The English Language

In the article “2b or not 2b”, David Crystal begins with discussing how others such as John Humphry argued that texters are “vandals who are doing to our language what Genghis Khan did to his neighbors 800 years ago. They are destroying it” (335). This is also the common belief of most people. People often argue about the bad points of technology over our language. However, Crystal believes that texting can improve children’s ability to read and write rather than hinder their literacy as many people claim. He also argues that not all texting are done in abbreviated words. Complex messages and institutional messages are often texted in standard form of

The result verified that there is evidence of a decline in grammar scores based on the number of abbreviations in their sent and received text messages (Swayne and Messer). In other words, the word abbreviations and punctuation short-cuts that famously used in text messaging can alter individuals’ ability to recognize and apply proper spelling, grammar and punctuation techniques in writing and daily life communication. If the uses of abbreviations are not controlled from the beginning, both sender and receiver of text messaging will be associated with how poorly they will perform on the test based on the level of standard literacy they have.

Never has a communications system played so many roles in our lives--or exerted such broad influence over our thoughts--as the Internet does today.

Language and communication between different cultures is complex; the future holds many technological promises that will make these complexities easier to bear. This dialect decline can be credited to the industrialization of communication which exploits the human interest of entertainment, which in turn, expands and simplifies human communication. Billions of people of all walks of life have assimilated to the language of modern technology and billions more are left in the dusk. “Media exposure can spread new vocabulary and give people in different regions an understanding of the “standard American.” (PBS) The internet has allowed people to communicate farther than ever before, share knowledge at light speed pace. We feel that we do not have time to type “hey that was very funny” instead we type “LOL” we have simplified terms in speech and have become accustomed to the internet world: speed equals success. Society’s entrepreneurs and astute minds are constantly

First of all, most people can no longer able to hold a conversation without looking at their phone every few minutes. Our ability to conversant is dwindling due to text lingo. As Nicholas Carr, said 1“Just as there’s a tendency to glorify technological progress, there’s a countertendency to expect the worst of every new tool or machine”. As I was walking through the mall one day I overheard a group of teen girls talking and every few words was either “omg”, “like” or “seriously”. Nowadays, when writing to friends common words are often shortened to save time, but what most people do not realize, is that people develop habits and after so many uses of text lingo the actual way to spell the word goes away.

Language is the most powerful tool when it comes to communication and establishing relations. The choice of words that a person decides would mostly likely determine the nature of relationship with the particular person being addressed. In most cases, people of the same age group or level have a common language they would ascribe to. With the advent of technology and the presence of many social networking sites, language is slowly changing to meet the demands and trends in the various social media platforms. Most words are now being shortened or other terminologies that are considered stylish or trendy being introduced. This is mostly common with the youths or the younger generation.

Would you send your potential boss an email that reads, “R U hiring”? I sure as hell, for your sake, hope not. We may text our colleagues and friends in such a manner but we also know when to switch the tone and grammar to make us seem a little more literate and a little less lazy, for certain occasions. So why do people still think texting, Tweeting and other abbreviated forms of communications are alternating the way we speak? That would be because it is, however, just not for the worst as most people are lead to believe. With the fast growing advances in technology the new generations are forced to accommodate it and by doing so, we’ve had to adapt to the new brevity in the way we communicate also referred to as “textspeak” as David Crystal calls it in his essay “Texting” he says, “its chief feature is rebus abbreviation” (Crystal 2). Abbreviating our language in text has helped us become accustomed to this new brevity, just like the way Twitter is helping, “users connect to people in ways they never could before.” Gary Goshgarian states in his introduction to Peggy Orenstein’s essay “I Tweet, Therefore I Am”. Does this mean that the way we speak and communicate with text and tweets is different from live speech? Some might say it is, they are correct, “…texting has become a preferred method of communication, the English language is being used in new and creative ways”, according to Gary Goshgarian on Kris Axtman’s article, “r u online?”: The Evolving Lexicon of Wired

Abbreviations such as lol (laugh out loud), brb (be right back), and ttyl (talk to you later) are commonly used when texting, yet are not really shown in formal writing. Students reported that text speaking formal writing. “Other students use these abbreviations and other speak text in their writing, but catches their mistakes quickly”. (Cullington 364). Supporting her research Cullington asked participants to complete questionnaires’’… the research hypothesized that texting and the use of abbreviations would have a negative impact on students. However, the results did not support their hypothesis. (Cullington 369).

‘Netspeak’ aims to communicate information as efficiently as possible, utilizing examples such as the acronym ‘ASAP ’and the ellipsis ‘Talk later’ to improve economy of expression. Some teenagers even adopt this language in informal spoken settings, which further spreads its usage among the Australian public. Even older generations who are not familiar with social media and prefers face-to-face communication uses ‘netspeak’ when talking with youths in order to be more relatable while reducing their social

We need to take care of words by making conversations but not manipulating them. I agree with McEntyre the words are being polluted like the air. We need to take care of the words so they don’t get lost. If we don’t take care for them it will consider a language abuse. A abuse that can change words to a abbreviation or lost of its meaning. Using a abbreviation is like not using the language right. They start to use words that are not even complete. In this world words are being lost without showing any meaning. I know I am guilty too for not caring for words and abusing the english language. I am used to not writing in complete sentences and always in a hurry to finish a paper or using abbreviation when I text. Please say they use abbreviation to save time but I have this habit of using abbreviations when I text. Other people and I are

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.

A controversial topic in the english language is how the internet changed language. Some ways that the internet has changed the english language is by adding new words and phrases to the english language vocabulary, another way the internet has changed the english language is by creating more english speaking people from around the world that learned english online, the last way the internet has changed the english language is by adding different “dialects” for different social media and blogging sites.

Everyone has a different interpretation of the word, “invention”. However the word is simply defined as; a new device, method of process developed from study and experimentation. An invention is just a mental fabrication; it’s a falsehood (Dictionary.com 2013).1 Although in the essays, “Why I write” by Joan Didion, “Life in a new Language” by Eva Hoffman, and “Basmati Rice: An Essay about Words” by Audrey Thomas, each author has their own view on the English language, how they each began inventing their own writing styles, and also their reasons for why they chose to become writers. These are the three things that make their definitions of invention very particular and their own.

Texting is a fairly new form of communication that has taken the world by storm. It became popular around 2001, and originally had its limitations, such as the 160-character limit. But now that technology has advanced, texting has followed along and is now a convenient, casual, and a more immediate way of communicating. So naturally, texting has evolved also in terms of the language used within it. We see this mostly in the form of abbreviations and short hand spelled words. Some people argue that texting has ruined the English language. Studies and observations have shown that the benefits of texting and cyber speak are much more broad then expected. Textisms have been shown to increase phonology skills, brain activity, creativity and provide a relatable outlet for students in education.

With mobile phones where the small screen technology is so constraining, texting and tweeting plays a significant role in how we conduct our daily communication. David Crystal wrote an article titled “Texting”, and believes the younger generation is introducing a new phase of texting where words are usually represented with acronyms (241). Crystal called this abbreviated text exchange a “textspeak” (243). Kris Axtman is also a prominent author who wrote an article, “R U Online? The Evolving Lexicon of Wired Teens” (247). His article focuses on teenagers and their dependency on the online technology. Axtman observes that teenagers develop a whole range of abbreviations while exchanging