Staff Editorial Feb 5 1999: Whatever Ruth, like, as if.
Issue date: 5/14/09 Section: Opinions
There were many wide eyes on Sunday morning as awakening Smith students got their first glimpse of one of the lead articles in the Sunday edition of the Boston Globe. The first quote, discussing the vernacular used in conversation among college students was from none other than President Simmons herself:
"It's (the way in which Smith student speak) minimalist, it's reductionism, it's repetitive, it's imprecise, it's inarticulate, it's vernacular… it drives me crazy."
She also described how she reacts towards Smith students when she hears the dreaded "like" or "you know."' Ruth told the Globe and the rest of New England: "I just grab them [the students] by the shoulders and say, 'Do not say "like" one more time.'"
Well, do we thank President Simmons for criticizing Smith students in a public forum and possibly doing wonders for our collective reputation? Or do we take a look at our speech and thank her for bringing us "Speaking Across the Curriculum?" Also, how true are Simmons' implications? Do Smith students have a reputation for being effective communicators, or repetitive, inarticulate, imprecise valley girls?
According to the CDO, Smith students have proved themselves too many times. The CDO is continually told the high regard with which Smith alumnae and interns are held, because of their intelligence, work ethic and yes, their ability to communicate effectively.
There are differing opinions on the state of speech in America today, especially among young people. There is no doubt that the space fillers "like," "you know," "I mean" and other phrases are used extensively in casual speech. And there is also no doubt that the use of these words out of context can weaken any argument or speech. But, being inarticulate is by no means confined to students of this generation. We can all recall times when we tallied up the "umms" and "ahhs" and "ya knows" of professors on this very campus as they lectured - a little awkwardly - from their podiums. Time, practice, and self confidence are required to learn to speak comfortably in an academic or professional environment.
"It's (the way in which Smith student speak) minimalist, it's reductionism, it's repetitive, it's imprecise, it's inarticulate, it's vernacular… it drives me crazy."
She also described how she reacts towards Smith students when she hears the dreaded "like" or "you know."' Ruth told the Globe and the rest of New England: "I just grab them [the students] by the shoulders and say, 'Do not say "like" one more time.'"
Well, do we thank President Simmons for criticizing Smith students in a public forum and possibly doing wonders for our collective reputation? Or do we take a look at our speech and thank her for bringing us "Speaking Across the Curriculum?" Also, how true are Simmons' implications? Do Smith students have a reputation for being effective communicators, or repetitive, inarticulate, imprecise valley girls?
According to the CDO, Smith students have proved themselves too many times. The CDO is continually told the high regard with which Smith alumnae and interns are held, because of their intelligence, work ethic and yes, their ability to communicate effectively.
There are differing opinions on the state of speech in America today, especially among young people. There is no doubt that the space fillers "like," "you know," "I mean" and other phrases are used extensively in casual speech. And there is also no doubt that the use of these words out of context can weaken any argument or speech. But, being inarticulate is by no means confined to students of this generation. We can all recall times when we tallied up the "umms" and "ahhs" and "ya knows" of professors on this very campus as they lectured - a little awkwardly - from their podiums. Time, practice, and self confidence are required to learn to speak comfortably in an academic or professional environment.
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