Spoken English

Many forms of spoken English are not always acceptable in written English and the opposite is also true. The only time that spoken English would be acceptable in the written form is when the writer is writing dialog. For example, sentence fragments are used frequently in conversations and are perfectly acceptable to use when writing dialog, but not in formal writing (Clark). In written English, it is best to avoid slang such as awesome or common expressions such as really (Really?) that is used as an intensifier.
American English in its spoken form is never as formal as academic or formal writing and people rarely write the way they speak. Americans in particular are inclined to insist on a definite informality in their speech. The …show more content…
Every time I hear a character gush it on television show, I cringe. That single word is rampant throughout the world of a television. I hear it delivered in a high-pitched taunt that’s shows a contempt that does not need illumination.
The frequent use of “Really?” on television continues despite the fact that it has already become a worn out expression. John Oliver on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” has taken on the difficult reverse “Really?” as an art form. He belittles Jon Stewart’s logical and sane view with a “Really? Really? Jon?”(CITE)
When a character makes a statement that another character does not like or a situation that is not to their liking, a “Really?” cannot be far behind. Take this recent trailer for ABC’s “Once Upon a Time.” (CITE)
Society repeats what they hear around them and on television, so “Really?” continues to spread through our lives. Recently, I was at a children’s outdoor birthday party and a woman showed up wearing a completely inappropriate formal dress for a night on the town. Amongst the whispers of the other women, I could hear the familiar word, “Really?” Instead of saying: “Well that’s an interesting choice, but don’t you think something more casual would be more fitting to the occasion?” The contempt of the other women was summed up in that one little …show more content…
I have lost track of how many times he has used it in the past month because I would have had to have a notebook around my neck just to keep track. Every day his stories from work are peppered with “Really?” and shows just how much contempt he has for some of his co-workers. His stories of commuting to and from work usually include the snarky word. A driver cut him off or sped by him at an amazing high rate of speed, and his response of course, was, “Really?” Since I am constantly exposed to the “R” word, I am guilty of using it on occasion myself.
I find that I resort to the dreaded “R” word when I am angry. Not too long ago I was shopping at a well-known chain store. I was cranky and tired and I did not want to be there. There were carts strewn and abandoned in front of the exit and as I politely stopped for a woman to go ahead, she too dumped her cart in front of me. I exploded, “Really?!” So, I find that I am not immune to the use of the dreaded