"So I kind of get there, and then I tell them like, 'Oh, man!'" - Many people do not notice the parasitic words in their speech. But if adults can take the will in a fist and watch their speech, it is difficult for children to cope with it. Time and again we hear from teenagers endless "like", "as if", "like" and "in terms of?". Let's find out where these weed words come from and whether we can fight them.
The reading time is 3 minutes.
What are parasitic words
К parasitic wordsAs philologists call them, discursives are words and expressions that do not carry a semantic load. Literally speaking, if they are removed from speech, the meaning is not lost.
For example, such words include "as if", "like", "like", "like", "anyway" and so on. In addition, there are also sounds-parasites, which a person usually fills the pauses, selecting the right word: "e-e-e-e", "e-m-m-m-m", "a-a-a-a". Interjections, by the way, also conditionally refer to the words-parasites. Although without them in live speech can not do without, but the main thing is not to get carried away. Otherwise, the speech from their abundance is scarce and becomes simplified.
Where do the weed words come from in our speech
There are several reasons why words-parasites appear in our speech. Let's look at the main ones:
— The influence of other people's speech - When we regularly communicate with a person who uses the same "words", we unwittingly borrow these words into our own speech. The same happens with social networks and media - listening to others, we pick up other people's expressions and start using them ourselves.
— Lack of vocabulary - as sad as it is to admit, complex thoughts require complex words. And there are parasitic words for simple ones.
— Lack of self-confidence - words-parasites serve to fill a pause when a person is worried or does not know what word to choose.
It is important to realize that the constant use of unnecessary words in speech distracts from the essence. In addition, it creates an impression of the interlocutor as an illiterate, eloquent person.
How to help your child get rid of parasitic words
If you notice that your child is using a lot of weed words, try the following ways:
- Have a straightforward conversation about it. Draw your child's attention to the words he or she uses and discuss why it is best to avoid them.
- Look for replacements. Together choose pauses and phrases that can replace parasitic words.
- Practice playing games. Use game exercises where it is desirable to avoid parasitic words during storytelling or discussion. For examples of games, see the article below.
- Read together consciously. Reading clearly and expressively helps you to formulate your thoughts better and avoid weedy expressions.
- Praise for achievements. Note how the number of parasitic words in the child's speech decreases and reward for clean speech.
Most importantly, do not ridicule, but try to maintain an atmosphere of trust so that the child experiments with speech.
Games for practicing speech
To get rid of words-parasites did not turn into tedious instructions for the child, offer him these games. First, he will be able to hear himself from the outside and realize how poor such speech is. Secondly, game practice helps to memorize how not to speak.
- Come up with a monologue in a minute
You will need: a timer and come up with a topic. Set a timer for 1-2 minutes and talk about the given topic. Promise not to use parasitic words. Switch places. For adults, these speech games are also very useful.
- A game of cards
Needed: Prepare cards with parasitic words in advance. Place the cards on the table. Each time someone says a parasite word, they take a card. This can be combined with the monologue game above.
- Dialogue without parasitic words
Have a conversation with a friend, trying to avoid parasitic words. The penalty for using a weed word is a card!
- Analyzing the conversation
Record your conversation on audio and then listen to it, noting parasite words.
- Who's the last one?
Agree among yourselves: whoever says the parasite word should tell an interesting fact or anecdote.
These games will help develop your child's speech awareness and make the process more fun!
Conclusion
What other articles to read:
- Reading to children. Why is it important to read from early childhood?
- How we develop speech in the conversation school
- Why do Russian schools still write in capital letters?
At Palme School's online Russian language classes, children learn pure literary Russian speech. Our teachers are linguistics graduates and teachers of Russian as a foreign language. We are passionate about the idea of preserving the Russian language in the children of emigrants living abroad. Therefore, our school also pays a lot of attention to the cultural and historical aspect.
It is free to try a class at our school. To sign up for an introductory lesson, please use the form below.
