Written by Kevin R. Fish, City Year AmeriCorps member serving on the Bain and Company Team at English High School.

Throughout my lifetime, I have learned that miscommunication is often the root of discrepancies and conflict. I have found that at City Year, and more specifically, English High School, having a firm understanding of student language is essential in being successful in our mission. This lead me to the development of the “The English Translation,” a pseudo-personal dictionary that I created in order to assist myself with the vernacular that my students used daily. Over the past 8 months I have encountered 5 words and phrases that have stood out to me the most:

5)    Ya Forcin’ It (v.) Your actions are quite exuberant for what you are actually trying to achieve

4)    Good Looks (interj.) I appreciate the fact that you took the time to do a favor for me with or without me asking.

3)    I’m hip (adj.) I am quite knowledgeable about the current subject of conversation

2)    Aggy (adj.) of or pertaining to intolerable/undesirable actions or speech

1)    Schemin’(v.) To be involved in clandestine activities which are only carried out to improve one’s own self-interest

[Interview: Kevin, City Year and his student Darwell]

Now, these 5 words and phrases represent an entire vernacular that is used commonly throughout our schools. I know that I often use them without even thinking about it and have tried to incorporate them into grammar lessons with students. Simply asking students to think about what part of speech these words represent is an easy way to combine critical thinking and every day vocabulary. Not only can it work into grammar lessons but it is helpful to teach the idea of “time and place.” Getting students to consider alternative words that are more appropriate for school and other professional setting is always a helpful lesson.