Computer slang has been around for decades and isn’t showing any signs of going away anytime soon. For many this isn’t a problem at all but for some groups of people it is a massive problem presenting real issues to the English language and more specifically to English grammar.
The argument is that as more and more people are adopting the use of computer slang it is changing the English language for the worse. This is because computer slang terms will become the norm and will make their way into the dictionary. The main problem people have with this is that computer slang isn’t seen as ‘classy’ and proper use of English grammar has always been held in high regard. Lowering the class of the English language, simply put, will give it a bad name that many people do not want to happen.
But is computer slang making real life changes to English grammar?
Words that have been “changed” due to technology [Image credit: Gareth Leyshon, Flickr]
What Exactly Is Computer Slang?
Computer slang became increasingly popular with the rise of instant messaging services such as MSN and is still used by a lot of people on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. It has also extended its reach to text messaging where it is used pretty frequently by a large number of people.
The main purpose of computer slang is to save time by reducing the number of keystrokes. This is usually done by substituting letters for keyboard symbols and/or making abbreviations. Yet, time saving isn’t the only reason that computer slang is used. Many people use it for joke purposes. Simply put, technology has changed our words!
[Read also: Technology – Are We Too Plugged in to it?]
Well.. English Isn’t A Static Language
The English language has never been a static language it has been created over thousands of years. Most years we see numerous new additions to the dictionary as the language is altered and changed. Because of this it more than possible that computer slang is changing English grammar. If a slang term becomes used more and more and makes its way into everyday use there is a chance that it will be added to the dictionary. However, this doesn’t just happen overnight, the process takes a number of years and many different meetings have to take place before a word gets approved.
Computer Slang Is Still Always Corrected
If a person is writing an essay for school or college, if they use computer slang they are going to be corrected and most probably marked down for it. For this reason it can be argued that computer slang isn’t having that big of an impact on English grammar. If people are constantly being corrected for using it and are negatively reinforced, be it by low grades or a telling off, it isn’t going to change English at all. People will be deterred from using it and it won’t become popular enough to start bringing about any real life changes.
It Does Make A Sense To Use
As was highlighted earlier the main reason for using computer slang is for time saving purposes. In this day and age it seems like the majority of people are pushed for time and wish they had more. Therefore using computer slang over proper English grammar does make a lot of sense. By saving a few keystrokes here and there you can really save a lot of time. Yet, the counter argument to this is how much time does it really save? Cutting one keystroke out or substituting a letter for a symbol isn’t really make that big a difference. In this instance using correct English grammar is the most rational choice.
[Read also: 5 Computer Tricks to Use Your Computer More Efficiently]
So Is It Making A Difference Or Not?
The conclusion that has been reached is that although using computer slang does change English grammar a little it isn’t making too much of a real life difference. For it to make a real difference it would have to be acceptable for use on things like job applications and essays, which it is not. However, things could change in the near future but who can predict these things?
Do you think computer slang is threatening English language and grammar? Tell us in the comments.
OK, it is all about time saving. Actually I’m not a fan of all these new waves of slang. it doesn’t make sense when you try to communicate with someone not from the IT area. E.g. When I Skype with my mom (typing) she doesn’t understand when i saw her – she facebooked me (well, it is the lightest example but still).. so, I’m completely against computer slang.
Couldn’t agree with you more. These computer slang will certainly confuse them isn’t it? Well.., at least your mom knows how to use Skype. Mine doesn’t even know how to switch on a computer 🙂
Hi ,
Now a days we are so addicted to these kind of slang which makes our typing better and faster ,but it is wrong way we are following …In my View !! Thanks for sharing bro 🙂
I did see and receive quite a lot of text messages with computer slang. It has become a common thing which people nowadays have already got used to! I don’t see any problem with this actually, as long as they use computer slang for informal communication and still remember how to spell correctly when it comes to formal writing that should be fine! 🙂
Yes, you are right. There will be no issue if someone is using it for casual communication but the fact is we are so addicted to these slangs that sometimes unwillingly we use them in our formal communication too.
I’m sure even professionals are using it in their emails too. People these days can totally get it. However, even it has become a common thing in communication, I don’t think texting lingo is hurting English language at all.
I never knew that I’m using computer slang on texting till I read your post haha. Thanks for the info.
Text slang saves time and allows us to send more words in 1 text message. Most people use it nowadays, right?
Tell you the truth I don’t know much of that slang or lingo. Most of it is Greek to me. I hear and see some people talking with abbreviations and I go huh, what chu you talkin bout Willis. I know it’s short and fast if you understand the language so to speak, but not everyone gets it. Probably more so older folks. I hear teachers sometimes complain that their students use it in the papers they have to write too.
When I’m sending emails to my colleagues, I usually add something like LOL at the end of it. We totally get it. However, I’m totally agree with you that texting lingo is posing problem to certain people especially the older folks.
There is actually an issue about computer slang here in our country a few years back. Students apparently has low performance in spelling and proper English due to computer slangs. But the school are making a move to make things right and correct them before things get worst.
Well, it’s not only used by students these days, it has actually moved over to the business/professional world. No more capital letters, no punctuation and lots of abbreviations. We are seeing more and more people using computer slang!
Slangs have become a part and parcel of one’s life now a days. People use slangs not only while typing, but even in daily writing work. I read somewhere, that a lot of teachers have reported that students these days are making use of slangs while writing answer sheets, and this has brought a serious impact over the english usage and grammar. Thanks for sharing this thought provoking post.
That really happened? Students really used texting lingo on their exam sheets? OMG!
Computer slang has actually taken up a great deal of space of our everyday English and have thoroughly messed up the grammar as well. We need to be more vigilant about our language. Great share.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Fatima.
hello peter
computer slangs are common these days and yes they are used as shortcuts to save pur time but this is affecting us. i sometimes write them during class on my notebook. but we should take care of proper english so that it does not affect the formal communication. it is okay with friends.
My thoughts exactly!
Computer slang are changing the English grammar. So we should take care of these things, when we use these type of languages.
Yes brother it has made all of us go Lol. Rofl and btw I must tell you it’s pretty convenient to use! 😀
its really funny how people have changed the meaning of words. they say 2 instead of to or too..LOL…this is seriously not good because it is changing our habbits
These are really changing the english grammar. As the use of computer slang are increased the grammatical potion will be changed.
I totally agree with you that slang language is changing our grammar , sometimes while attempting exams i start writing slang work like , instead of You i write only u , after that i came to to know that i am not chatting with friends , i am attempting exams 😀 lol
Computer slang has already changed the way of writing.
My young brother got scolded several times in school for writing these slangs like ‘ur’ , ‘n’ for ‘and’ & several other slang.
You can use it on facebook and in whatsup but don’t make a habit in life otherwise when you write on paper with pen. You will realize your blunders when you do proof read 🙂
Recently featured new words that do not exist in the rules of the English language, such as “u” for you and “r” for are. This because of the slang language, and the use of means of communication such as email and mobile. Over time, new words will appear.
No matter whether slang is hurting the English language, language itself has never been a static thing. This is just the latest form of change we are experiencing. I’m sure my grandparents heard my parents telling each other everything was ‘keen’ and they thought the world was coming to an end with the English language heading over the cliff first. What is it that makes us so attached to these words the way they are? Do we consider them uneducated because they’re not on job applications and marked as wrong on essays?