“Because your face hurts mine, now sit down,” as the words left my mouth, I knew they were wrong and yearned to take them back. The teenager’s face fell, and he schlepped back to his desk. A door closed and all the apologies I could mouth would not open it again. Later, that young man left our school; and though the principal said it was for other reasons, I knew that at a minimum, my words helped push him toward the exit. I should have known better. Over twenty-seven years of military service, I’d honed my sarcasm tools to a fine edge. Now as a high-school teacher, I found that sarcasm was a tool that should be rarely used…if ever. I should have paid attention to my words…or guarded my speech.
“One of my goals is for us to use elevated speech,” intoned Dr. Ransdell, “We, as teachers, need to always use elevated speech, in our writing, in our lectures, and in our conversations.” And Dr. Ransdell displayed an uncompromising vigilance in elevating our speech. She regularly marked our papers with “Casual Speech” in her neat script. As this was a graduate course, we regularly delivered short orations over a given subject. She did not hesitate to stop the speaker and require a rephrasing of a sentence delivered in casual speech. She understood that casual speech elides meaning, leading to poor communication.
Now as an English teacher, I pay attention to words, the words that I use, the words that others use, the words I see in print or on my computer screen. I realize that the words we use reveal much about who we are, how we think, what is important to us, and the quality of our character. Taking the time to think through what we will say, or write, carefully choosing the exact right phrasing to carry the meaning we’re groping for, and eradicating trite colloquialism, all point toward a disciplined mind anxious to communicate clearly, concisely, and eloquently. All of this takes effort and time.
In our modern give it to me in sound bites culture, we find taking our time anathema. Elevated speech or writing requires thoughtful consideration. Students carp and moan when a writing assignment requires the construction of an outline. And they do so primarily because of the time it takes. I understand the nature of their lives. They all report struggling to find the time to do the required things and those social things they so crave. Contrary to what I might think as a teacher, they are not displaying laziness particular to their generation. They simply reflect our culture. We crave speed and immediacy. I have a computer that I despise, avoiding using it if possible. Why? It is slow. When I purchased it, I did not want to spend much money. I got what I paid for. It does everything it is supposed to but start-up is slow. I can take two or three sips of coffee just waiting for the logon screen. Once fully booted up, it works just fine. But I hate it. I too reflect my culture. But, like my English professor, God counsels slow, considerate speech.
This short essay cannot hope to include all the scripture directed at guarding our speech. Evidently, as long as humans have printed the sands of this earth, we’ve struggled with this thing called speech. In both the New and Old testaments, God devoted many passages to the various issues and perils associated with speech. Ephesians 4:29 draws me as I contemplate using elevated speech. Paul writes, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
When in my classroom, does my speech guild up? Does it give grace? Does it fit the occasion? When I sit down in front of my computer to peck out an essay, do I use my words to encourage, to point towards God, to ennoble, or build up? God graced me with the ability of speech. This capability sets me apart from all the lower life forms. How will I use this great gift? Dr. Ransdell strove to inculcate the habit of elevated speech in her students. Without hectoring or degrading, she required that we weigh our words carefully, choosing those words which best fit the situation. If we more carefully select our words and then think before we send them out into the world, we might reduce the level of acrimony in civil discourse. Once words slip from our lips, we cannot recall them. So as I enter the final preparation for my fall classes, I must redouble my efforts to guard my speech, seeking a special measure of grace from the Lord, grace to guard my lips against any careless speech.
