Review of Doing Our Own Thing: The Degradation of Language and Music and Why We Should, Like, Care
We regularly encounter complaints that the writing and the speaking of English continues to get worse as time goes along. This kind of complaint is often expressed in connection with criticism about education. McWhorter is a professional linguist. This book is an investigation into whether or not English language usage, both written and spoken, has indeed changed. If so, why and when?
McWhorter begins with the Gettysburg Address. Abraham Lincoln provided a brief address that is a sophisticated piece of writing and oratory. Lincoln’s address stands in contrast to the speech immediately before his because of Lincoln’s brevity. Edward Everett waxed eloquently about the conflict and its meaning at Gettysburg for two hours. (The speech in its entirety is found here: https://voicesofdemocracy.umd.edu/everett-gettysburg-address-speech-text/ . Based on written observations and reports, the audience listened patiently and attentively to the whole speech. They enjoyed the elevated language. They were not put off in the least by its length or content. I join McWhorter in wondering what contemporary American has the patience to listen to a two-hour speech these days? Why could the audience enjoy this lengthy oration, but we cannot and will not? Culture has much to do with that answer.
Both speeches on that day were elegant. They were also written speeches. They were carefully written and bore the fruit of the educated print culture of the day. Even if one was not educated, one would expect the kind of language in a public speech that the audience heard on that day.
McWhorter’s book takes us through the change that American English has gone through since the middle of the 19thcentury.
McWhorter makes some useful distinctions. First, there has always been a difference between formal prose and speeches and regular people talking. By talking, he means everyday conversation. Regardless of the era, “talk” and formal prose have always been different. Even family members who regularly read and heard the King James Bible, did not sound like the King James Bible when talking amongst themselves about quotidian concerns such as chores or family or community news. But, when letters are composed or speeches are given, these are more formal occasions and there is a different, formal, more elevated language that is used. The elevated language is directly influenced by print culture.
McWhorter observes that the use of language, spoken and written, has been changing for some time. In his opinion, 1965 is the year when the discipline of formal, print culture stopped influencing spoken language. Oral communication became looser grammatically. Vocabulary variety usage diminished. As a result, considerably less care was given to the choice and balance of the words during modern speeches. Why 1965? This is the year that TV transitioned from black and white to color.
I don’t completely buy his argument about 1965, but I do agree that the mid to late 1960’s was a significant time in our American culture. It makes sense that it led to a transition in oratory and writing. Both ways of using words became informal, people spoke and write in the first person, and long standing grammatical rules were openly challenged and broken.
McWhorter argues that contemporary Americans just don’t have much pride in their language. At least, in comparison to other language groups or cultures such as the French. He also argues persuasively that America is becoming a primarily oral culture. Videos, cell phones, TV, Internet, etc. all facilitate oral culture that does not reflect the discipline of formal, written, elegant prose.
McWhorter gives many lessons on language in this book. He also connects the change in American English with the change in music preferences. We used to be a country that thrived on classical music. It’s sophistication resists humming along. But, culturally, over time, we have developed a preference for simpler music that has a strong melody and beat and is easy to repeat through humming or singing. His discussion of music and how it has changed in tandem with the development of American English is worth the time to read and reflect on.
While McWhorter documents the changes that take place in the last 170 years, he is reluctant to cast a negative judgment on how things are now for a number of reasons. The biggest reason is because all languages change over time. American English is no different in this respect. Yet, he cannot help but wonder, as I cannot, what is being lost in our ability to appreciate and create sophisticated, detailed writing and speech?
If you want to know why you should, like, care, about how American English got to where it is today, this is a great book to read and contemplate.
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