Language Use

Teacher Emy Rose N. Satoc

Language Use (Objectives)
•Define language use and its five major issues and
characteristics in writing.

•Apply accuracy of language use in writing a formal

letter.

•Explain how language helps in valuably expressing

ideas in writing.
Language Use

“Language use is the utilization of language either in

the form of verbal (speaking) or non-verbal (written
based) in order to communicate ideas effectively.”
Language Use

“Focusing on writing, instilling formal and

accurate language should be observed.”
Language Use

“Do you believe that language is as significant as

organization? Why?”
Language Use

According to Purdue Online Writing Lab 2020,

there are five major issues with appropriate
language that should be avoided in an effective
and well-written text:
Issue #1

1.Formality of language. It should depend on

how formal the situation is and how the writer
and the reader are related to one another.
Example: Writing an email letter
“A pleasant day, Ma’am Rodriguez. How are you?
I hope you are doing well. Attached on this
message includes our research paper on “Solid
Waste Management”. We hope that this message
reaches your end. Thank you and have a
wonderful day, Ma’am.”
Example: In a conversation
Daniel: Good morning, Sir Domingo. May I ask
when are you going to give us the summative
examination?
Sir Domingo: It shall be next week, Daniel.
Kindly inform your classmates to review and
study well.
Daniel: I will take note of that, Sir. Thank you
and have a great day.
Issue #2

2. Use of jargons. Specialized language used

by groups of individuals in the same field, should
only be used if the target readers belong to the
same group.
Example: Medical Jargons
Positive nodes- “Cancer has spread”
Febrile- “Feverish”
NPO-”No eating/drinking”
Progressing-”Getting worse”
Example: Political Jargons
Bellweather state- a state that typically votes for the
leading candidates.
Dark money- political funds or donations raised by non-
profit organizations where the donors are not disclosed.
Bail out- helping a large company with its debts with the
intention that the company will repay the money in the
future.
Issue #3

3. Avoid slangs and idioms. Refrain from

using slang and idiomatic expressions if
necessary to avoid misinterpretation of text.
Example: Slang
“I just want y’all to know that I’mma be a
great soldier one day.”

“I kinda think of that old man as dramatic and

goofy.”
Example: Idioms
“Break a leg for tomorrow’s discussion, Mr.
Mendez!”

“I am so drained that I need forty winks.”

Issue #4

4. Avoid euphemisms. Using of euphemisms

can make sentences longer and indirect to its
semantic implications.
Examples:
Vertically challenged- for someone who is
short
Passed away- instead of died
Letting go- firing or abandoning someone
Put to sleep-instead of euthanize
Issue #5

5. Biased language. Avoid using any biased

language including those associated with any
racial, ethnic, group, or gender.
Example: Racial based

The term “coloured skin” is racial in the

sense that it offends people with dark
complexity.
Example: Ethnic/Group based

The lifestyle that she is practicing came

from the lifestyle of the Aetas in which all
she can do is to focus on harvesting,
hunting, and do rituals.
Example: Gender based

“Earning”
Women must earn less than men because
they are less intelligent.
Language Use

Characteristics of an
effective language:
Characteristics of Language
•Concrete and specific, not vague and
abstract
•Concise, not verbose
•Precise and clear, not obscure
•Constructive; not destructive
•Appropriately formal, not slang
Concrete and Specific
“I want to buy doughnuts because I am
craving for it.”

“I want to buy that cream filled bread with

variety of flavors because I am craving for
it.”
Concise, not verbose
“I need to be careful so that I won’t
experience an accident.”

“I need to practice safety measures so that I

won’t get into an accident because accidents
can take away a life and it is scary.”
Precise and Clear
Question: Why should we hire you?

Answer: I believe you should hire me because

I am a hardworking, diligent, and competitive
worker.
Precise and Clear
Question: Why should we hire you?

Answer: I believe you should hire me because

I believe I can work better and, I think I will
maybe learn a lot of experiences because I
am still a newbie but I am willing to improve.
Constructive, not Destructive
Constructive

Student to Instructor: You have confused me so

badly with your lectures that I do not know what to
do. I am considering dropping out and taking the
class next to Dr. Johnstone, who can clearly explain
the information.
Constructive, not Destructive
Destructive:

Instructor to Student: I have never had a student

who was confused with this material. Perhaps you
should take an easier course from an easier
professor. It makes no difference to me.
Accurately formal, not slang
Example:

“It has been a pleasure working with you, Sir. May you
always be well.”

“Hey sucker, if you’re reading this message, gimme

back my money!”
Example:
“ A Good Leadership”

A good leadership brings proper and successful organization

towards the team involved. It challenges an individual to
get out of his or her comfort zone and grab opportunities to
lead for the better. Integrating a good leadership requires
following appropriate standards and if applicable, shows
strictness, however with the purpose to not negatively
control the team but to make the team’s work and action
organized and well-planned.
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
•Focusing on writing, language use should accurately
be applied when it comes to writing to avoid any
ambiguity.

•Five major issues with appropriate language which

should be avoided: formality of language, use of
jargons, avoiding slangs and idioms and
euphemisms, and biased language.
POINTS TO REMEMBER:

•The characteristics of an effective language include:

concrete and specific, conciseness, precise and
clear, constructive and not destructive, and
appropriately formal and not slang.