Language: A Follow Up Part One

It took a while, but I think I'm ready to follow up on the issue of language, particularly Internet speak and how it relates to our current vocabulary.  Ebonics, Goth speak, Punk speak, and various "other" types of language made its way into our society in the 80's and early 90's. For the most part it's stuck--even in the way people write.  My wife can contest to this a lot more than I can, but I see the problem is there.  Perhaps the idea of language as being "soft" and easily adaptable comes into play, but surely that can't be the only answer.  There must be a reason why Internet lingo is so sexy to be this easily adaptable. 

This idea isn't something new. It's as old as time.  Languages adapt and have gone through several dozen morphs over the course of years. From umlats to emoticons, it's what we understand and know--it's also something we've adapted easily and quickly but there is no governing body to tell us how we're allowed to talk or do things. Using "like" as a filler is annoying in and of itself, but using "OMG" takes annoyance to another level.  That goes for writing or talking. 

I've mentioned before that linguists really can't do anything about it because language does have a mind of its own. Is it that parenting is taken on new lows or is it the bombardment of usage of such language in media?  I'm going somewhere with this, really.  But it's going to be in segments. 

Comments of Language

A friend and I talked about language, and discussed how it's morphed over the last few years. One of the topics touched on was the use of Internet speak. When is it acceptable and when does it become a hindrance on someone's learning?  The problem I see, as a person with an English degree, is that the Internet lingo is being used all too often.  It's being used in papers and in casual conversation.  That's not so much the problem as it is when it's perfectly acceptable in public debate, conversation, discussion, etc...

Sadly, I feel that it will be used so much to the point, linguists will have no choice but to accept it--which leads to another point: can we go back to conversation without this lingo?  Probably not, I say. It's taken on a life of its own, but unfortunately I'm not doing this blog post any justice because I'm pooped.  I'm going to expand on this idea in depth probably this weekend.  Believe me, it will be more profound.