How the internet is changing language.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-10971949

This an article on the BBC website written by Zoe Kleinman. The article explores the many different aspects of written communication through technology, and Kleinman gives her view on how it is affecting language, and if this is a negative thing.

Four different aspects of online communication are spoken about in this article - 'Super slang', 'word play', 'txt spk' and 'word thief'. The article begins with the discussion of a court room questioning with Christopher Poole. Poole was asked to define a list of internet slang during the questioning, such as 'rick rolling'. He had a discussion with BBC news, in which he spoke about how he believes it is a positive and interesting thing to see the way that the internet is changing language.  To quote Poole, "Language itself changes slowly but the internet has speeded up the process of those changes so you can notice them more quickly.".

The first subtitle 'Super slang' explores the effect the internet is having on Ukrainian language, and how noticeable it is becoming. The main focus is on the negative impact internet has had on language, and how it has made language and some gestures more aggressive and derogatory.

'Word play' follows this title, where Kleinman talks about some 'cult websites' using 'cult dialect such as 'LOLcat'. The language is purposely incorrect, but even so the 'LOLcat' has become an internet phenomenon. Professor Crystal then talks about the fact that these websites have become online language games. It is said that this phenomenon is extremely fashionable at this moment, but it is unlikely that it will last.

Kleinman continues, and now discusses 'txt spk'. She has discovered that texting language is expected to consist mostly of abbreviations, but in reality only 10% of this language is abbreviations. Text language seems to be made up of vowel-free abbreviations of singular words, rather than of entire phrases. The article continues to give examples of some abbreviations that are frequently used, and explains their meanings. Kleinman finishes with a quote from Mrs McPherson - "Does this belong in our language?".

The final subtitle 'Word thief' continues with a discussion with Mrs McPherson. She begins with highlighting new language found through technology such as 'To Goole' and 'App'. McPherson also comments on the fact that the term 'social networking' has only recently been linked to the internet, changed from its previous defnition - The use or establishment of social networks or connections.

Overall, I found this article to be very interesting and helpful if you are looking into the effect of technology on language and so I would recommend it.