelmed by it.

My whole family sounds like a bunch of sailors...(and we are, by name). Its hard because Ares truly doesn't understand the concept of 'bad word'. And then Yudhi picks up so much of Ares's speech... We're still working on which ones are 'sailor words', and we only talk like sailors at home(or so is the goal).

 

[Heyo]

Less of a think before you speak thing, and more individual word choices. Do you say Dude too much, or Whatever? Those sorts of things. Or maybe you learned a new word and are actively using it more frequently.

That's included in "thinking". Thinking not only about what to say but also how to say it (and thinking about where I am).
And in the age of culture wars it is important to do that. We are basically forced to be politically correct lest we face backlash. I try to get away without it but even I have learned to use the single "they" if I'm not sure about a gender. (Or "it" in case of unnamed gods.)

 

[Debater Slayer]

I sometimes think about my speech and word choice, but not very often because it usually comes spontaneously to me at this point. If there's an issue that I notice (whether on my own or with the help of someone else's input), I work on it. Otherwise I maintain my habits of speech that I've formed over the years, such as avoiding filler phrases and words (e.g., "like" and "you know"), reducing or avoiding swearing when speaking seriously, pausing if need be instead of using a filler (including a sound like "ah" or "hmm"), leaving brief intervals between sentences so that the other person can get a word in if they want without having to interrupt me, and not speaking fast or too slowly, among other things.

@JustGeorge has heard me in a few decently long calls, so she can give her own opinion of how I speak!

 

[JustGeorge]

I sometimes think about my speech and word choice, but not very often because it usually comes spontaneously to me at this point. If there's an issue that I notice (whether on my own or with the help of someone else's input), I work on it. Otherwise I maintain my habits of speech that I've formed over the years, such as avoiding filler phrases and words (e.g., "like" and "you know"), reducing or avoiding swearing when speaking seriously, pausing if need be instead of using a filler (including a sound like "ah" or "hmm"), leaving brief intervals between sentences so that the other person can get a word in if they want without having to interrupt me, and not speaking fast or too slowly, among other things.

@JustGeorge has heard me in a few decently long calls, so she can give her own opinion of how I speak!

You speak wonderfully, and have a pleasant voice!

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

My worst habit (and I need an editor to break me of it) is writing sentences that are far too long, usually containing more than one thought broken up into sub-phrases, and the like. Sentences like the one I just wrote, for instance. And it's not just writing -- I do that when I speak, too. Damn, if I were German, I'd have these huge long sentences and such a terrible jumble of verbs at the end nobody could ever sort it out!

 

[Debater Slayer]

You speak wonderfully, and have a pleasant voice!

Thanks!

 

[Soandso]

I think my speech and pronunciations have deffinitely changed as I get older. I tend to care less about proper pronunciation and use more colloquialisms. I'm deffinitely more mush mouthed now

 

[syo]

We are what we speak after all, are we not?

Not.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I make a conscious effort in everything I say or write to be impeccable with my word. I've made it a habit to be very intentional and aware of what words I use, their applications in my communication, and their effect on those with whom I'm communicating.

Two words I've eliminated from my vocabulary are "hate" and "try," because I've found they have little to no productive value. If you do see me use them, there is likely sarcastic or sardonic intent behind them.

ETA: I do find I change the words I use to refer to certain things as colloquialisms change, not to sound cool, but to better communicate with my audience. Sometimes I'll even do it for humor's sake, because younger people get a kick out of me, at my age, using their vocabulary. One that comes to mind was when someone told me that they would pick up and open shift, and I replied, "bet!" It solicited some laughter with that person and those who overheard, and later, people were telling others what I said, and others even laughed and asked, "did he use the word correctly?" It made work a bit more fun over a few days.

 

[fantome profane]

Actually, I use the word actually too much.

It usually doesn’t add anything of value and I think it makes me sound arrogant. I am trying to break the habit.

 

[Quintessence]

Have you ever analyzed your speech or writing, taken account of words you use, and then actively tried to change your language usage?

I dunno if I'd say "analyzed" exactly, but somewhere around in college I became aware of how significantly culture shapes use of language. We use turns of phrase because we heard them used by someone else, without actually knowing what they mean or even when we actively reject the premises upon which these phrases are predicated on. And around that time I discovered Witchcraft and Paganism were actual things, which again emphasizes the importance and power of words. Words do not just have power when uttered, they hold power over you, the speaker, if you let them pass through your pen. It's a concept that is understood in many fields, from higher education to marketing and the sciences.

I made the transition from "god" to "gods" some years ago, @The Hammer - it's one of the more interesting example of culturally-ingrained expressions that make no sense for many folks to utter but they do it anyway because it's just that common of phrase. Interestingly, I've not ever had anyone call me out on it. I like to think it's a little thing like that which reminds the masses that not everyone's a monotheist.

 

[Heyo]

It usually doesn’t add anything of value

Actually, it does. It says, in one word, that a given piece of information isn't quite right and needs clarification.

and I think it makes me sound arrogant.

That's the curse of being more intelligent and better informed than your peers.

I am trying to break the habit.

Don't. The use of "actually" can actually add a comedic element to a correction that might otherwise be seen as degrading. It depends on the delivery.