The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-12-29

The prevalence Of slang today In the
school, the parlor and on the street Is
so widespread that If it continues the
English language is likely to fall into
state of desuetude.
There was a time when the child
was taught from his earliest years to
express himself In the best possible
manner. The education and selection
Of words by those to whom the child
was intrusted were closely looked in
to- and no instructor was considered
educationally speaking-a proper per-
son to teach the youth whose choice
of English was not the best.
Children are so impresstonable, keen
and initiative and learn so many
undesirable things without being
taught that no one should be placed
over them who has not learning and
Judgment sufficient to impart to them
the best in the best manner possible.
Some time ago an agitation was
started to change the material for
child amusement from the familiar
rhymes of Mother Goose and other
foolish poetical connections and sub
stitute tales of history and travel thus
affording the double advantage of use
full instruction and an agreeable diver
sion. The idea was good one, but
its application was hardly possible.
Many mothers refused to consider the
suggestion and chung with the tenacity
of burr to the Mother Goose mode
of entertainment, which in itself is an
education in some of the least pleasing
0XnrQSjOnS n ho 1icI 1or
The book in question is over 400
years old, and, it is said, bad as the
present form is, the original is some
thing appalling. 1t is surprising
fact, but one nevertheless true, that
we have all been brought up on this
unwholesome diet of mental vulgarity.
And 1t Is safe to say that ninety-nine
little ones out of every hundred are
consuming at present with childish
avidity that same Mother Goose.
The deviation from the best use of
our language has degenerated into the
common form of speech known as
slang. IN passing group Of children.
not only from the slums of the city.
where little opportunity for advance
ment is afforded, but from homes of
supposed culture and refinement, the
majority of thoughts given expression
to are uttered in the vernacular of
slang In any part Of speech, but even
IN this undesirable code fine lines may
be drawn.
In many of the schools and some of
our colleges slang is used by those in
authority. Consequently the children
1all into Its use easily, and it becomes
a habit that takes hold so powerfully
or the boy or girl as to be almost i'm
POSSIBLE to overcome. One university
| professor even advocated the use of
slang IN the teaching of the young.
he held that In history to explain that
such and such king was up against
II fastened the fact in the mind Of
the child more than the use of the
best English. And so on with other
vulgar but descriptive expressions of
the time, he characterized the worlds
| great events.
If the heads of our institutions If
! learning, supposedly possessing higher
eoucatlon' and brighter 1ntellects than
| the average, advocate-or even per-
| m1t-slang In the recitation Of lessons.
| what chance Is there for the develon-
ment Of the oratory that moves null
titudes or the masterful English Of
| written thought? Even some of those
teaching the word of God have re-
| sorted to this plebian vocabulary. and
in exhorting people to praise their
! Maker one enthusiast asked all those
who were "whooping up to, the land
| ing of salvation" to RISE"
The press is less iniculated with the
germ Of slang than either the pulpit
or school, it being understood always
that the true scholars of both nm
scrupulously avoid anything bordering
on the term. Now that We have the
fable in slang, and since a wave ia
| sweeping over the community, some
followers of the clan may compile a
dictionary and thus establish a STAN
| dard Of style in what Webster terms
unauthorized language"
Apart from lacking, culture the
slangy man or woman lacks dignity
and a proper amount Of that uality
which, aside from demanding respect.
and inspiring condolences, Is needfnl to
81 5$sS 49,