The Linguistic Battle Against Imprecise Speech: Louis de Bernières on the 'Like' Epidemic
The Author's Linguistic Crusade
Living in the Norfolk countryside, Louis de Bernières finds himself increasingly frustrated by what he perceives as a decline in precise communication. The author, known for works like Captain Corelli's Mandolin, expresses deep irritation with the fashion for imprecise and redundant speech that has become commonplace in modern British culture.
The Rise of Filler Words and Generic Speech
De Bernières specifically targets the overuse of words like 'like' as a symptom of broader linguistic decay. He recounts witnessing a sixth-form student take five minutes to express what should have been a five-second thought, repeatedly using 'like' as a filler. The author also criticizes the spread of a generic Essex accent across Britain, noting the decline of regional dialects and the proliferation of glottal stops.
The Communication Crisis
The author connects linguistic trends to other societal issues, suggesting a possible correlation between imprecise speech, junk food consumption, and antisocial behavior like littering. He expresses particular frustration with how Radio 4 has adapted to younger audiences who use these speech patterns, making it difficult for fluent speakers to enjoy the programming.
Cultural Impact of Linguistic Shifts
De Bernières traces his linguistic concerns to his classical humanist education, which emphasized proper sentence construction and coherent thought. He contrasts this with modern communication that he believes prioritizes appearing 'cool' and 'relaxed' over clarity and precision. The author worries that these trends represent a broader cultural shift away from careful thought and meaningful expression.
The Future of Precise Communication
The author concludes by expressing his hope that awareness of these linguistic issues might lead to a return to more precise communication. He coins the term 'misosaskopeslexis' (hatred of pointless words) to describe his own linguistic preferences and suggests that others might benefit from similar attention to the quality and precision of their speech.