Was it realistic that Neeta didn't get 'wicked' when Jade said that?

[Hotteok]

I'm from South Korea so I don't know how frequently wicked is used in English-speaking nations or how exactly that word makes people feel.

But from my understanding, it means 'cool'. Is it realistic that a JW can't understand that word? 

This is basically an English question haha...

Thanks for taking your time. 

[Dustparticle]

Basically in the English speaking world, wicked just means wicked. The location where the sisters were at is in England and most likely Jade was using the word as a slang and Neeta was confused of what she was saying.

 

Do you dig? I hip about it.

Edited July 29, 2021 by Dustparticle

[Hotteok]

10 minutes ago, Dustparticle said:

 

 

Do you dig? I hip about it.

you lost me there.

[Dages]

 

[Dustparticle]

10 minutes ago, VisualizeUrParadise said:

you lost me there.

Basically what I'm saying, do you agree? I do.

[Hope]

1 hour ago, VisualizeUrParadise said:

I'm from South Korea so I don't know how frequently wicked is used in English-speaking nations or how exactly that word makes people feel.

But from my understanding, it means 'cool'. Is it realistic that a JW can't understand that word? 

This is basically an English question haha...

Thanks for taking your time. 

I didn't think that was realistic, personally. Using "wicked" in that way is a fairly common slang usage, has been for at least 50 years. In the context Jade used the word, it should've been obvious what she meant.

 

I think they may have exaggerated the disconnects in communication in order to prove the point of how important it is to have an open mind about our Bible studies. That it's about them, not us.  😊  But I'll admit that Neeta's cluelessness did take away the believability a bit.. for me, anyway. 

[Hotteok]

2 minutes ago, Hope said:

I didn't think that was realistic, personally. Using "wicked" in that way is a fairly common slang usage, has been for at least 50 years. In the context Jade used the word, it should've been obvious what she meant.

 

I think they may have exaggerated the disconnects in communication in order to prove the point of how important it is to have an open mind about our Bible studies. That it's about them, not us.  😊  But I'll admit that Neeta's cluelessness did take away the believability a bit.. for me, anyway. 

Thank you.

for me as a foreigner it’s impossible to know if it was an effort of JW directors to make a point or a realistic recreation of reality.

 

But at least I can see that wicked isn’t use a lot among JWs as a slang.

But then again, what word can Jw videos use? The f word? Or…

the option is very limited

oh now I see why.

[Hope]

37 minutes ago, VisualizeUrParadise said:

Thank you.

for me as a foreigner it’s impossible to know if it was an effort of JW directors to make a point or a realistic recreation of reality.

 

But at least I can see that wicked isn’t use a lot among JWs as a slang.

But then again, what word can Jw videos use? The f word? Or…

the option is very limited

oh now I see why.

Did the Korean version use a local slang? I would think so- slang is one the most difficult to cross cultures with..

 

Personally, I use slang when appropriate. Often older, because I like it (groovy, funky, right on), some newer. I also make up my own. 😊  A lot of slang expressions are also regional. In the US, "wicked" is more used on the East Coast, as an emphasis- "it's wicked cold" is common in Boston.  But even if you're not familiar with how people use words, you can usually understand by the context and their facial expression, what they mean, I think.

 

Swear words like the f word are completely different and never acceptable. They are not slang 🤨🧐

[TrueTomHarley]

4 hours ago, VisualizeUrParadise said:

But then again, what word can Jw videos use? The f word?

No. I think not. Don’t try it. The few times I have, (I sometimes write for a mixed audience) even starring out the letters, I am met with such protest that I don’t do it anymore. “To the Romans I became a Roman” and all—but there are limits.

 

But I agree with you and @Hopethat for Nita to be flummoxed upon hearing ‘wicked’ is a tad unrealistic. It strikes just a little bit of overplaying the ‘goody goody’ card, as though ‘worldly’ slang is not something a Christian would ever use. It comes off as just a little too pious, though I barely noticed it at the time so it is hardly a big deal.

 

It is hard to make a video for everybody. Though you and I and Hope and DP are undoubtedly cool, (and don’t get me stated on @Dages)there is no requirement to be cool and many are not. A significant part of the world’s population will not get that slang use of ‘wicked.’ They don’t hang out in cool circles, their grasp of English is not so good to begin with, or they may guard their association to such an extent—think a long-term Bethelite—that they truly hear that use so seldom that it sets them back. Why take a chance of stumbling such ones by suggesting that Nita has no problem with what is wicked?

 

Addressing a large audience is near impossible. One person says, ‘thanks for the new rule!’ and his neighbor says, ‘huh? Did you say something?.’ There not much for subtlety at Bethel. They lay on counsel with a trowel. They don’t want to find themselves in Lot’s shoes, whose sons-in-law thought he was joking. Their material will not win any Emmys; they are primarily teaching videos. Clear communication is the goal, with no one failing to get the point.

Edited July 29, 2021 by TrueTomHarley

[Qapla]

I have a different take on this.

 

While I would not have been confused by the use of the expression "wicked" as slang, and neither would my daughters, I have known some JW younger people, like Neeta was portrayed, that would not have immediately gotten it. They may have been able to realize it "when they thought about it" - but, in the situation Neeta was in, she was "nervous" and "off her stride" due to Jades complete style/way/demeanor/interest.

