“Recent advances in technology are ruining the English language.”

“Recent advances in technology are ruining the English language.”

English is a language which dates back to the 5th century. During this time Britain was being invaded by the arrival Germanic tribes. This moment in time in Britain, people spoke a Celtic language. But most of these people were pushed out to where Ireland, Wales, and Scotland exist currently. These tribes had spoken in similar languages which developed into what is we call, “Old English”, today (450-1100 AD). Old English doesn’t look or sound like English today at all. However our modern day English still shares it ancestry to Old English. In 1066 Britain was invaded by the French king, and English and French were divided into classes. This was the period of Middle English (1100-1500); English was the prevailing language but had mixed with many French words. This all led to “Modern English”, which is then again divided in two. ‘Early Modern English” (1500-1800), had been a time when, English had developed a change in the pronunciation of its words, it was also the known as the time of the famous playwright William Shakespeare, and was known to be a time where printing became more popular. This later all developed to, “Late Modern English” (1800-present); the main difference between this and, “Early Modern English”, is vocabulary. After the evolution of English over the years, Britain had colonized many different places around the world, and so there become varieties of English (accents and dialects). In present day, the English language has evolved completely due to the advancement of technology. Technology has put forth an evolution of words that is sometimes mixed with numerical figures, creating a whole new word, yet comprehensible to the current generations. Examples of technologies that revolutionized the language would be the internet, text messaging, international media, etc. Although there is evidence that supports the evolution of English and how it has ruined it, there seems to be a controversy over this topic. Some people believe that evolution of language is good thing and that this has improved communication. I believe that advances in technology are ruining the English language.
The first point of technology that I will discuss why it has ruined the English language will be the internet. The internet is not just ruining the English language but is completely eradicating it. Although the internet has a major influence in our lives, people have changed their enlightening style and aren’t reading books. If an individual for example doesn’t know word, they would go look up the word in the dictionary, instead in present day; they would pull out their smart phone or computer and search the word through the internet (Debate.org). Although in the end they do receive the meaning the way they received it has been changed completely. The email has altered the structure of the letter as a communicative tool. Back in the day if a person wanted to communicate with someone far away they would take the time to write a letter, which would reach them in maybe a week or more and now, we send an email, and we receive replies almost instantly. It is creating a new language, including new conventions and new abbreviations, “… such as IMO (in my opinion), FWIW (for what it’s worth)…” another idea that comes to our senses is when were, “reading”, words that are in the uppercase means signifies, “shouting”, but when there is lower case it is regarded as an accepted form (English Language Experts). Adults agree that all these new acronyms actually make younger generations, “…sound very ignorant”.
The innovation of technology has brought a new form of writing through text messaging. “…Penmanship for illiterates”, one critic called it (Time Magazine, 2013). Texting isn’t considered a form of writing rather it can be thought of as a spoken language. No one really talks, like the way we text, but is able to be read. Educators have also realized that student’s works have distorted over the last decade. “One study, which observed “Generation Txt”, students (in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade), noted that as text-speak, use had increased…scores on grammar assessments had decreased” (Techopedia, 2012). New words are being created at a pace where a number of them are being added through popularity. Although English has been evolving constantly from, “Old English”, and so on, the language presents itself to mysterious grammar. Texting is creating its own grammar in essence. Abbreviations don’t really have any literal meanings rather they, “signal basic empathy between, “texters”, easing tension and creating a sense of equality” (Time Magazine, 2013). It is sort of like conveying an attitude that doesn’t really mean anything. The fact is no one really seems to think about it consciously, but the expression starts to craft a drift over time.
Last but not least, through the influence of social media, technology has desolated the English language. Expression of media is causing people to lose their minds and create new words. If something is heard on television it will spread almost instantly. We start to communicate in slang, creating no mutual feelings (Debate.org). Over the years English has changed, pronouncing words have shortened to abbreviations and which the other person that you’re trying to communicate too is able to understand. The music industry illustrates this for us. For example the phrase, “You Only Live Once”, (YOLO referred more popularly), recited in a song by artist Drake. The phrase spread so fast that on social blogging websites; had pictures or so called memes, which became quite popular. People saw videos of public doing random and crazy things and before commencing it they would shout out, “YOLO”. The years of English have evolved considerably, back in the day people would talk with respect, appropriately and with dignity. Presently some of us still hold those values but will slowly start to eradicate with the future generations to come. Culture has been so intermixed that English has changed its true words to freedom of expression but with no significance.
To reiterate, the evolution of the English language has been so revolving due to the advancement of technology that it has crushed its way of communication. The internet has been big part of this; formats have changed and the way an individual receives information, communicating through text messaging is similar to conveying an attitude that doesn’t really mean anything and of course the social media; where information is spread directly into the public. There many more factors that shows that technology is ruining the English language. But the question to ask oneself is, “What are we going to do about it”?
BIBLIOGRAPHY

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 Perry, Paul. "The Impact of Technology on the English Language." EnglishLanguageExpertcom RSS. English Language Experts, 28 July 2010. Web. 09 Oct. 2013. .

Bibliography:  "History of the English Language." History of the English Language. English Club, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2013. .  "Is Social Media Diluting the English Language?" Online Debate Website. Debate.org, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2013. .  "Is Technology Ruining the English Language?" Destruction of English. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2013. .  "Is Technology Ruining the Language? Not on Your Life – It 's a Sign of the times." Is Technology Ruining the Language? Not on Your Life – It 's a Sign of the times. Australian Mobile Telecommunication Association, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2013. .  "Is Text Messaging Ruining the English Language?" Techopedia.com. Ed. Techopedia Staff. Techopedia, 7 Nov. 2012. Web. 09 Oct. 2013. .  "Is the Internet Ruining the English Language?" Debate Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2013. .  A,, Lou. "Technology Is Ruining the English Language – R U Wit Mi?" Controversial News Controversial Current Events Intentious. Intentious, 28 Feb. 2012. Web. 09 Oct. 2013. .  McWhorter, John. "Is Texting Killing the English Language?" Texting Killing the English Language. Time Magazine U.S., n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2013. .  Perry, Paul. "The Impact of Technology on the English Language." EnglishLanguageExpertcom RSS. English Language Experts, 28 July 2010. Web. 09 Oct. 2013. .