Oky Dokey In English Language
The question reminded me of a short conversation I had with my students two years ago. During a small group instruction, I used the expression “Okey Dokey” and to my astonishment, the four-grade students began to laugh and repeat “Okey Dokey” with amusement. I asked them why they were laughing and they responded that the expression “Okey Dokey” was old fashioned and it sounded very funny to them. I was very surprised, I did not think I was so old, but decided not to use it again. However, that was not the end of my language bloopers. One day I used the expression “It’s a pity” and my colleagues did not know what I meant. I was not quite sure if that expression is used only in England (I studied British English) and people simply did not know the word. However, after some time, someone told me that “It’s a pity” is slightly old-fashioned and the more appropriate expression would be “It’s a shame” (which does not make sense to me, because in GB shame is used to describe dishonor or disgrace, at least it was, 15 years ago when I completed my
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three years ago, it was very difficult for me to understand the language used by a young generation at the beginning. However, I did not have any problems with understanding the speech of old people and educators. I think, it was caused by the fact that they use correct English (in most cases), speak more clearly, and their language does not contain as many slang words and neologisms as the language of young generation. I also do not think it is something wrong with the language of young people unless it modifies and evolves as they grow older (that happened with my Polish language). I do think it is a problem that many adults do not care about the language: they break established patterns, are careless and lazy to check e.g. the grammar, not to mention that many treat you as you were an alien when you try to use Future in the Past Perfect Tense or a correct expression: “I wish it were you
three years ago, it was very difficult for me to understand the language used by a young generation at the beginning. However, I did not have any problems with understanding the speech of old people and educators. I think, it was caused by the fact that they use correct English (in most cases), speak more clearly, and their language does not contain as many slang words and neologisms as the language of young generation. I also do not think it is something wrong with the language of young people unless it modifies and evolves as they grow older (that happened with my Polish language). I do think it is a problem that many adults do not care about the language: they break established patterns, are careless and lazy to check e.g. the grammar, not to mention that many treat you as you were an alien when you try to use Future in the Past Perfect Tense or a correct expression: “I wish it were you