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when did people stop using proper English? i understand some people are slow at texting on their phones, and use these little shortcuts but when did that become the norm? i always use proper english when texting or on my computer, it makes it easier for people to understand what you're saying

2007-03-19 01:46:14 · 23 answers · asked by Chrystopher P 3 in Education & Reference Words & Wordplay

it's not a matter of age difference i'm seventeen, and it aggravates the hell out of me.

2007-03-19 02:00:28 · update #1

23 answers

When people became so lazy, to the point of not taking the time to write complete words.

2007-03-25 03:58:44 · answer #1 · answered by Fairy 7 · 0 1

that's actually a very difficult question to accurately answer because first you have to define what 'proper' english is. English is a living language, in that it incorporates words and phrases from other languages and also incorporates new words that are coined every day. While it is true that it seems to me (raising my own personal opinon flag) that texting and computer shortcuts have made the situation worse, the 'degradation' of the english language has been going on for much longer than that. At one time the books of Twain were thought to be an awful expression of the english tongue because he wrote in colloquial terms, and he is one of if not the greatest american writer! On the eastern shore of the chesapeake bay there is an island called 'Tangier Island'. The people who live there were so isolated (and to a certain extent still are, you can only get there by boat) they still speak english as it was spoken in Elizabethan times. The same is true (to a much lesser extent) about the folk who live on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The best book on it I have read is 'The Story of English' by McCrum, Cran, and Macneil. Having said all that, I agree with you absolutely that general use of the language has degraded to the point where a body just cannot understand what someone else is saying and it's a pity, because when those who move too far from the 'standard' english they will find it difficult to communicate in the business world and that will adversely affect their job possibilites. That part has nothing to do with political correctness of ebonics, etc. In order to do business of any kind one simply must make oneself understood by those they would work with. My apologies if this epistle is too much ado from up on a soapbox. take care

2007-03-19 02:58:18 · answer #2 · answered by Road Dog 2 · 1 1

I don't know, but I think that we are the last generation who will actually be able to spell complete words. At my nephews and nieces schools, they're allowed to use abbreviations. It really gets to me when an otherwise intelligent 14 year old, constantly asks me how to spell words that were easy for me by the age of 7. I had to tell them not to text me anymore on their cellphones because I don't understand what they're saying. Kids of today say shortcuts are easier, but why spell girl as "gurl", what's that all about?

2007-03-19 02:06:46 · answer #3 · answered by Taylor29 7 · 1 0

it became acceptable to some with the dawn of the internet. Then people didn't want to stare at a computer screen for hours and writing out completely what they wanted to say. As with everything else it has to be quick, short and if it means cutting corners so be it. I too am like you i still write out each word completely, use very little online jargon or abbreviations.

2007-03-26 08:23:15 · answer #4 · answered by Joesyl 2 · 1 0

Yep !...Especially if you are ancient, like me....(By the way, Ozzy English is a bit different to UK English and USA English, so allow on this site for differences between countries)....as for the sms text shortcuts, I am still learning them from my Grandkids...they think it is fun to send Granny a sms and she not understand what they are saying......
Anyway....have a great day, and patience in learning is the key !!

2007-03-19 01:52:36 · answer #5 · answered by ozzy chik... 5 · 0 0

When chatting and texting became popular. It's a lot easier to use short cuts instead of typing everything out.

2007-03-19 01:49:17 · answer #6 · answered by Sweet Pea 5 · 0 0

When teenagers and the business community decided that using abbreviations and acronyms gave them the ability to text or IM their friends or associates quickly in order to instantly stay connected. English is a flexible language and with faster, better and cheaper technology along with our need to multitask coded writing is here to stay. I for one need a cheat sheet to communicate with my children.

2007-03-19 02:28:05 · answer #7 · answered by MidnightRain 3 · 1 0

yeah I always use proper english because the shortcuts are so hard to understand...

2007-03-25 06:24:23 · answer #8 · answered by Hilary H 1 · 1 0

im 19 and it aggrivates me as well. i've actually stopped talking to people online and through text because of it. Most of what they try to send is hard to understand, and so i gave up on it!

2007-03-24 12:21:23 · answer #9 · answered by Over and Over 5 · 1 0

You are definitely right about that, especially when they use acronyms without putting what they mean. One suggestion I can make for you though is that you need to capitalize the letter "i" and start sentences with a capital letter.

2007-03-23 16:41:35 · answer #10 · answered by don n 6 · 1 1

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