English language
By mipen2006
@mipen2006 (5528)
Australia
January 21, 2007 7:15am CST
What is happening to our language? Will English as we know it be a thing of the past next century?
I teach English to adults in Thailand, but I realize it's not the same as most young people use to communicate today. Are the students wasting their time learning today's English?
3 responses
@unusualsuspect (2602)
• United States
29 Jan 07
Why would your students be wasting their time? Language is always changing, but what you're teaching today is what's being used today, and that's what your students need to learn. If they become fluent in English and use it on a regular basis, then they will adapt their usage as the language goes through its changes.
You seem to be referring to the slang that young people use, but that's always changing, too, and much faster than the main language changes. Give your student a good understanding of standard English, and they'll probably pick up the slang on their own.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
30 Jan 07
Thank you for your very thoughtful reply; I cannot dispute your comments. However, the point I was emphasizing is that I teach grammatically correct English, but I rarely hear English spoken that way in general conversation, or read well written English on forums. I will always do my best to teach them the correct way, but must also point out the changing face, and shortcuts of our language as well.
1 person likes this
@unusualsuspect (2602)
• United States
30 Jan 07
I see your point. But we all tend to be a bit sloppy in everyday conversation, and the internet encourages that, I'm afraid. Especially when people are trying to get paid for what they say. :-)
We also have to take into account that many people don't get a good grounding in language use these days. Some of the writing on the web goes far beyond just sloppiness or being in a rush. Literacy is going downhill, and that's reflected in the way people write.
@Jaytech (2251)
•
29 Jan 07
I live in the UK & I can barely understand what the younger generation are saying these days. They use a combination of text talk & street slang. With words such as Dis, Dat & Da Uver.
I find it really unpleasant not only to hear but read as well, as I've come across quite a lot using it right here in myLot
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
29 Jan 07
With the mix of hip hop/rap slang and the abreviated style used on the Internet, I see our language on a downhill slide. Lucky we've got the beauty of old music and understandable lyrics to fall back on.
