Incorporation of a few acronyms into everyday language. These days you sometimes hear students saying "brb" (be right back) to one another when they temporarily take their leave. I have also overheard "lol" (laughing out loud) in conversations among young people. However, these neologisms need to be put into perspective. Infusion of written acronyms into everyday speech is a common linguistic process—to wit, RSVP, AWOL, or ASAP. If a few more lexical shortenings make their way into general usage, that's nothing out of the ordinary."
Reaction: I think this quote is so dead on in referring to acronyms that have been around forever such as RSVP. This quote in and of itself proves the point of Naomi Barron that acronyms do not have the power to "bring the English language to its knees." Instead of changing how our language works and how we communicate with each other as some people think is happening, the only thing that new acronyms such as "LOL" and "BRB" are just being added in to everyday conversations, and usually are only used in texting and iming not verbally. No one thought that RSVP, AWOL, or ASAP were going to ruin language or deteriorate students writing and speaking skills. These acronyms are simply short and sweet ways of saying longer phrases. I really don't understand why people get so worked up over a student accidentally using lol or btw in a paper because when you think about it, it's really no different than a spelling error. It is a mistake and isn't appropriate for school assignment, but it certainly doesn't suggest that the English language is crumbling under the pressure of these crazy, scary abbreviations.
Reference: Barron, Naomi. " Educational Leadership:Literacy 2.0:Are Digital Media Changing Language?." Membership, policy, and professional development for educators – ASCD. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Sept. 2011. <http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar09/vol66/num06/Are-Digital-Media-Changing-Language%C2%A2.aspx>.
Related Resource: This article, by Aliza Sherman, suggests that there is no right or wrong way to assimilate "Social Speaking" into our everyday lives. We just have to realize when it is appropriate and when we should steer clear of LOLs and BRBs. http://gigaom.com/collaboration/how-social-media-is-affecting-the-way-we-speak-and-write/
Your reaction is exactly what I would have said. Just because a new generation is bringing in new "words" into the English language is no need to say that the language is going to ruin. We are simply, in a way, creating a shorthand for the language that can be written down and used in an everyday conversation. It just seems that older people just don't like things to change.
ReplyDeleteI completely aggree with you! I think its a little rediculous how worked up people are getting over all this. Language changes all the time. Throughout history language has changed dramatically! We don't talk the way we did 100 years ago but that doesn't mean we are any less intelligent!
ReplyDeleteI love what you said. I didn't even think about this and neither did any of the other blogs I've seen. But I totally agree with you. The older adults are just freaking out over nothing. I'm sure ASAP has been in a few papers from their generation.
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