I am not afraid to admit that I am one who continually struggles with approaching good standards when it comes to writing more concisely, but, unfortunately, this practice is one that I cannot and will not be able to avoid. I try to carry it out by writing as concisely as possible in every opportunity, this could be from essays to texting, but what gets to me is how easy it is to shorten this "conciseness" by using slang words.
Slang words (i.e. "LOL", "on fleek", "lowkey") have walked through the vernacular of speech within varieties of people and a plethora of languages and they continue to infest our lives with cool-sounding phrases that cop out the tedious template of proper English. The other day, I came across a Facebook text post that showed a colorful T-chart that compared slang words of the 90's versus slang words used now. Most of the used 90's slang words are widely familiar to the viewers of the movie "Clueless". To a person who has used these words firsthand, their appearance in writing and conversation doesn't seem strange, but to a person who has not, the mere sound of any of those words rings uncomfortably because it is strange.
Even though I am a person who admittedly uses today's slang words, they still sound and feel strange to me as I speak them. I catch myself at times wondering why this is, but I have come to the conclusion that it is because I gain no benefit from the use. I am a person who learns through constant repetition. And the fact that I practice the use of a couple of slang words, it has become part of my vernacular. This has not served me well.
One day, at work, a slang word slipped out. My boss was giving everybody instructions, and she got to me. She told me my set of instructions and my instinctive word of acceptance of the task was: "Chill". She paused and was gracious enough to save me the trouble of explaining and moved on to the next person. I was so embarrassed, thank goodness the bulk of my job is to look down and grade papers. I had never stared so hard at a paper, ever.
I can safely say that I am not the only who has become victim to using slang words at the most inappropriate of times. This is why I feel that I gain no benefit from using slang words. The repetition and the general consensus that it is okay in familial and societal environments can allow for people like me to fail to block out the instinct to speak the way one would "always" do. But, of course, there who are more watchful of their tongue than I am.
It is okay to admit that the use of either slang words or lack thereof in professional settings can seem tedious and strange. The best and most effective way to ease the struggle is to practice English. I mean, it will all be chill in the end.
