How Has The English Language Changed Over Time

As society begins to change so do other aspects that are within that particular society. Within the articles “Why Good English is Good for You” by John Simon, “Do You Speak American” by Robert MacNeil, and “Lost in America” by Douglas McGrey, each author gives their own insight as to how social changes have impacted the language within America, as well as the implications of those changes. While they each argue different views on how those implications have benefitted or hindered the language, they all agree on the fact that the language is ever-changing.

Too view language as if it were an object devoid of its social context would not be seeing language for its creation and use, language is used at its full potential when spoken, language is so important to humans, we use language to express, to think and communicate within the world we live. Language has changed over time, it is thought that at one time we had one original language that was spoken, and “as different human groups spread across the world and communicated only with each other, the original language changed in different ways in different places” (Gee, P,. & Hayes, E. (2011). pg 8), because of these changes, and socialisation of different humans, we now have many diverse human languages. Language has changed and will continue to

He quotes John Simon, a major prescriptivist, stating that “No Damsel was ever in such distress, no drayhorse more flogged, no defenseless child more drunkenly abused than the English language today”(Simon, 307). He also shows the other view of this issue that says that English as a language should evolve along with the rest of the world that has been “Swept by a tide of informality”(MacNeil, 311). With the evolution of technology and language instalments on software and computers, English changing so much among races and regions could become a major issue for this generation. Simon states that English should be treated as the original language and should not be simplified. He refers to common day slang by stating that “Just because you can figure out what the person is trying to say, doesn’t mean you should”(Simon, 333). MacNeil highlights the positives and negatives of the evolving English language along with reasons why people speak the way they do. He seems to have a neutral stance on the issue while Simon bluntly argues the fact that proper English is the English that is mean to be spoken. However, both mention the fact that education has a major influence on how this language is

The English language is always changing. It has been evolving slowly over time. The language that was spoken over 2,000 years ago is entirely different from the everyday language that we use today. In recent years, the English language has evolved rapidly due to the advancements of modern technology. Despite having pros and cons, technology has played an important role in changing the English language and the way we communicate with one another by using new forms of communication, terminology, and code switching between all the different languages.

Do you ever think about the way you speak and why? Well, Paul Robert does an excellent job explaining why people use the dialect they use in Speech Communities. He discusses that people change their use of language throughout their lives to conform to either society or to what kind of person they want to be, or to just conform to who they need to be at a particular moment, in which I agree. People’s choice of language, including myself, are affected by many of their surroundings, such as where they live and grow up at, their peers, and a person’s work place.

Simon states “some people are pleased to call linguistic evolution was almost always a matter of ignorance prevailing over knowledge” (209). This statement shows the opposing view of the liberal -linguist. On the other hand, the other group of people the opposition of the liberal-linguist mentioned by Simon believe that “there is such thing as Standard English” (208). This makes the works of this article balanced and truthful. As a conservative, Simon wants individuals to preserve the English language and not just go with any fad that may come upon us. Henceforth, Simon wants us to teach ourselves and he stresses training yourself. Though Simon presents favoritism toward what he describes as the minority or the conservatives. “we are here… to arrest unnecessary change” (209). He accurately reveals the two viewpoints regarding good English usage.

Americans` perspective on language has changed by social or political factors. Three articles, “Do you speak American?” by Robert MacNeil, “Lost in America” by Douglas McGray, and “Why good English is good for you” by John Simon demonstrate each of the author`s idea that changes by the factors are inevitable, Americans should manage them well. Their ideas are based on the fact that Americans, especially societal and political issues, have changed how they think about language.

“A language variety is basically the style of language that a speaker chooses, whether it be slang, jargon, formal or baby-talk. Social factors are the primary reason that speakers choose different styles,” (Payne). Language allows Cumulative human experience, shared perspective, as well as it allows complex, shared, goal directed behavior. “The physical environment of a conversation or oral presentation plays a large role in the variety of language an individual uses,” (Payne). The difference between how and individual may speak with their grandmother and how the speak to a friend is huge. There is always a time and place in which one should speak in a formal language, other times it is alright to talk informal. Language impacts my life in a huge way and it is mostly in a bad way. I surround myself by people that speak a lot of slang and a lot of curse words so it was bound to affect my language, the way I speak has a lot to do with the people I spend my time

Speaking English in earlier centuries compared to now in the 21st century, you will find a harsh difference. Why is that? Many reasons, some which have varied over the years, have been pivotal to that point of English staying mature and proper or careless and slang. Three reasons explain clearly how the English spoken today is different from the English spoken in earlier centuries. The first is how the needs of people are changing.

“Language changes for several reasons. First, it changes because the needs of its speakers change. New technologies, new products, and new experiences require new words to refer to them clearly and efficiently.” The way we learn English will change completely when technology takes over. Accepting change in the American language will help people from different backgrounds communicate more efficiently.

Following Eckert (1989, 2000), I define linguistic style as a combination of a particular set of linguistic features distinguishing social groups. In explaining how styles are created, I draw on Kallmeyer and Keim (2003:30) who suggest “the construction of a communicative social style is connected with the formation of specific linguistic and communicative patterns and rules on different linguistic levels. Elements from all expressive levels are combined to form a unique expression

“I began to write stories using all the Englishes I grew up with,” says Amy Tan in her essay “Mother Tongue” (268). Amy is referring to the fact that she varies her type of language based on who her audience is. Once Amy Tan realized this, she began to write things with her different types of English, instead of just using one kind of English for writing books. Amy Tan’s personal life examples of different Englishes shows the idea that everyone has several different types of English of their own. Everyone tends to slant their language to appease different audiences.

Language change happens every day. New words are constantly being added and new dialects are forming. People have always argued about the causes of language change and tried to control the changes that occurred but ultimately they accomplished nothing. Languages changes and spread as a result of the people who use it daily. African American English and California English are both examples of the different ways language can change. People try to resist the changes in their language because they do not want to see it change. Language change is a natural process that can be affected by others but never stopped. This course has done an excellent job explaining how language change starts and spreads.

The subject of how technology is changing written English is a touchy subject; many people believe that our current technology is allowing us to become lazy. Text messaging being the ultimate reason we are taking so many short cuts when it comes to writing proper English. There are so many abbreviated words and meanings in text messaging, I sometimes find myself confused when I receive messages from people that I have to google what they are trying to say. I don’t want to respond and assume I know what they are trying say.

This essay is about how English has changed over the years. The essay explores how speaking English has changed, like some people have different ways they speak English and some people have the accent. It has changed in the way we write. Now days in the English language there is over 1 million words. Back then there wasn’t much words. English has changed in text messaging. Like now we make the words shorter like lol that means laugh out loud. They have done that because it’s a quicker way. The first text message was in 1992. English also changed in schools and universities. It has changed by now we have technology to help us find information or search up for meaning on online dictionary. This essay examines how English has changed over the years. There are around 800 to 2000 word that are used to speak the English language.