Bad Grammer
Posted on 09/17/2011 9:29:58 AM PDT by mamelukesabre
It has recently come to my attention that cell phones are profoundly changing the world in ways we may not realize. Kids are growing up learning the shorthand spellings of words commonly used in cellphone text messaging. These misspellings are bleeding over into their non text messaging life. This is not good in my opinion. But this is a small thing compared to what is going on with kids in other parts of the world.
In countries where modern technology is common and the Latin alphabet is not traditionally used, kids are learning to text message their native language using a simplified Latin alphabet. I am talking about the middle east and south east asia specifically. Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, India, Iran...use complex alphabets and are not practical to use for text messaging. Vietnam uses a highly complex variation of the latin alphabet that cannot be utilized on most cell phones, if any. They are gradually dropping the complexities and using the simpler european latin alphabet.
I believe we are witnessing a gradual shift to the world wide use of the standard latin alphabet and it is all because of cell phone proliferation and the internet.
Coopers, Cobblers, Candlestick Makers and Buggy Whip Manufacturers agree with you. ;)
Apart from the bad grammer, we’re losing the ability to personally interact. We were at a gathering a while back, and kids standing right next to each other were texting back and forth. If they can’t verbally put together a sentence, should they question why they didn’t get the job?
Yes, and it also affects their ability to carry on a conversation.
They have no speech or verbal communication ability.
“like ya know what I mean, blah, blah, you know?”
And the always appreciated,” I’m just saying”.
That's a healthy adaptation to the limitations of early versions of the device. It will be less necessary as devices improve (the iPhone and its Android competition).
I believe we are witnessing a gradual shift to the world wide use of the standard latin alphabet and it is all because of cell phone proliferation and the internet.
Just another example of English's proliferation. Computer languages generally use English. Non-English documentation on their use is scarce. If you google for answers to esoteric programming questions, you will come across blog entries that mix programming English amidst Asian or Cyrillic text. Often, in English-language posts on programming topics, you will detect a distinct foreign accent in the poster's syntax and word usage. Information processing is the future, and non-English speakers are at a disadvantage, which they must try to overcome.
How is the hegemony of the Anglosphere a bad thing?
You need to pay closer attention.
:)
It started with the beatniks/hippies of the early sixties, and each of their decedents have become worser and worser—and now only a few (relatively speaking) old f@rt dinosaurs even notice that anything is wrong....
It isn’t from my perspective, a bad thing at all. In fact its good for me. But from the perspective of the older people in southeast asia and the middle east, it is probably a little bit scary.
But there could be a serious consequence.
I’m thinking a “lord of the flies” lite. When there is a disconnect manufactured between the older generations and the younger generations, the young people tend to run amok. Confusion and disorder can damage an economy and cause people to become extremists of one sort or another.
Roll Call:
Old F@rt Dinosaur?
Present!
I noticed the computer/internet effect on language world wide years ago. it was only recently I became aware that the cell phone effect is orders of magnitude more profound than a PC. heck, the typwriter had an effect on non latin utilizing languages a hundred years ago...but only a small one. cell phone text messaging is HUGE!
I dnt C Y ur so worid bout d wa kdz wrt 2day. It won’t B lng b4 it wl B part of d Webster’s dxNre.
Knew i couldn’t be alone...
Serously, you make a good point, and I would only add that the revolution really started with the computer.
Most asian languages have a transliteration in latin characters for use with computers.
so how long before chinese kids can’t read chinese characters?
Not many people use “cell phones” anymore. What people are using now are more like hand held computers with voice capability. I rarely ever use my ‘phone’ to talk on.
That solution for that? Free smartphones for all!
It's always been my PC-incorrect, racist theory that the reason why asian students seem to do so well in school is because simply in order to become literate in their native language, they had to master the skill of rote memorization.
Bad Grammer
No reason they shouldn’t learn characters. I did, to about a 2nd grade level. There exists a phonetic system called Pin-Yin that uses the latin alphabet and phonetics. Each syllable of the pin-yin written sentence equals one Chinese character.
In Japan, children learn three written languages. Kanji and two others whose names I cannot remember. All three are written forms of the Japanese language. I think one uses the western alphabet as well.
Hira-Gana
Kata-Kana
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