Our Common Denominator Is Slipping
by Larry Turner

Years ago, there were certain common denominators among our citizens, whether they were Americans by birth or originally from a foreign country.

Some of those common features included being well spoken, again notwithstanding their country of birth. Residents from foreign countries made the effort and took the time to learn how to speak and understand English as Americans speak it.

Other common features were that the people were nicely dressed, not necessarily in expensive wear but they looked clean and neat. They were generally neighborly and, if they had children, they were good parents. That did not mean lavishing their kids with everything they wanted but being stern when it was in the best interests of the kids.

Let’s return to the first common denominator mentioned, that being well spoken. I spend an inordinate amount of time in doctors’ offices and, when I do, I cannot help but overhear conversations among staff in the lobby offices that serve as check-ins for patients. They discuss patients’ requirements but also matters of personal interest. There knowledge and use of English is at times appalling. What do you think is going to happen to their children and grandchildren?

There are a few more categories of language users that catch my attention almost on a daily basis:

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Telephone operators who can barely speak the language but who you are required to deal with on various matters from credit card issues to placing orders for ‘phone services.
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Sales personnel in retail stores who are barely aware of the basic attributes of the products they are selling and believe that obfuscation is easier than learning about them.
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Waiters in restaurants who believe that acting aloof provides them with the appearance
of professionalism regardless of the actual quality of their service.
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Unfortunately, I could continue indefinitely but there is one last category that makes my skin crawl. Entertainers, including sports figures, when permitted to carry on unrestrained by interviewers elicit a style of speech that would make the toughest language professor cringe.

The lesson is that no matter the country or region we choose to reside in, we owe the occupants of those areas a diligent effort to speak the language correctly and to bring up our children and grandchildren to emulate us. The same applies to cleanliness and dress, as well as to develop a neighborly relationship with those around us.

There’s no time like the present to get started.