anyone else bothered by "ain't" ??

POSTED BY: fabala30
UPDATED: Thursday, October 24, 2002 23:23
VIEWED: 12230
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FABALA30

Saturday, October 19, 2002 8:32 PM

So far, I like the show a lot...however, the characters' use of the word "ain't" really seems out of place. I know it's supposed to be like the old west and everything, but these people seem fairly educated...it just doesn't seem like they should be saying "ain't" all the time. Am I missing something?

REXRAYGUN

Saturday, October 19, 2002 8:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fabala30:
So far, I like the show a lot...however, the characters' use of the word "ain't" really seems out of place. I know it's supposed to be like the old west and everything, but these people seem fairly educated...it just doesn't seem like they should be saying "ain't" all the time. Am I missing something?

Being from Texas, I don't see a problem with the usage of the word, so far as it's used correctly and isn't forced into otherwise proper speech. I'll use the word when just chooching around, but I would never type it, you know what I mean? Different speech patterns for different situations.

Another one that's misused all the time is "y'all." Y'all is a plural colloquialism. However, in Disney's "The Kid," Jean Smart misuses it about five times!

Just my dos pesos,

Rex!

UFO

Sunday, October 20, 2002 3:53 AM

It's a western in space (much to my disliking), so it's full of period type words like "reckon" "fixin'" "ain't" etc.

LOONYTOON

Sunday, October 20, 2002 4:10 AM

Sorry to burst your bubble, but many people up here in Alaska use every word you have mentioned. People say ain`t ain`t a word, but any word that is common in everyday conversation and everybody knows what it means is a word, it just ain`t been put in the dictionary yet. The words you are talking about may not be used much in the urban south(I live in Alaska, anything south of Canada is "down south"), but they are still in everyday use in other places, and not just by rednecks.

JAYNESGIRLFRIEND

Sunday, October 20, 2002 1:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by RexRaygun:

Another one that's misused all the time is "y'all." Y'all is a plural colloquialism. However, in Disney's "The Kid," Jean Smart misuses it about five times!

Just my dos pesos,

Rex!

You even spelled it right! You are from the South. Its the plural part that Hollywood seems to have a problem with, those silly Yanks'll stick it anywhere.
Even though I use it myself I still hate the word ain't. Just don't like the way it sounds. But since when are 'reckon' and 'fixin' period words? I'm just waiting for somebody to use 'yonder' or 'wallago'. I grew up saying all of these, and pronouncing 'wash' with an r but I swear I'm over that now.

"I was gonna get me an ear, too." - Jayne

EVANS

Sunday, October 20, 2002 1:37 PM

I like the rough grammar. These people are NOT necessarily well-educated, but that doesn't matter. It adds a flavor. It adds to the fantasy. It stops you, for a microsecond, and tickles your brain cells. It isn't pre-packaged or predictable.

My dad (from Oklahoma) chided us for using the words he used all the time: ain't, dasn't, et. didn't learn y'all till I moved to Texas. A VERY USEFUL WORD, should be in the official American English lexicon.

m.

SAINTOFCHEESE

Sunday, October 20, 2002 3:51 PM

PEople can be well educated and still use bad grammar. You don't get as much "Ain't" up here, but there is a certain... hmm.. shall we say... Vermont accent that is prevalent. There are certain grammatical things that people use in speech simply because they have grown up with them. Sometimes they may know that they are wrong but it doesn't change it

~*Saint of Cheese*~

RADWORLD

Sunday, October 20, 2002 4:07 PM

My only problem with it is that it sounds way too forced by some the actors. I know folks that se it and rolls off the tounge. The actors saying probably have gone to classes for years trying to break speech habits like it and it sounds uncomfortable. Plus everyone seems to use it...not so with the country. I wouldn't mind it if 1 or 2 characters said it...but they use it as a crutch and as filler sometimes. IMHO.

FABALA30

Sunday, October 20, 2002 7:40 PM

Yes! This is EXACTLY what I meant. It sounds unnatural. If they were speaking with southern accents, I think it would be completely different. Even Alan Tudyk/Wash (the sole reason I started watching the show) doesn't sound right saying it, and he is from Texas! There are plenty of other shows and movies where people say "ain't" all the time, and it doesn't bother me a bit because it sounds completely natural. Here it seems to stick out like a sore thumb.

I hope I did not offend by implying that people who say "ain't" are uneducated. I have been educated here myself from these responses--this Yankee had no idea "ain't" was so commonly used...especially in Alaska!

Thanks for the input.

REXRAYGUN

Sunday, October 20, 2002 7:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by radworld:
My only problem with it is that it sounds way too forced by some the actors. I know folks that se it and rolls off the tounge. The actors saying probably have gone to classes for years trying to break speech habits like it and it sounds uncomfortable. Plus everyone seems to use it...not so with the country. I wouldn't mind it if 1 or 2 characters said it...but they use it as a crutch and as filler sometimes. IMHO.

I think Kaylee is the worst about it sounding forced, but I could be wrong.

I think the strangest local way of speaking that I've heard for the USA is from a friend of mine who lived in Pennsylvania. SHe said that folks would say things like "Throw yer ma down the stairs the car keys, wouldja?" Wild!

Just my dos pesos,

Rex!

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