"LOL". ":D" "ttyl". These are just a couple examples of abbreviations found in the language of computer and SMS text users of mainstream society. Teenagers, gamers or people who talk online are usually the ones who use these abbreviations and symbols to talk to others. We use these made up words to simplify what we want to say. For example, the term "what's up?" has been simplified to just "sup." Society probably did get lazier and that's why words are simplified. But there are words in a typical English dictionary that are found under their abbreviations. Abbreviations are done in lieu of writing out an entire word.
This trend should just be accepted rather than frowned upon. The English language has gone through so many changes throught many centuries. Therefore, why should this time be any different? If you think about it, it's no different from when the Scandinavians used the symbol "æ" and then it got changed to the letter "a". But then again, speaking in this manner probably won't last very long since slang words and abbreviations are constantly changing. Many abbreviations such as "2morrow" or "2nite" aren't even used that often anymore.
This way of speaking, as many people should know, is not at all considered to be formal. Everyone knows that you would never write "ROFL" in a formal essay or in a resumé. There is a time and a place for everything and slang words and abbreviations are best meant for when you're socializing with your friends or people who actually understand computer language. You would never see anyone talking like this with, say for example, a teacher. What people need to realize is that computer language is not a way to speak formally. There is absolutely nothing wrong with talking in such a manner, but one should use it on their own time and not when you're doing formal writing. That's the main issue a lot of people are concerned with; the attempt to merge the computer language with the English language.
Who are we to know if computer language won't become a formal way of speaking in the future? But for the time being, everyone should know the fine line between slang and formal writing. It all comes down to common sense.
Geraldine, your practical approach to this week's assignment is what drew me to your post.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your argument: that laziness and constant shortcuts are not necessarily the "evils" of English, but need to be used in the right circumstances under good judgment.
Although other students have suggested the notion of putting a definitive end to all this abrvtd 4LPL4 nUM3R1C4L nonsense, I find their suggestion rather ignorant of human nature.
Humans are reluctant to change, so we should accept this trend as long as it is contained within the parameters of informality and is not introduced into formal situations. Resumes are not ready for any ROFLcopters at this time.
I really enjoyed your post, you are very succinct in making your point in AND out of the classroom. See you in two weeks! :)
Hey Geraldine! I completely agree with your point of view. I believe as well that slang and abbreviations should be kept inside texting and social networking. It is very easy to understand why it is a way of simplifying our words and making the things we do faster and easier. This is why we are starting to see it come up in formal pieces of literature but I agree that it shouldn't. Also, it's very true when you say that abbreviations like "2morrow" have already stopped being used but they have developed into "tmrw" or "tmr". This language will continue to change throughout the years and I will be interested as well to see if it one day becomes a formal way of writing.
ReplyDeleteCya L8tr! :)
A great, straight-up analysis of the topic. I agree with you saying that people know the difference between the time to use textisms or just slang in general and standard English. One thought that you stirred in my mind is what exactly is textism to be defined as. Most may call it pure human laziness, but maybe textism is simply a new language being stemmed from another. Just like English was branched off from Germanic, maybe it is now at the point where it is giving birth to a new, more odd language. This is just another way the human race is moving on from old ways, walking became a hobby rather than the only means of transportation, and fire is no longer the only thing to keep us warm at night. Textism doesn't hold great significance to us now, but I agree when you say language, just like anything else, is subject to change. I'll won't pay it much intention until then, but if I'm around when it happens, don't be surprised if I LMFAO.
ReplyDeleteHey Geraldine, I really enjoyed reading your blog, I think it was very well written all the way down to the grammer you used, the sentence and paragraph structure and how you kept to your opinion for the whole blog and supported it. I completely agree with you about how slang is changing all the time and like you said words like "2morrow" or "2nite" aren't even used anymore because now when people want to say "2morrow" they have simplified it even shorter by writing it like "tmrw". I also agree with you when you say people should know not to use slang in formal writing or a resume, like you said its common sense. But when it comes to talking to your friends there really isn't a problem with using slang or anything even though some people say that it affects your writing because your so used to writing in slang. I could agree with that though because even when I am writing formally I sometimes catch myself writing in slang but in a way it might be a good thing because it makes you more aware when your proofreading and thats important.
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