In Fairness, I Mean, You Know

“Actually… it’s like… when I’m around children… I mean… when they play with you… like… you know… they give me a sense of… like… joy and fulfillment… I mean… they… you know… boost my morale… which… I mean… is important to… like… keep me motivated… I mean… you know…”

Such was a Filipino-American applicant’s answer to my interview question, “Why do you want to teach kindergarten?”

It puzzles me how these five little words-like, I mean, you know-have found their way into the common English tongue and still manage to bring home the point; no further questions asked.

“Like” used to connect ideas as in a preposition or conjunction. Now, it replaces ideas. “I mean” used to further explain or support one’s main idea. Now, it connects ideas. “You know” used to express an idea between people who thought alike, making words unnecessary. Now, it assumes that one’s idea is understood even by total strangers.

Roderick Nordell, in the book, “Word Power” by Reader’s Digest, surmised that such words have taken over the language and their young users have mastered the art of imaginative placement and speed of delivery.

Notice further that these words reflect a lack of confidence and certitude, something that should merit the attention of parents and educators. As I write, more such words of poor articulation are taking root in the common English language and I have begun to notice myself using them in growing frequency.

Among Filipinos, these words-actually, basically, in fairness-have become convenient words to begin a sentence. It’s time we take notice and open our scholarly tables for discussion.

Applicants who come for job interviews may well benefit from recognizing and avoiding these word usages to project a more confident, assured and positive character before potential employers.

In fairness… I mean… you know…