technology Flashcards
paragraph plans:
- texting
- impact on vocab - Lindsay Johns
- social media
- caxton’s printing press
intro:
- a long time, in a galaxy far far away, all people strived to be the same. now there is ‘new hope’ as we enter an age of technology and diversity!
- The English language is always changing. I mean the idea that language should always stay the same is quite ridiculous really. nothing can remain the same forever, time wouldn’t allow it, and neither would technology. The language spoken over 2,000 years ago is entirely different from the everyday language that we use today; for example, the word ‘awful’ used to mean ‘in awe’ but now it is used to describe something as ‘really bad’.
Today, there are between 6000 and 7000 languages in the world with about 800 sounds. Over half of these languages are expected to die out within this century, including Romani and Yiddish. One language that has not only survived over the centuries but is growing from strength to strength is the English language. In recent years, the English language has evolved rapidly due to the advancements of modern technology. Despite having pros and cons, technology has played an important role in changing the English language and the way we communicate with one another by using new forms of communication, terminology, and code switching between all the different languages.
texting model paragraph:
We have all heard it before; from our grandparents, teachers, or magazine covers, that texting abbreviations are spoiling the English language. While reflecting on the addition of lol, brb, and gtg to the Oxford English Dictionary in recent years understandably feels unsettling, texting slang shouldn’t be seen as a corruption of the English language, but rather an evolution of it.
Many people have also voiced concern over the restriction technology places on the English language, whilst it is true that technological abbreviations shorten and quicken conversation, most of the time it is simply streamlining the process. By typing ‘ttyl’ to a friend, it doesn’t indicate that I don’t know how to spell the phrase “talk to you later,” but rather that we are so immersed and well versed in the English language that merely four letters can suffice in communicating a thought. ever thought.. they do have to know how to spell it in order to abbreviate it. So why not make it easier for yourself?
However, some teachers have argued that the spread of recently created acronyms have been incorporated into students’ writings which therefore gives them a harder time of ‘reiterating’ the importance of being able to distinguish between the ‘social networking language’ and ‘academic writing’. This means that the students might later suffer in university when it comes to writing a professional report in their field of interest. While the kids who got their first mobile phones in their mid to late teens may have spent a few years learning correct grammar, the younger generation essentially being handed mobile phones and ipads instead of dummies and books are losing the ability to write coherently and use basic grammar.
although, only 10% of texts are abbreviated, initialisms and abbreviations were in English long before texting
Lindsay Johns model paragraph:
The popularity of social media exchanges signifies that technology users have accepted quick social media interactions as a new way of life, however, teachers and parents are concerned that the attitudes and habits of tech-savvy generation are spoiling Standard English as ‘texting slang’ is infiltrating students’ school work, softening the distinction between formal and informal writing. For example, studies show that students who commonly used ‘texting slang’ online also reportedly avoided a higher level of vocabulary, and more than half of the students in another study reported that frequent texting was responsible for their difficulty in recalling Standard English.
- Lindsay Johns, prescriptivist, has some strong opinions on the influence of slang on young people, quoting ‘it sounds like they’ve had a frontal lobotomy’. Johns is one of many concerned individuals who can stand behind the point that slang, originating from texting, reduces children’s opportunities if they speak using ‘text words’. For example, teenagers have been warned that they are becoming un-employable after research shows they use a limited vocabulary of just 800 words.
To put this in perspective, the majority of teenagers should have developed a vocabulary of 40,000 words by 16 years old.
If that doesn’t open your eyes, this must. Research has found that almost 1/4 of boys and 1/7 of girls develop speech problems due to TV background noise which makes it difficult for children to understand adults around them and develop their language.
social media model paragraph
In the current day, the Internet is increasingly becoming a central informational medium that is transforming the way we learn, teach, and communicate. Social media offers a public platform that allows an exchange of thoughts and ideas through posts, tweets, and comments. Many schools now encourage students to use online resources to enhance learning and provide online websites that enable students to submit their work, check grades, and collaborate with peers.
McCallum, linguistic expert, argues that technology inspires us to be creative. I’ll give you some examples which might enlighten you to the idea that dreaded tech is not all doom and gloom. for example, it allows us to engage in conversations with people around the world at all times. think about all those Christmases or birthdays when our loved ones may be far away, i’m sure were not moaning about the death of the english language then are we?But rather, grateful for the invention of the computer which allows us mediated communication. Furthermore, new platforms have allowed us to extend our writing forms; blogs, online articles, links, dating sites. All of which contribute to our daily lives whether we like it or not. To go even deeper in, even the simple hashtag has its own thoughtful contributions, allowing us to relate to topics, engage with others, identify beliefs and create a commentary on the topic. Similar to punctuation, which provides an emphasis of feelings of beliefs.
development of lang (caxton) model paragraph:
Technology has improved the English language through time so new technologies shouldn’t be any different
a. Caxton’s printing press: helped in standardisation, cheaper process aided in mass production helping the distribution of English, aided in literacy
b. Broadcasting in 20th century: helped in standardisation and introduced new speech patterns.
