People seem to be completely by-passing the English
language in favor of glorified jive. In a hundred years
would we even recognize our own language? Do you
think that with all races eventually merging there will be
a blending of different languages to create a new global
language? Thank you for your thoughts on this.
2007-11-01 07:17:28 · 5 answers · asked by ? 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Yes, language has continued to change, as it always does. Personally I'm glad that language doesn't stop changing, because I like having words to describe new things like refrigerators and cars. Imagine what things we couldn't talk about if language change had been arrested in the time of Shakespeare! Just because language is changing does not mean it's getting worse.
Do I believe language will blend? No. Groups of people use language to distinguish themselves from other groups. Even if people no longer distinguish themselves by race they will want to distinguish themselves by some other way, and language is one way they can do that. This will probably continue to happen until the end of the world.
2007-11-01 19:07:24 · answer #1 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Language evolves. Just read something by Chaucer and then by Shakespeare. They were great writers, but it's problematical if Shakespeare could have fully understood Chaucer! Now, compare modern English to Shakespeare. It's very difficult to understand the great poet and playwright. Language will continue to evolve. I'm sure that in another century, it will be difficult to understand us, even when it's not a question of slang.
Some parts of this evolution are negative, but that's to be expected. Most slang expressions disappear after a time, only to be replaced by others. I fear this is an inevitable process.
2007-11-01 14:58:37 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine P...is for Poetry 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Language does evolve -- its the nature of things. I'm not that old and grammar and usage have both changed substantially since I was a kid. The only thing that bothers me is when it is intentionally pushed for business / political / showing-off or when useful abstract words are dumbed down (and there's a lot of overlap) -- it does annoy me when people use "literally" to mean "very"...
...that and it amazes me how fast people forget they act like "lit" (replaced by "lighted"), "proven," or "chink" are foreign.
2007-11-01 17:19:11 · answer #3 · answered by Jessica 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree, with the age of text messaging kids have forgotten not only how to spell, but also the meaning of words. We need to read to our children and correct them whenever possible. What is more appauling to me is that it is our younger generation which seems more apt to the morphing. Let's hope that an English teacher makes a difference to a high percentage of students and again, if you have children read to/with them!
2007-11-01 14:37:53 · answer #4 · answered by Sirena 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, I've thought of that, too. May not be so bad if we can all understand one another. BTW "What's up with that" is one of my favorite expressions. Started after watching too much Jay Leno.
2007-11-01 20:12:01 · answer #5 · answered by brenn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