Teens are destroying the English language

[Cthulhu]

I agree with the mobile phone/FB comment on how they're gradually denigrating the English language. It is commonplace to see teenagers, adults even to tell their friends to 'text' them rather than 'send them a text' and to 'facebook' them, rather than to 'message them on Facebook'. But, it really is just an innate psychological trait of the human mind; languidness.

Or... "google it" instead of "Why don't you just search for it on google?"

Well, I believe Google is now an official English word, given that it's in the Oxford Dictionary now.

All this time I thought google was always an official word, haha. But can people actually just make up words which then become official?? o_o
Then again, if they didn't, there would be no words O_O

When Sergei and Larry were still at Stanford thinking up names for their company, someone wrote on their chalkboard "Google" what they actually meant was "Googol" which is a 1 followed by 100 zeroes. Just an interesting nerd fact.

If words are used often enough then why shouldn't they be added to the dictionary? (LOL ROFL LMAO are not words.)

[MuggedByReality]

Oh, I don't get how people mix up there and their. Or effect and affect.

There's a journalist in England, known for his conservative outlook, who deplores the use of "impacted" to mean "affected".

[stonecold]

Get over people using the wrong terms.

I hate it when the stock-market is described as 'volatile.'

Volatile means 'easily vaporised'.

There is nothing you can do about it and it just has to be accepted.

[iffets12345]

Get over people using the wrong terms.

I hate it when the stock-market is described as 'volatile.'

Volatile means 'easily vaporised'.

There is nothing you can do about it and it just has to be accepted.

nah it means unstable too I think.

[stonecold]

Get over people using the wrong terms.

I hate it when the stock-market is described as 'volatile.'

Volatile means 'easily vaporised'.

There is nothing you can do about it and it just has to be accepted.

nah it means unstable too I think.

I thought it has somehow evolved into that, but its initial meaning was the chemical one.

[iffets12345]

Of course Alot of those words become warped into general use

[darren94]

obviously if theres a quick way out for an informal context, cbs.

[QuantumJG]

Most research shows that children and teenagers generally have the capacity to switch between the teenspeak register and more formal varieties when required.

[citation needed]

Read the article I attached on the first page.  The one by Dr Carolyn Lee.

A very good article I must add. Whilst I agree with the premise that managerial, bombastic language often masks over meaning - an entirely separate and equally worrying problem -many of her observations pertain to her students - who are presumably, middle-class, well educated and proficient enough for Uni. Nowhere does she mention research to back up her observations.
I've seen examples where VCE students use 'dat' and 'der' in their essays (ie in a formal setting). Not everyone makes it to uni. Whilst I admit that I too on occasions use abbreviations on chat (ppl, m8 etc), the problem begins when internet jargon makes its way into formal prose or conversations.

Of course some students will do it.  But IMO those with poor literacy and numeracy skills probably know about it and don't really care from my perspective.  I know I don't have great spelling and grammar but I am constantly trying to improve it.  Those who don't recognise that non standard spellings in formal writing is not acceptable definitely need to address it.  But as I said, I doubt they care.  To some people (stupid I know) an uneducated persona is seen as a desirable attribute.   I 100% agree that textspeak is not for formal prose, but I think on laid back forums such as this, social networking sites, social interactions etc., it is perfectly valid.

This has always got me. My sisters constantly tell me off for putting up an interesting status update, whereas people are applauded for status updates about some crazy weekend. Having said that, the tables will turn when your in your 40's where being educated, rich and respectable are wanted attributes.

[binders]

nah it means unstable too I think.

I thought it has somehow evolved into that, but its initial meaning was the chemical one.

just curious, does anyone use the OED to look at possible semantic shift?
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/linguafranca/stories/2010/3084081.htm

[m@tty]

This has always got me. My sisters constantly tell me off for putting up an interesting status update, whereas people are applauded for status updates about some crazy weekend. Having said that, the tables will turn when your YOU'RE in your 40's where being educated, rich and respectable are wanted attributes.

LOL Irony

[Souljette_93]

^ I didn't even realise..just read it as normal.

[stonecold]

This has always got me. My sister's constantly tell me off for putting up an interesting status update, whereas people are applauded for status updates about some crazy weekend. Having said that, the tables will turn when your YOU'RE in your 40's where being educated, rich and respectable are wanted attributes.

LOL Irony

Even more so.  haha.  How could you not find that one m@tty!

The queens English is certainly not a requirement on this forum. 

[m@tty]

Ah, I saw that, but it is not actually wrong the way he had it.

"sisters" may mean multiple sisters, rather than erroneously referring to only one.

[stonecold]

Ah, I saw that, but it is not actually wrong the way he had it.

"sisters" may mean multiple sisters, rather than erroneously referring to only one.

ah, true!

[m@tty]

Ah, I saw that, but it is not actually wrong the way he had it.

"sisters" may mean multiple sisters, rather than erroneously referring to only one.

ah, true!

Pwned. ROTFLMAO-copter