Digital Technology and the English Language

There is no doubt that the computer and digital technology in general have had an impact on the way language is used today. Should we be worried that the digital world is changing language? While it may still be too early for us to answer this question definitively, it is an issue worth exploring. Since English is my mother tongue, I will be speaking from that perspective, although I am sure that many of the issues raised here will not be unique to the English language.
I have discussed in other posts the concerns that teachers have about their students’ use of text speech affecting their writing ability. Posts made on social media have often drawn the ire of purists of the Queen’s English because of the lack of correct spelling and grammar that is often encountered. However, the issue goes deeper than students writing poor essays or English language purists getting perturbed by bad spelling or grammar. The troubling concern is that some of the sources that were once trusted with providing correct information with regards to spelling and grammar are now guilty of those offences. There was once the belief that it was printed in newspapers or was read by a newscaster on radio or television then we could trust the accuracy of the information. Too often we see mistakes with spelling and grammar cropping up among these once trusted sources. The issue seems to stem from the race to be first with the story. The internet, with its fast-paced methods of getting information out, forces news sources to be less vigilant with issues surrounding spelling and grammar so that they can keep up with their rivals.

The English language used in the United States of America (USA) has become a “global language” partly because of the influence USA has had on the development of the internet and digital technology. The English used in the USA, especially as it relates to the spelling of words, is different from what is spoken in other parts of world like England, Canada and the Caribbean. It is quite common for users of British English to be found guilty of making spelling errors because of word processing applications correcting the spelling to reflect US English.
Does the spelling and the grammar matter? There are those who believe that spelling and grammar are inconsequential if people are able to understand the meaning of the words communicated. Others on the other hand argue that it is important because it is an indication of the level of literacy one possesses which can be important for making certain decisions. Daffern, Mckenzie and Hemmings (2017) note that placing specific importance on spelling and grammar is directly related to improving students’ literacy.

There are those who argue that instead of eroding the English language the internet has broadened the language. Several new words have become a part of the new vocabulary because of the internet. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), which for many represents the authority on English words, has been consistently updating its dictionary as more internet-derived words become part of everyday usage. For a few years the OED has even added abbreviations like IMHO (in my honest opinion) and LOL (laugh out loud) which are commonly used in text speech or on social media (Ionescu, 2011).
In my opinion, although the English language has been significantly affected by digital technology and in some cases less value and attention are paid to correct spelling grammar because of this technology, ultimately the benefits of the technology on the use of the English language will outweigh the concerns. There is greater access to the language now more than ever before and more options in getting assistance with spelling grammar. It therefore seems that digital technology will do more to improve literacy than harm it.

References
Daffern, T., Mackenzie, N. M., & Hemmings, B. (2017). Predictors of writing success: How
important are spelling, grammar and punctuation? Australian Journal of Education, 61(1), 75-87.

D. Ionescu. (March 26, 2011). OMG! LOL: Internet slang added to Oxford English
Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.pcworld.com/article/223432/OMG_LOL_Internet_Slang_Added_To_Oxford_English_Dictionary.html

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