Say Again?!!

Sometimes when I am in a conversation with someone or with one of my students, they will say something that breaks all the rules of the English language. Excuse me but we are educated adults, using slang such as ain't, or more prevalent, using the incorrect verb tense with the noun doesn't communicate that you are a professional. I am not an English teacher but among educated adults, I am hearing more and more - poor English. There is no excuse for obliterating the English language. "He ain't come here in awhile," and "Ain't see no sign if they come yet," another favorite, "They was here," hurts the ears and no matter if you are wearing the best threads in the world or are the CEO, it kills your image. Even my computer is having a hard time writing it!

As a professional your use of the English languarge, or in other circumstances foreign languages, reflects on it. Whether it is said orally or written grasps the correct form of the language. We already know that the use of foul language shows others that we have a limited vocabulary but speaking the way you spoke to your friends growing up in your neighborhood will not suffice.

Admitting that you have a problem with English is the first step. It's not about diagramming sentences anymore, it's about being comfortable speaking to others. Part of creating that aire of confidence is being comfortable speaking to the CEO, to a client or the janitor.

A friend of mind, that was a marketing director for a newspaper, called me and said that he was comfortable talking to people but felt limited in being able to communicate effectively on paper. This is not new. As a master's student we all had to take a technical writing course because we couldn't write. If you are having problems there, take a course in technical writing so you can be effective on paper.

If you lack confidence when it comes to not using slang in an interview or at work -- then admit it and take an English course. If you want to be the consummate professional, your image is from head to toe and includes your communication effectiveness VERBALLY as well as nonverbally.