Posted on 11/19/2013 6:54:38 AM PST by don-o
I was taught that a preposition is a bad thing with which to end a sentence. I do not recall being taught about beginning a sentence with an adverb. I raise the matter, because recently I have heard an increasing use of the word “so” as the first word in a sentence in response to a question.
I first noticed this in Congressional hearings. Now I am hearing it on the radio. On NPR this morning there was a story about the relationship between commute to work times and political involvement. The interviewee spoke English well, with perhaps an Indian accent. In a five to eight minute piece, he began maybe five of his responses with “so”
My questions are:
1. Has anyone else noticed this?
2. Is it a new speech pattern?
3. How did it get started?
So this seems to be a trend?
I think “back in the day” has replaced “when I was young” for the boomers. They refuse to admit they are no longer young. OK right? :)
Actually, I hear it used most often as conversational lubrication from people who do not have the confidence to just say what they want to say. For example: "The weather is nice today" now becomes "Soooo, the weather is nice today". The people who use it seem uncomforatble that their assertion or conversational offering will be acceptable. It functions like a conversational tail between the legs as when a dog approaches a stranger and isn't sure if it will get patted or kicked.
Yes! That is the crux of it. Clever use of the language to deceive needs to be a red flag. It's a more blatant form of subliminal advertising.
Now that I reflect, I should have used “once upon a time...”
However, I do think you've happened upon another meaning of 'so', that being "the way things are".
I believe the the two uses are related in that my earlier "so" is a compact particle for "OK, things being as they may (from the previous discussion)" consider now what I'm about to say."
HF
Wouldn’t “very well..” serve the same purpose and acknowledge the value of what had been stated?
I understand your point much better now. Thanks. Yes, that seems to break down and corrupt an otherwise honed use of English.
HF
Yes, I have noticed it. Been hearing it for last several months on TV, Congressional hearings, etc. It is annoying and drives me nuts. I too, would like the answer to your questions.
I agree that “very well” accomplishes much of the same, but for me, at least, “so” more clearly has an edge of “I’d like to move on.” (Isn’t that so? (I’m learning politeness.))
HF
My kids say literally, literally all the time! ;) It drives me nuts. A few of them don’t even know what the word means yet.
NPR also had a brief mention, this morning, of the newest word that the Oxford Dictionary has accepted. They reported that "selfie" was first used ten years ago (I believe they even had the source). I wonder if that might be the resource for tracking "so".
Hush! The adults are talking here :)
Publick skreowels.
When Churchill’s secretary criticized his ending sentences with prepositions, he testily replied,
“This is the sort of nonsense up with which I will not put!!”
A needle pulling thread?
:)
34
In seriousness, though, you’re quite correct. We are becoming increasingly lax in our use of language. Someone else posted that this site used to be a place where you could hone communicative skills. Some people still challenge the intellect here.
Others just talk about ‘marshall law’. Sigh.
The poor speaking habits of the illiterate, TV addled masses have a way of infecting everyone else. I have to lecture several times each month so I'm always vigilant of picking up new speech-crap in my own habits! It's surprising how easily it can happen.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.