We’ve developed lazy speech

Dear Editor:

At some time in our lives we were cautioned as to how to pronounce and enunciate clearly. The then reference to the Queen’s English was somewhat in vogue. How many times did we hear that as a reference? I lost count a long time ago. How about you?

The days of correctness in grammar and speech seem to have gone by the wayside as much of what was taught as grammar years ago is no more. As a result, we now seemed to have developed what might be termed as “lazy speech.”

Most of us have been caught up in the aspect of “lazy speech”. We may or may not be aware of it. It is particularly noticeable in television media. These people are trained, seasoned and dedicated to their jobs. Yet they are some of the worst offenders.

Let’s look at a few blatant lazy speech examples. I am only listing a few here. You might well have your own list. Check the following:

A couple of----in lazy speech identifies as “cupola”

Behind--- “Bahind”

Yes--- “Yah”

Vancouver--- “Vangcouver” February---“Febuary” Coupons---“Cuepons”

Going to---“Gunna” Should/would/could have--- “Should/ would/could of

You might be thinking, “what difference does it make how we speak or use our language?” For the most part, it wouldn’t seem to matter. However, in many other languages, there is little or no allowance for lazy speaking and word use. As people from other countries settle in Canada and gradually learn English, how will they know what’s right or wrong if many of us don’t seem to.

After all, who said that “ain’t, ain’t a word!”

Ron Barillaro Penticton