Language is always evolving and the Internet has certainly speeded up this process. New technology has created the need for new words and ways of expressing and the change has been rapid. As we have become more reliant on our smart phones and computers, the way in which we communicate with each other in our everyday life has changed completely. It made it easier for us to interact with people across the world with a single touch through social networking sites, such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
The wider Internet and social media have become the main influence in changing language, especially English, which is considered the “lingua franca” of the Internet. They have created a universally understood slang that not only has found a way into everyday conversations, but also coined new words and had a tremendous effect on the English language and the way we communicate. Although can it still be called “slang” when it gains such an official status?
The use of different forms of English, like acronyms and abbreviations, has increased drastically and they have had a significant role in the new words that are being introduced on a regular basis. This emerging manner of communicating affects many different people in various ways. It is an interesting phenomenon that affects not only youth, but people from all age and social groups and across national borders. Since these changes have been so significant, there is disagreement on whether these changes have been negative or positive. The purpose of my thesis is to examine these views and present the arguments in support in support of each side .
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Internet English
1.1. Terms Used By linguists
1.2. The Need for Netspeak
1.3. Earlier Instances of Use of Abbreviations
1.3.1 Medieval Abbreviations
1.4. New Words and Abbreviations in Social Media
1.4.1 Internet “Slang” Abbreviations
1.5. Emojis and English
1.6. Other Internet Languages
2. Negative Effects of Internet English
2.1. Deteriorating literacy
2.2. Overusage of Netspeak
2.3. Shrinking Vocabulary
2.4. Adults setting bad examples
3. Positive Effects of Internet English
3.1. Social Media as a Preventer of Mistakes
3.2. Making Reading and Writing More Appealing
3.3. Reappropriation: Old Words, New Meanings
3.4. Merging of English with Other Languages
3.5. Netspeak Literature
Objectives and Core Themes
This thesis examines the evolution of the English language under the influence of the Internet, commonly referred to as "netspeak." It investigates the ongoing debate regarding whether these rapid digital changes act as a catalyst for linguistic degradation or as a positive, creative expansion of the language that adapts to modern communication needs.
- The historical context and linguistic origins of abbreviations and acronyms.
- The "netspeak" phenomenon within social media and its impact on standard literacy.
- The dichotomy between negative perceptions (shrinking vocabulary, poor grammar) and positive outcomes (increased engagement in reading and writing).
- The adaptation of English through emojis, memes, and the merging with other global languages.
- The emergence of new literary genres rooted in digital communication forms.
Excerpt from the Thesis
1.3. Earlier Instances of Use of Abbreviations
The way language is used today in posts - various spellings, abbreviations, new meaning to old words, uncommon speech patterns – is not new in English. In fact, modern Internet speak is similar to the system of abbreviations present in medieval times. In his book "Historical Linguistics and Language Change", Roger Lass states that for the first 1,000 years of this language’s development, there was no "standard spelling" and hence, there were five or four spellings for a word. During the Middle Ages, scribes in parchments or dried animal skin (Khan Academy). The writing process involved preparing the parchment and hand-copying the text. This was both expensive and extremely time-consuming. So logically, they tried to write as much information in shorter time and smaller space.
One of the most important skills which any student of medieval manuscripts and early printed books had to develop is an understanding of the abbreviations which was common in these texts. “Scribes and Scholars”, co-written by Reynolds and Wilson, gives a detailed description of the scribe’s hard work. Because of the expense of parchment and the need to reduce the size of books which were going to be stored, “scribes developed for Latin texts an elaborate system of abbreviating words and for replacing some especially common words (or common, formulaic phrases) with shorthand symbols” (52). The authors also state that abbreviations were such an established part of writing and reading Latin for so long that the system was carried over into early printed books, and fifteenth- and sixteenth-century printed Latin texts “present the same challenges as Medieval Latin manuscripts” (116).
Summary of Chapters
Chapter I. Introduction to Internet English: This chapter defines the linguistic terminology surrounding digital communication and establishes the historical precedent for abbreviation-heavy writing styles.
Chapter 2: Negative Effects of Internet English: This section details the critical perspective that digital communication undermines traditional grammar, encourages laziness in writing, and negatively impacts youth literacy.
Chapter 3: Positive Effects of Internet English: This chapter presents the counter-argument that social media encourages writing practice, fosters creative language use, and even facilitates new forms of literary expression.
Keywords
Internet English, Netspeak, Digital Linguistics, Social Media, Abbreviations, Literacy, Texting, Online Communication, Emojis, Language Evolution, Grammar, Vocabulary, Cyberlanguage, Standard English, Linguistic Innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this thesis?
The thesis explores how the Internet and digital communication platforms have influenced the development and usage of the English language, analyzing both the informal "netspeak" and its broader linguistic implications.
What are the primary themes explored in the work?
Key themes include the historical parallels between medieval abbreviations and digital slang, the impact on traditional literacy skills, the role of social media in language change, and the emergence of "netspeak" as a legitimate literary genre.
What is the central research question?
The primary objective is to examine the conflicting views on whether the evolution of English online represents a detrimental decline in standards or a positive, adaptive expansion of communication.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The work utilizes a literature-based research methodology, drawing upon linguistics textbooks, historical studies of manuscripts, and contemporary media analysis to compare various perspectives on language change.
What content is covered in the main body?
The main body is divided into three chapters: a theoretical introduction to Internet English, a critique of the perceived negative impacts on literacy, and an evaluation of the potential positive benefits and creative potentials of digital language.
What terms define the core characteristics of this thesis?
The thesis is characterized by terms such as "netspeak," "electronic discourse," "reappropriation," "digital literacy," and "linguistic evolution."
How does the thesis compare medieval writing to modern Internet language?
The author identifies that medieval scribes also used extensive abbreviation systems due to the cost and time-consuming nature of physical writing, suggesting that language often adapts to the constraints of the tools being used.
Does the research conclude that social media destroys English?
No, the research presents a balanced view, acknowledging critics who fear the "demise" of formal English while highlighting findings that suggest active digital engagement can actually correlate with improved writing and reading confidence.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Danira Mushani (Autor:in), 2016, The Development of Internet English under the Influence of Communication through Social Media, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/376909
