What Constitutes Good Usage

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What Constitutes Good Usage

The idea of good usage can be explored in many facets. Many writers such as Dowst, Sale, Thomas and Albutt have enlightened me to their own views on what constitutes good or bad usage. The thought never occurred to me that I too am guilty in many ways of improper use of the English language, including grammar, word use, tense, structure, the list could go on. But then again what is termed good use by me may not be good to another. To me, my own personal use of language is acceptable and could probably stand some improvement. However, without learning grammar, syntax, diction, etc., I never would have been able to get to where I am now today.

According to Audre Lorde in Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches, the American norm is ìwhite, thin, male, young, heterosexual, Christian and financially secure.î This seems to be the epitome of one who has ìgood usageî of the English language. I donít see it that way. Good usage begins early in life and is a never-ending process. The population of today is becoming more diverse as ethnic groupsí population figures present and project into the near future. According to Cyndee Miller in Advertising Age, the Asian American population is the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States and is expected to reach around 15 million by early next century. To a good portion of this growing segment, English is not their first language. In fact, translating the English language into other languages loses a lot of ìformî rather than substance. Many languages do not have the same grammatical or structural form which makes it extremely difficult translating either way. So how can society judge what is good or bad use?

Usage of English language has its purpose, to convey meaning and understanding to a certain audience. But how does that affect one who does not speak or understand the language? People still communicate in their own Native tongues and have so for many years. With the globalization of many companies today, communication is very critical. Without effective communication, markets of today would be limited as there would be no exports or imports, etc.

The audience that receives the message communicated via English language plays a key factor in determining its ìproperî usage. For example, when I go back and visit my relatives, itís not important to use the ìofficialî style for particular word use.

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