Language

English, it is said, may be the most difficult language to master. Most of us come to it by birth and thereby learn to communicate “fairly” clearly with one another. We would probably have learned to speak several languages if we had been born in Europe, for example. And, while several languages are similar, learning to communicate with others who speak different languages, is a struggle, but a noble venture.

“Americanese,” is a word sometimes used for the corruption that has occurred in traditional English. Slang, cursing, mispronunciations, poor grammar, and garbled words are much more common in the 21st Century (thank you, public education) than they were in the 20th.

Yesterday’s news holds forth a good example. A couple, with at least one small child (some reports spoke of “children”), was approached by Police Officers after a reported shop-lifting incident. As usual in today’s society, circumstances got nasty. It would appear from the outrage that “we” (whoever that is) don’t want our Police Officers to speak the way millions of Americans do, regularly, in public, in movies and TV, in writings, and in general conversation. It is acceptable (by many) for the filthy language of  ordinary citizens, and non-citizens, to be  used when that conversation is reversed, but God forbid that the Officer should join their lead, or avoid using such terms as “sir,” “young lady,” “madam,”  “gentleman” (as in: “sir, as a gentleman, I’m sure that you are willing to put down that weapon and sit down for a brief conversation with us regarding our possibly mistaken belief that you are a person of interest regarding a triple homicide”), please and thank you.

Police Officers should use only language that is acceptable to a significant segment of American society, who don’t speak as if  foul (nasty, degrading, uncouth, and offensive) language is acceptable. It isn’t. Neither should any American citizen, or non-citizen speak any words considered to be foul or disrespectful toward those men and women whose life, at any moment,  may be “on the line” in today’s fractured society.

Scripture is clear that “no corrupt communication” is to be used (see Ephesians 4:29) by Believers. Lloveletters suggests that should apply to every person engaged in conversation with another person, even those who are yet to come to Faith in Christ.

Having a “foul mouth” is a clear sign of ignorance, disrespect for others, and often, intimidation, as well as an affront to God Himself.

Stop that!!