Do you change your "language" for someone who is not as literate?

[mamadadawahwah]

If you entered into a conversation with someone who clearly dosent use "big words" would you continue to use them and hope they understood what they meant, or would you grope for a word they would understand better and risk patronising them?

Parents of a boy in my area are the "brightest" of the bunch (nor am i for that matter) but i was talking to them about general childrearing and doing the usual note comparing. I recounted i book i am reading at the moment and said it was "indicative" of some such or other. I knew straight away by the look on their faces, they thought i was being "snooty". Argh.

[debs26]

definately change language. i was talking about a book with someone and used the word text. she asked me if it had something to do with a mobile phone. really!

[pixiefish]

Yes I do. But then again I teach so have to change register/ tone and vocab from one 50 minute lesson to the next. Something I tend to do without thinking about. Also do it at home with friends

[mamadadawahwah]

I was watching a game show out of boredom last saturday night ( i think it was the lotto show) the woman was asked how many people were at the last supper. She said 40. I dont know, i havent read the bible in its entirety either, but people's general knowledge and literacy is grossly affected today by not reading books. They are losing language. ( i should talk, having watched such crap on tv as i have)

[Mud]

yes I do but I also think its sad that people can think a good vocabulary is being 'snooty' - says more about them than it does about you

[starlover]

Totally agree Mud!
I have to say I am well read, have ALWAYS loved books, and as such I think I have a pretty good vocabulary.
And I cannot stand it when I am talking with someone and they come out with "oooh, long words"... or some such crap! As if you're not allowed to use long words!!!

I have a friend who isn't less literate per se... she just doesn't have the biggest vocabulary in the world, but she knows that and is fine with it. I often have to sit and explain what words mean to her! But we have a good laugh over it and hopefully she remembers some of them!

[starlover]

btw... was the answer 13? jesus and the 12 disciples?

I actually haven't read it either, but I wanna know the answer!

[Mud]

yes its 13 - which is why 13 is an unlucky number to christians

[Branster]

no. if they don't undersatnd they should look it up or ask me what it means!

[starlover]

really Mud? I never knew that!

[starlover]

I agree with that too Branster!

[starlover]

If you use "big words" and people don't know what they mean, then they might just go home and look it up.
So you're doing them a favour really!

[hunkermunker]

I don't use big words. I use diminutive ones.

[JoolsToo]

I do not do it ....

[handlemecarefully]

I don't consciously change my terminology...but perhaps unwittingly I do??

Tend to agree that it's their problem not mine if they don't understand every word, since I am not a walking thesaurus and my vocablory isn't hugely challenging.

Also people should be able to understand what you are saying from the context, even if they don't get every word

[handlemecarefully]

Very clever Joolstoo!