What do you think english will sound like in the next 1000 years?

Question

Reading up on the english language, I discovered that there was once a time (thousands of years ago) English sounded very little like it sounds now, after the Normans invaded British territory. I think it sounded more like todays German and the Scandanavian languages So ,How do you think it will sound like 1000 years? 500 years? 100 years? your thoughts.

Answer 1

Really intelligent question.

I think the big difference from (almost) 1000 years ago when the Normans invaded, is that today we have global communications. This will introduce new words and ideas into the language even quicker, while making sure, unlike many years ago, that patches of English can develop in isolation.

Back around then, the French, Italians and Spanish all thought they were speaking Latin.

The English langauge is so successful because it has been on the tip of the British and then Amercian tongues. The first spread the langauge to their Empire in the great land grab, often replacing more obscure local langauges, and the second spread it through international business and tv culture.

My predictions:

slang, as always, will become proper langauge over time

some ebonic patterns will become mainstream "we was there"

complex grammatical rules will be eroded by simpler rules that practice, not teachers, bring into being

complex spellings will be eroded and replaced ("altho", "nite")

language patterns from langauges such as Spanish and Polish will enter into the mainstream

older langauge structures will drop away and be replaced by simpler ways of structuring. For example, turning nouns into verbs. The Amercian style is to take a noun and make it a verb such as "you need a venue for your meeting .. hang on, I will venue your meeting for you"

Language always takes the smoothest, simplest path. Campaigns by people to "return to proper English" will always be doomed. There never was a proper English. It is a hashed up mix of Old German, Latin, Greek and countless additions by many other nations.

If you like this topic, read Bill Bryson's The Mother Tongue.

Peace.

Answer 2

I hesitate to guess. If we do persevere in the teaching and learning of the proper use of the English Language, it will remain as it is today with perhaps some minor changes. That however means bringing the student up to the standard level of the Language, not changing the Language to accommodate the unwilling students. Click 2 for Spanish click 3 for Slang etc

Answer 3

Well, I don't believe we will be here in 1000 years, or even 100 years, for that matter. I believe Christ is coming back very soon. However, I do know that even modern English as spoken by people on the street might cause someone from Elizabethan times to do a double-take. It is even difficult for most people to watch "Hamlet" (with Mel Gibson) and understand it.

Answer 4

well thousands of years ago it technically wasn't english...

but i think it depends on who takes over. If, for example, we are invaded by china for the next 700 years, chances are it will sound closer to Chinese.


I think in 100 years it will sound a lot less proper than what we consider it today. there will be more idioms and slang will probably normal (what's slang now won't be later)

lost.eu/21618

Answer 5

To tell you the truth we may not even be here for the next 100 but i have to say if some how we survived then there would be a lot more slang like usal

Answer 6

I think it will be alot shorter lol. Everyone today uses short cuts. It will probably sound like " Hi u, wat r u doin 2nite" or any other ways to possibly shorten it. Americans are lazy haha