Moden Inglish
Posted by Tyrone
The decline in the proper use of the English language has resulted in various forms of ‘computer language’, new acronyms, and an unfathomable amount of unnecessary slang. In addition, general grammatical rules – for example, the use of the apostrophe – are being abandoned to an age of instant communication and fast-paced business. Some of the major spoken flaws, although some of these are not publicly recognised (even to great intellectuals), include:
‘for free’ – greatest offender – commonly used on commercial television
‘have’ replaced by ‘got’ – for example, ‘I got a dog at home’
‘peoples’ – this is a word, although some deny it, but it is generally misused
like – like is meant to mean ’similar to’, yet some use it as a conjunction
And the list goes on…
April 12th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Have you tried challenging a ‘like’ offender to getting through 5 mins, 10 mins or even half an hour without saying ‘like’? Watch them tear their hair out!
One of the beauties of language though, is that it is constantly changing. In 50 years, words and phrases that we regard as bastardisation of English will be seen by most as perfectly acceptable. It’s the transition stage that’s interesting, and tends to ‘get our goat’.
Does anyone know who decides when a new word makes it into a dictionary?
April 12th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
slang is not totally unnecessary, i for one use it all the time-our friend ron’s new favourite saying is “do ya’ dig it?” if you know what he means by that then you will realise that using slang in our talk is almost patronising the people that only know how to talk using it. If you understood that last sentence, you are pretty smart-I don’t think i worded it properly. What I’m trying to say is, in the fast paced busy life that i’m sure each scotch boy lives, sometimes it is necessary to bend grammatical rules to get along to where you need to be. As i was saying before about ron’s new line, he is not using it as a way of expressing what he’s trying to say, rather he is making fun of the people that do say things like that. So i think some slang is useful such as contracting words that aren’t meant to be contracted and other is pretty useless. Another view on it is that if you speak slang it makes you “cool” I’m not sure what i think on that but I’d be interested to hear others’ opinions. Sorry for the extremely long comment, but i have a lot of information to get through to people!
April 13th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
‘unnecessary slang’ – Well, everyone wants to do things quickly which makes slang mandatory no questions asked. As to what you call ‘computer language’ which needs to be distinguished from programming languages and its slang, well – not many year 7’s use the typing CD (if people have bought it) and from that it’s sufficient to conclude that most of us cannot touch type. So we resort to acronyms. n as long as u get ur msg across, then it’s absolutely fine.
True, reading all these acronyms and slang may take longer but it’s faster for the typer.
April 14th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Richard, I see the logic of your point of view, however I stand by my judgement that the English language is facing a decline. Firstly, Due to instant communication, people find that they should use not always the best word to describe something, but rather the quickest, or the shortest. Thus, through this we are shortening the length, as well as beauty and complexity of English.
I hope that this point has allowed you to see that ‘through change’, English is deteriorating to a language by which one cannot truly express oneself with as much complexity and detail as in previous times.
April 16th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Tyrone, if one forgets how to express oneself with as much complexity and detail as in previous times, you turn to a dictionary and also read classics.
April 16th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I agree, the English language is undergoing change.
But with what Albert said, it is faster for the writer, I must ask the question, IS IT FASTER FOR THE READER?
Without a unified language, slang is just words that mean something special to a particular group that understand it. The danger is forgetting that unified language and making slang part of your everyday vocabulary. What happens then is when you try to convey a message to someone who does not understand slang (or when debating or public speaking, or even worse talking to a teacher), they will not have a clue what you are trying to convey, which is the whole point of language. I dare you to go up to a teacher at school and say “do ya’ dig it?” (dweedidwee).
Slang, I have nothing wrong with it. It is the creative side of language creation and use, but also misuse. The major question is…will this “slang” become part of formal language, and no longer be “slang”!
April 17th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
slng is prtty cul u shld respct it mre i mean slng is bcomn mr ppulr by the day lol. slng cn be usd to convy mssgs in a shrt quick mnr without wsntn unnssry tm. in a ssiety that lvs fst wstn tim on lng wrds is no lngr nessry. ppl wnt to lv n the edg n slng s anthr way to ft mr into ur day.
I LV SLNG
I found this surprisingly easy to read, I must admit, but is it slang or just ‘text’ talk? Isn’t slang where new words are invented by a particular age group, cultural group or other group of some kind? The above message is just normal English with the vowels removed.
Mrs Sweeney
April 18th, 2008 at 9:29 am
As Tyrone has already stated, I am certain that English has been affected in numerous ways, mostly negative effects. English has been influenced by computer language and SMS language, and I believe that students are paying the ultimate consequence in using this type of language.
