In my opinion, most all change, evolution, and revolution in our world boils down to a few basic ideas, or catalysts. One of these catalysts for change (or lack thereof) is technology. Technology, and the rate at which we adopt new technology into our lives, is rooted in so many of our social patterns and the lifestyles we live.
As I’ve mentioned before, I am a true lover of language. Words are so powerful and allow us to be who we want to be. Words teach us, allow us to escape, and make us wise. With words, almost anything is possible.
With regards to technology, language is evolving at a faster rate than ever before. Through texting, tweeting, blogging, and more, we are able to play with words, create new ones, and easily share them with others. The rate at which we are able to share our words is exciting and promising; on the other hand, we abuse language by shortening words, using slang, and becoming less and less formal. We have all sent a text or two using gotcha, I’ma, ur, wanna, and the list goes on. I think (you asked for my opinion, right?) these shortened phrases are fine in moderation, but when they are turning up in articles and in children’s school papers, we have a problem. So many words in the English language have mutated or completely disappeared over centuries. Novel words are created, such as “blog” and “tweet”, which are not yet even recognized by my Microsoft Word 2000.
Dont’cha Wanna Know Where I Got This Idea?
There is an interesting article in the Fall 2009 edition of GRAMMYŽ, an online publication for members of the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (synonymous with the Grammys). The article discusses the idea of bands using longer and longer names to portray a statement. Anna Barie of the band These Are Powers says of statement bands, “There are different ways that people are communicating now – online and texting and ‘tweeting’. So the language is getting played with more, and that gets reflected in band names.” And, while the ways in which people are communicating now is certainly reflected in band names like They Might Be Giants and I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness, technology affects language in all avenues.
