Standard English vs normal speech

[Gromit]

Hiya,

I would be grateful if you would read this link about a school in Sheffield that has banned what it calls 'slang'.

http://www.telegraph....-slang-in-school.html

I think it is idiotic and is bound to be a failure, what do you think?

Cheers,

Gromit.

[squarebear]

This cannot possibly work. Fair enough, make them use it in their school work but to enforce it in the playground is nonsensical.

[douglas9401]

Yon wifie's bletherin oot her bahookie.

[d9f1c7]

I can understand the need for the correct grammar and spelling in English classes but I think outside of that slang is inevitable. Essentially common usage makes it valid and eventually it ends up in the dictionary. I think they are making it difficult for themselves here.

[Quizmonster]

This reminds me of how, in the 20th century, Scottish schoolchildren were often actually punished for using their day-to-day dialect within school 'territory'. We all knew perfectly well when to "speak grand", as it was called, and did so. This latest ban will have about as much effect, I'd be prepared to bet, when not within staff earshot.

[NOX]

I've got no objection to having etiquette classes where understanding what is and isn't correct in formal work and social situations is taught, but this will be a total disaster, undermining kids confidence and making them feel as if their background is unsuitable in some way. Does the school really ever see the possibility of most of their kids kids saying
'Oh gosh, I'll be dashed if I haven't forgotten my cumerbund, what will people think of me, I'm quite undone!'
If they do it's probably grounds to have the head sectioned.

[maggiebee]

Whit's tha' a' aboot?? Dis she think eh cam up the Tey in a spam can?

[Sqad]

Teaching them to speak English...........for God's sake........they will be teaching them to spell next.

[AB Editor]

"One in 15 had never used the word "drat" and half of the participants did not understand the word "cad"."

I do like it when there is a punchline to Telegraph articles.

I'm quite certain that everyone is aware from quite a young age that they use different registers for different situations - such as the playground and in class. For the school to not be able to recognise this is a shock.

[sandyRoe]

Awaa or tha. Do ye think we all came up the Lagan in a bubble?

[pdust]

I can't see how they can make this work. If kids are used to speaking slang then it will continue coming out of their mouths. Im a grown up and I found it really hard to cut out slang words when talking to my husband, his friends or family as they just dont understand it.... funny when you think its because of people not from this country that i now speak better english (lol)

[vivandorron]

I always trys to speke and spel proper like in AB. :-)

Ron.

[maggiebee]

I use my spell cheque every thyme.

[boxtops]

That's daft - and cad and drat are not words people use these days, more likely the F word. Now if you could stop people peppering their conversation with that, I would be pleased! Kids (and the rest of us) use casual terms in speech, we all do it - it's knowing what is appropriate for written work and formal settings which is important.

... and yes, I am guilty of saying IMO, and TBH, in speech....

[anotheoldgit]

Excellent idea, there is far too much of this 'street cred urban slang' sometimes one thinks, one is in a different country.

uknowwaddaimean?

[Gromit]

Ta for you answers everyone.

Cheers.

[Canary42]

In my opinion the school is to be commended on its intentions but condemned on the execution.

[humbersloop]

Daft, plain daft.

; ) Can't wait for the /PC gone mad/ denunciation though...

[anotheoldgit]

/// The trust said using standard English would give its 1,100 students, who study in a working class area of Sheffield, a better chance of impressing employers at interviews. ///

After listening to some call centre operatives, it makes me wonder how they ever got the job.

[sp1814]

Canary42 -I couldn't have put it better myself!

However, as someone who has interviewed people for technical jobs, I know I have to fight my own assumptions about the way people speak. Accents to me are irrelevent, but if someone were to use slang in an interview, that (to me) is as bad as a CV with spelling or grammatical errors, or turning up for an interview wearing a grubby shirt/stained tie.

All about giving off the right first impression.

Another thing - the idea of sixth formers wearing suits is brilliant. I have a personal bugbear - young men who wear suits as if they're casual clothing (no crease down the front of trousers, untucked shir...)

Wow - I've finally turned into my own father...!

[Gromit]

I could understand this, if the aim was to make students more aware of the slang/text speak/jargon/colloqualisms they use daily. Non of those should be used in written answers to test questions, or indeed in job applications.

But that doesn't appear to be the aim. It seems to be just to bully students into behaving in a certain way and doing as they are told.

And it will never work.