Texting destroying the English language
Amanda Heidman
Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Opinion
Every language goes through changes, and looking back at the English language, we've come a long way from formal Shakespearean English to the language we speak today. What is in the future for our linguistics though? Given its popularity, SMS language seems to be the next big step in the way we communicate. If this is the case, we're in for a ridiculous-sounding future.
SMS language is the invented language of youths, used mostly in text messaging and instant messengers. However, this language is unfortunately being integrated into our spoken language. One needs only to refer to MTV to see this, with Paris Hilton's "My New BFF." "BFF" was perhaps the first term used in everyday language, but this vocabulary has been expanded to "OMG," "WTF" and a variety of others.
This form of modern shorthand makes communication easier and faster in the technological world, but in the real world it just sounds ridiculous. On top of this, hearing these terms spoken out loud hinders children's ability to differentiate between what is correct and what is not correct. The barrier between SMS language and proper English weakens and eventually disappears, and the two types of communication merge into one. When children are learning how to read and write and they begin using "u" instead of "you," and "2" instead of "too," it is obvious that there is a problem.
If this is what's in store for us for the future, there's not much hope for our language. English may not be the most beautiful language, it is definitely not as pleasing to the ear as Latin or French, but it has always had a sort of charm. With SMS language taking over, English becomes even more complicated and even less attractive. If people can learn to take an extra couple of seconds to say "Oh my God," instead of "OMG," there may be hope for the future of our language.
SMS language is the invented language of youths, used mostly in text messaging and instant messengers. However, this language is unfortunately being integrated into our spoken language. One needs only to refer to MTV to see this, with Paris Hilton's "My New BFF." "BFF" was perhaps the first term used in everyday language, but this vocabulary has been expanded to "OMG," "WTF" and a variety of others.
This form of modern shorthand makes communication easier and faster in the technological world, but in the real world it just sounds ridiculous. On top of this, hearing these terms spoken out loud hinders children's ability to differentiate between what is correct and what is not correct. The barrier between SMS language and proper English weakens and eventually disappears, and the two types of communication merge into one. When children are learning how to read and write and they begin using "u" instead of "you," and "2" instead of "too," it is obvious that there is a problem.
If this is what's in store for us for the future, there's not much hope for our language. English may not be the most beautiful language, it is definitely not as pleasing to the ear as Latin or French, but it has always had a sort of charm. With SMS language taking over, English becomes even more complicated and even less attractive. If people can learn to take an extra couple of seconds to say "Oh my God," instead of "OMG," there may be hope for the future of our language.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Brian
posted 3/23/09 @ 7:20 PM CST
The irony is that you write the title of your comment in truncated text speak by dropping the verb "is." This convention has become a staple of broadcast English, which is now spreading to other "disposable" two-letter words (e. (Continued…)
Jen
posted 5/13/09 @ 7:39 PM CST
I absolubtly agree with that article because new generation don't know about writing English in correct way but teachers should solving this problem by giving them lots of writing practices
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