Through time, the meaning of words shifted significantly. One example is the word "gay." 30 years ago, it referred to someone who is happy. Today, the word relates to sexual orientation. In the rapidly changing use of words, teachers today have to "translate" a diversity of new vocabulary in order to interpret new meanings and expressions.
Here are some words and expressions that I struggle with: "I hate it or I hate you"; "It irritates me"; "that's stupid", "that's gay," "that is weak" among others.
Let's take the first expression: "I hate it." When I started teaching at a Junior High Academy 13 years ago, the word "hate" was the most common word I used to hear from my students referring to other classes. Either if it was for an assignment or for an activity. Coming from a different language and culture, I found hard to understand or better yet, to accept this type of expression.
What do they really mean? Hate, according to dicctionary.com, means: "to dislike intensely or passionately; feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward; detest: to hate the enemy; to hate bigotry" The Spanish translation "Odio" is neither a soft "candy cake" word. Not sure yet if this is another cultural misunderstanding, but still the English dictionary does not leave too much room for different interpretations. So my question again, "What they (the teenagers) really mean?"
I see two ways to address this expression: either I accept the fact that the students at some point "hate" you or your class or a colleague's class, or simply: educate/Teach. As I write this blog, I came to the conclusion that there are many areas that our student have been uneducated, or simply missed important aspects of character building. Public and private schools have started in recent years, strong campaigns about bullying and profiling. Perhaps, the teachers should encourage students to include some refine vocabulary to better express themselves and moving away from TV shows vocabulary and start building better citizens.
In a polarized society inundated with contemporary philosophies and relativism, we need to go back to the basics in education. Educate, teach our students that we can live in a better world if we redefine... also the use of our words. “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” ― Theodore Roosevelt
David Nino
Music Educator- 23 years teaching.