 

So, yes, it was realistic in comparison to some I have known - not most, mind you, but there are some I can think of.

 

 

[minister159]

 

[Amygdala]

Also, at least the German culture, some view English words in different contexts, too. For example, I was shocked to hear from someone locally the S- word used, as they viewed it the same as saying “darn”. When I explained to this person that this word in English is offensive in the English language, they honestly had no clue it was viewed that bad. On the flip side, I’ve heard a word in German that young ones use here that you would think simply means “cool” by the way it’s used, but definitely has a stronger, even sexual meaning that is a no-no. Words can be so powerful. 🤐

[New World Explorer]

It's commonly used in Australia.

Many young ones use term "wicked" to refer to fun..amazement ..cool.

For example ...this game is "wicked" meaning fun or cool. 

 

[On the huh]

I found that Neeta's confusion of Jade's use of "wicked" unrealistic. Even if you don't use that word yourself, you know what it means.  I didn't like the way it thus portrayed Neeta (and other JW's).  Maybe it was done that way on purpose, to emphasis the differences between the two women.  The script would have been carefully written.  I would like to know how it came out in translation.

 

[New World Explorer]

1 minute ago, On the huh said:

I found that Neeta's confusion of Jade's use of "wicked" unrealistic. Even if you don't use that word yourself, you know what it means.  I didn't like the way it thus portrayed Neeta (and other JW's).  Maybe it was done that way on purpose, to emphasis the differences between the two women.  The script would have been carefully written.  I would like to know how it came out in translation.

 

Some children and teens growing up are extremely "sheltered" by parents and environment they are in.

Therefore I think it's realistic for Neeta to be bit "innocent" when it comes to the language and expression "wicked"

Perhaps in her circle this is not the word that someone expects to hear. 

 

[Intercore]

Could someone point me to that part of video where Jade said that? Want to check that in Lithuanian too.

[New World Explorer]

1 minute ago, Intercore said:

Could someone point me to that part of video where Jade said that? Want to check that in Lithuanian too.

Expect...nedoras LOL 🤣

[daydream]

It could also be because the video was intended for an international audience where in some former British colonies, English is a second language. Most persons there are exposed to learning English in a formal setting so may not be aware of nuances in spoken English. For example, in this low income country, the medium of instruction had been changed to the national language starting gradually from early 1970's onwards and now most minority races send their children to vernacular schools for the 1st 6 years of formal education, then 6 to 8 years in national type secondary school where the medium of instruction is the national language. Tertiary education is in either national language or English. With this haphazard type of education system, expect many of the younger citizens to have a sub par command on the English language. 

So probably the Society wanted to portray Neeta as having some confusion in understanding Jade's street language. It doesn't seem believable that someone who was brought up in UK would have difficulty understanding Jade's informal language. Even someone like me, a frog living under the proverbial coconut shell, took it all in my stride. Hey, I even talk like that to sound hip. Uncool type of auntie. Some of members of my congregation who are from Chinese schools, have been taken aback by my rather casual way of speaking.  Water off the duck's back.

 

 

[Intercore]

37 minutes ago, Intercore said:

Could someone point me to that part of video where Jade said that? Want to check that in Lithuanian too.

Nevermind, I remembered where it was. There in Lithuanian it was translated as "No way", literally - "Go for yourself" ("Eik sau"). Having that in mind I remember I was also a little bit suprised Neeta didn't get it. We use that phrase all the time in Lithuania too.

[EccentricM]

On 7/29/2021 at 2:19 PM, VisualizeUrParadise said:

But from my understanding, it means 'cool'. Is it realistic that a JW can't understand that word?

In my opinion, no. A few brothers and sisters here (my mother in her mid 60s included) felt this way.

 

Of course I realised that wasn't the point of the drama, it was to try and show a difference between the two characters, that they come from very different worlds and may struggle to understand one another. (At least, that's what I 'assume', but it's always possible the script writer was an older person who was maybe a little bit "out of the loop" so to say).

 

Wicked is a very old term now, and in fact, I don't think young people use it anymore, it's becoming an "older people" phrase, where as the younger ones now say phrases like "based" or "pog", these are the new terms to mean "cool" or "wicked" now.

Edited July 31, 2021 by EccentricM

[jake3328]

Interesting topic and comments.  It is telling how ethnocentric we sometimes are.  We make assumptions that because I know a thing or my community knows a thing, everyone should know.  I was in school but never caught on to the slang kids used in my school, I just acted like I knew what they meant.

 

Imagine the Governing Body trying to create a teachable, interesting lesson for witnesses all over the world that is tough in English and hundreds of languages.  That is some of the reasons the lyrics in our song books change. They have such a heavy load, I admire them for the work that do and I know Jehovah loves them because they are faithful and discreet.

[Lee49]

It must be good!

[Hope]

1 hour ago, Lee49 said:

It must be good!

It IS! 😉😋🍻

[Cushi]

On 7/29/2021 at 9:21 AM, Dustparticle said:

Basically what I'm saying, do you agree? I do.

You dig what I’m saying 😁

[Lee49]

19 minutes ago, *Jack* said:

You dig what I’m saying 😁

I'm Hip! 😁