Just FYI, the English Language is Evolving
Nowadays, the English language is going through some major changes which is mainly due to the influence the younger generation has on it. Abbreviations are frequently being created to decrease the time taken to text or type, but are these actually words? Are they appropriate to use in every day conversation?
Acronyms such as "LOL" or "BFF" are replacing words used in every day speech and as a consequence standard English appears to be deteriorating. There is an increase in slang used in speech, particularly in the younger generation.
The younger generation is surrounded by social media which means it has a high influence in their lives. Furthermore, slang and abbreviations are perceived as an essential key to using and contributing to social media sites such as Instagram and Snapchat. Therefore, children are growing up surrounded by acronyms used as words so they cannot be blamed for discerning them as normal contributes to English.
Betty Birner, from the Linguistic Society of America, says "Language is always changing, evolving, and adapting to the needs of its users. This isn't a bad thing". However, most adults admit that they can't understand parts of conversations the younger generation have between themselves. Why would the English language change if a large part of its speakers can't comprehend the new words?
Birner explains that the English language "changes because of the needs of its speakers change. New technologies, new products, and new experiences require new words to refer to them clearly and efficiently". Ergo, the mind-boggling new words are being created as a consequence of the mind-boggling miracles made from modern technology.
Despite the fact that this evolutionary jump in language is apparently natural, what about the people left behind? The question is, should parents be worried about not being able to understand their children and should schools encourage or discourage these changes?
Many teachers are worried the effect slang could have on student's grades as many teenagers have begun to be unable to tell some formal words from informal words. Some schools have even gone to the extreme and banned slang from their premises.
The majority of the older generation appear to associate teenagers who use slang with gangs or lower social classes. However, they have a very discriminating and stereotyping view as most would be shocked to learn that slang is used all over the country and in all social classes.
Furthermore, slang is an essential part in the English language developing. This is because a lot of slang that was used in later years has become part of everyday conversation nowadays. For example, some slang from the 1920's is completely understood today. People have no problem understanding words such as "crush" or "fall guy" or "heebie-jeebies" which was slang in the 1920's .
Therefore, overall, even though the new slang emerging these days appears to be daunting, experts insist that is an entirely natural course of nature. The English language has been highly changed since the times of Shakespeare and will continue to adapt to the new cultural aspects of the world which will appear in the future.
Source: http://www.linguisticsociety.org/content/english-changing
Acronyms such as "LOL" or "BFF" are replacing words used in every day speech and as a consequence standard English appears to be deteriorating. There is an increase in slang used in speech, particularly in the younger generation.
The younger generation is surrounded by social media which means it has a high influence in their lives. Furthermore, slang and abbreviations are perceived as an essential key to using and contributing to social media sites such as Instagram and Snapchat. Therefore, children are growing up surrounded by acronyms used as words so they cannot be blamed for discerning them as normal contributes to English.
Betty Birner, from the Linguistic Society of America, says "Language is always changing, evolving, and adapting to the needs of its users. This isn't a bad thing". However, most adults admit that they can't understand parts of conversations the younger generation have between themselves. Why would the English language change if a large part of its speakers can't comprehend the new words?
Birner explains that the English language "changes because of the needs of its speakers change. New technologies, new products, and new experiences require new words to refer to them clearly and efficiently". Ergo, the mind-boggling new words are being created as a consequence of the mind-boggling miracles made from modern technology.
Despite the fact that this evolutionary jump in language is apparently natural, what about the people left behind? The question is, should parents be worried about not being able to understand their children and should schools encourage or discourage these changes?
Many teachers are worried the effect slang could have on student's grades as many teenagers have begun to be unable to tell some formal words from informal words. Some schools have even gone to the extreme and banned slang from their premises.
The majority of the older generation appear to associate teenagers who use slang with gangs or lower social classes. However, they have a very discriminating and stereotyping view as most would be shocked to learn that slang is used all over the country and in all social classes.
Furthermore, slang is an essential part in the English language developing. This is because a lot of slang that was used in later years has become part of everyday conversation nowadays. For example, some slang from the 1920's is completely understood today. People have no problem understanding words such as "crush" or "fall guy" or "heebie-jeebies" which was slang in the 1920's .
Therefore, overall, even though the new slang emerging these days appears to be daunting, experts insist that is an entirely natural course of nature. The English language has been highly changed since the times of Shakespeare and will continue to adapt to the new cultural aspects of the world which will appear in the future.
Source: http://www.linguisticsociety.org/content/english-changing
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