response peice

Stephen fry published a article in 2008 called “Don’t mind your language”,  I strongly agree with Mr fry that more anglophones should enjoy language for instance dance and music are thoroughly enjoyed in this day and age but language is not, children do not fully understand the uses of language until they go into vast detail in later age and education. No child is made to read a dictionary as a reading book in the early years to make them able to use new words. To be able to understand language and then using it is two very different things. Language is something that we are open to from before we can remember. As soon as we enter the world as babies we are exposed to all kinds of language; whether it be English, bi-lingual parental speaking, cursing etc. How does this mean that we do not “enjoy” language? Are there more useful or extravagant words that we need to be using in everyday vocabulary to show we enjoy it? No. Language is used for so many things in our lives. Before I leave for school every morning, my mum tells me she loves me and to watch the traffic when I cross the road. This use of language is loving and warming and sets my day in the right direction. Who says intellectual words are needed to be used in simple situations just to prove that we do appreciate the fact we are anglophone. He used this statement at the very start of his article to show that he felt this was the most important part he needed to get across; I disagree with this statement. His uses language in an intimidating way to question if me, myself enjoys language. He draws you in and makes you stop and think… Do I really enjoy language

I also agree with Mr Fry that not all  people have the same extent of understanding as one another , and this may not be their fault. Situations in life can mean that some people aren’t brought up around books or other people and cannot possibly have a wider range of understanding as it isn’t in reach. This can of course be looked at from an outsiders view and see that these people only use simple language but is all they know, so to them they are successful in their eyes. This can also be shown in different kinds of upbringings. In my generation it is true that many people who use a wider range of words when speaking are seen as “posh” or “too smart for their own good”. This is because everyone is different, starting school is like being thrown into a lucky dip of people not knowing who’s who and where we all come from. Very often people disapprove of things they don’t understand. Someone who is mocked in a south London school for the way they speak, would be the one mocking another if they were from a school in a different area. There is no right or wrong, just difference of opinion. As the future unravels it is shown that language that is seen to be correct is becoming less and less relevant to the present.

“If you don’t like nouns becoming verbs, then for heaven’s sake avoid Shakespeare” i totally disagree with the fact that people should  stir away from Shakespeare because they do not enjoy the way he uses language and changes it for his perspective and meaning, I believe no matter what you should explore things that are not at first appealing to you because it allows you to evolve and change your view on language and then in turn maybe change it to your perspective and impact language yourself.

To conclude, language is something that will always be apart of the human race and will continue to evolve just like everything else.