‘Slang’ is also part of our everyday language. As ALLAN has said, slang is the creative side of our language and it is not necessarily the most appropriate language. Therefore I believe although English has been affected, but not in a serious state.
April 18th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Haha its very true my sister falls into that trap all the time in a exam she wrote LOL
April 18th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I think that slang is more acceptable in English literature than ‘computer language’. If modern people start using this language in letters, what will become of the old traditions of correct grammar and spelling? I’m confused what we are actually discussing: slang or ‘computer language’. We should be careful not to use ‘computer language’ in our common speech, which some people are currently doing.
‘Computer language’ is perfectly okay on msn and sms, as long as it does not worm its way into English classes.
April 18th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I recon the best australian slang/phrase is “yeah,no”
theres a rly good book on aussi slang but ive forgotten wat its called.
i think “carpet grubs” are kids.
April 18th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I do agree with JXZ one one account-”Slang” is part of our every-day life and no matter how old-fashioned your views are, you’re not going to be able to change the course of the english language throughout the world. SO GET USED TO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(edited by the administrator)
April 18th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Well, JX i think you dont understand the full potential of slang. Man you would be blown away. Find me at school fora free example but after 10 examples i’ll be charging 50c a pop. yo.By the way im dweedidwee in just foirgot my password
April 21st, 2008 at 6:35 pm
In response to dragsteree’s comment, as opposed to Mrs. Sweeney, I found that I took nearly twice as long attempting to comprehend what he/she was trying to say.
And on the topic of ‘ Anonymous’ ‘ comment, I see the logic behind your ideas, however I must reinforce that growth is a part of life, and through an innocent chatroom, or perhaps msn, some of the worst slang offenders may emerge. We must not underestimate the power of change, as many commenters have been attempting to say, thus, when we come across negative growth where the very quality of the English language is affected, we must act immediately.
April 25th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
In respnse to Bernie (Dweedidwee) , I would like reinforce my comments. ‘Slang’ is not only the creative side of out language, but also may I clearly remind you that teachers are NOT teaching slang in class and they never will in the next decades to come. Please inform me of the ‘full potential’ slang’ and why ‘would I be blown away?’
I must accept that slang is the ‘immediate wall’ behind appropriate English, but we must act instantaneously in response to the detrimental damage it has already done on our language.
May 19th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
a note on Mrs Sweeneys comment, my dad challenged me to not say like and here is a direct quote of what he said:
“I’ll test you on how long you can not say like. I’ll time for LIKE 5 minutes or something”
July 28th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I think that the use of slang can be a very useful thing as it means that you can say things faster, to save letters. I don not see any harm in using slang in msn etc. because the vast majority of people understand it. However I think that in a formal letter or document correct use of the English language is needed. In response to Tyrone’s statement of slang shortening and simplifying the English language, sacrificing its beauty and complexity is understandable, but I think when people want to describe something in detail or use the correct words, they do. I must say this is a very engaging thread.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:51 am
that’s good tyrone. I like your point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 28th, 2008 at 10:55 am
nice tyronec, very nice, i lke your point of chew
July 28th, 2008 at 10:56 am
In response to DRAGSTEREE’S post…
I find this very easy to read and I’m sure you can also write using proper English, so what’s the harm in using slang?
DRAGSTEREE, i ttly agree wit u dude… a nice xampl…
(And for those who think that the porper form of English should always be used, soz 4 my spllin mstake n th prev blog!)
July 30th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Tyronec slang is the best thing to happen to english better than saying thy shalt doeth dont u agree so yeah like yeah like
July 31st, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Everything cnanges in life. Civilizations have changed there powers numerous times. Our bodies are undergoing change so why can the english language not change as we change and grow into men ourselves.
August 1st, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Everyone is saying different things. I have a challenge for you to answer:
WHAT DOES SLANG MEAN?
August 1st, 2008 at 6:11 pm
MCCC, you fail to see my point. Firstly, I respect people’s opinions and rights to use the language in which they speak in whatever way they choose. However, I am not suggesting that any action be taken to enforce that people only use old English, which I do not even use myself, and despite my strong stance in opposition to it, I do believe that when put used appropriately and in a decent way which does not disrespect any others, it can actually help society to progress not only linguistically, but in terms of art, freedom of expression and civil rights.
I am sorry if I have made my position clear, though it has changed slightly since (I am perhaps slightly more libertarian in moral views such as this). However, I refuse to take responsibility for making any suggestion that people are forced to keep language as it is. In fact, I am opposed to such conservative and in fact authoritarian views, and reserve my and other people’s right to use slang. It is only when words are created that do not benefit the language in question or are offensive in any particular way taht they should be seen as a negative impact to teh language. Even so, I would not be opposed to these people expressing themselves freely.