photo by me

During my (many) years online, I have read many blog entries, discussion posts, forum entries, and bulletin board discussions about the use of language online. I have read about the way “young people” write online and how they don’t know how to construct proper sentences. I have read about the laziness of people who use shorthand online.

I typically shake my head and chuckle at these discussions. To me, what is going on is a regurgitation of the rules that someone’s third grade teacher told them. You must follow the rules! You can’t deviate in language!

One of the (many) problems with a prescriptionist approach to language is that it doesn’t take into account that language changes – a lot. It doesn’t take into account that technology may be driving language into a whole new incarnation.

There are many who will raise the battle flag against this. It is the death of the language as we know it, they will cry. It is the beginning of the end!

It reminds me of Chicken Little.

When Shakespeare made up words to use in his plays because there weren’t any words in use to make his point the way he needed it made, do you think the people rose up and bemoaned his pioneer spirit? When the OED includes new words that are in our lexicon, are they promoting the destruction of our society as we know it?

The New Zealand’s Qualifications Authority has decided that instead of fighting the change and progression of language, they are going to accept it (but not necessarily embrace it). What they call text-speak is now going to be allowed as acceptable writing on exams.

Of course there is going to be backlash. The article quotes a blogger (and interestingly enough, I couldn’t find this Phil Stevens in a blog – but a lot of people were using this quote as if he is a definitive voice on the subject) saying that this is not a smart move (I’m taking a little latitude in paraphrasing).

I think the New Zealand’s Qualifications Authority is being responsible. They are being progressive and understand that language is not stagnant and if comprehension of the topics is being met, then the way we reflect that can be flexible.

Thanks to Kairosnews for the link.