Language is what it is - a needed part of societal growth

I’m a word guy, and subsequently, a language guy.

Arguably, language is the greatest invention man has ever produced. We wouldn’t be here without it, written or spoken.

I’ve recently dusted off a set of language discs I hope will help me learn enough Spanish to get around and into trouble — and out of it — on my fifth mission trip to Guatemala this summer. Listening to the introduction, the narrator made the statement that most experts consider the spoken word language more so than the written.

We learn most from the spoken word, and we use it more than the written to conduct our daily affairs, so that makes some sense. So as a word guy, a language guy, maybe I pay more attention to what people say, literally.

I listen in an observational way in the same manner that the late, great comedian George Carlin used to do with people’s mannerisms and actions. Which often leaves me intrigued, and even more often asking questions.

For instance, the phrase “Have a good one.” I understand the feeling being conveyed here in so many words. It’s the modern equivalent of “Have a good day,” or “Have a good weekend.”

But what I hear and focus on is “one.” Have a good one? Well, thanks, but just one? Can’t I have more; say three or four, especially if the weekend is coming?

And, if I have a “good one,” is that it? A one-and-done-good-one and the rest is all bad? No thanks.

Here’s another, “Well, that’s what they say.” Who says? Who are they? What makes them so important as to be the arbiters of social function? Why do I care?

“It is what it is.” Really? What if it isn’t?

This one is archaic, but interesting, “It’s more fun than a barrel full of monkeys.” A 55-gallon container packed with furry, smelly, loud, long-limbed primates is not my idea of fun, but I guess that’s the point. But it’s still a weird association.

This one I have just recently noticed, so maybe I’m on the cutting edge of language critique. It’s always spoken by a cashier, generally at a supermarket but the other night by the person handing me four tacos at Senõr Froggy.

“That’s $10.95 for you.” Really? For me! How cool is that! Not only did I get four tacos and a small Mexi-tot, but I got $10.95 as well!

Gotta love a business that gives you the product you want, and pays you for it too.

I realize what is being said. But, why not just say it?

There are other things about language I find interesting. There are elements that are definitely gender specific, by which I mean you would only hear one gender — usually — speaking it.

For instance, women give each other comments about any number of things. “Your hair looks cute.”

Guaranteed, if a guy tried to tell another guy that, he’d get punched — for starters.

“You go girl!” You go boy? Nope!

“Honey.” OK, we guys have an equivalent — dude.

I’m not belittling anybody who commonly uses these phrases or words nor am I urging you to stop. It’s language, and language should be constantly evolving and changing as the society it reflects changes.

Otherwise, it’s a dead language. This change can drive some people crazy, and I mean crazy as in crazy mad. That’s because as words change, sometimes their acceptability in society is no longer valid.

That’s somewhat of the essence of political correctness. Really, it’s evolution, and that also scares people, because if you can’t evolve, or won’t evolve, you might cease to lose function, usefulness and identity.

OK, I make an except here for Sarah Palin. That’s not evolution. That’s de-evolution.

Actually in her case, it’s murder. She’s killing coherent sentence structure and good word usage.

So don’t be scared by language change. Play along with it, have fun with it — at least as long as you don’t make fun of the individual or group of individuals it might encompass.

After all, it is what it is, even if it isn’t.

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].