Is the web killing our language?

The Wonderful World of IM

Is instant messaging on the web killing our language? It is not uncommon to find conversations like this:

Online A : Hey! How r u?
Online B : Fine. TQ. Wat bout u?
Online A : LOL. Do u hav 2 be so formal?
Online B : I m bz now. Can we chat later?
Online A : k k. ttyl
Online B : C ya!

The amount of abbreviations used in such a simple conversation is astounding. Everything on the Internet is supposed to be fast and even the language can not escape from it. Some experts are worried that this phenomenon will be detrimental to language development and destroying our ability to articulate properly. There are cases where students are using this type of language in their school works.

However, Kristen Philipkoski refutes this idea in her article 'The web not the death of language'. She noted that we are moving into a new era of expression. The Internet has got more people writing and it is a good thing. It should be seen as a platform for writers to express themselves in a creative manner. A study also showed that instant messaging users are being more particular about spelling out words correctly.

Brian Paltridge (2000, p.106) noted that languages are ‘a resource for making meaning rather than a set of rules.’ When using languages, users are constantly making choices such as expressions. In the world of instant messaging, users opt for shorter words to get the message across quickly. More importantly, no meanings are lost despite the usages of abbreviations and acronyms.

Portable instant messaging (IM) devices such as the Sony Mylo encourage instant messaging on-the-go. The debate continues, is IM good or bad for us?
Source: Sony Mylo

Michael Halliday (1985) stated that the ways in which we understand language lies in the study of texts and there is two notions to understand texts: context of situation and context of culture. ‘Netizens’ who are so used to the online culture have no problems apprehending the abbreviations or acronyms used on the Internet.

In my opinion, I believe this ‘instant messaging language’ should remain within the context of its origin: instant messaging. It is acceptable to use ‘LOL’ and ‘TTYL’ when chatting online but it should be avoided altogether when writing an article or email and it should never be used outside the online context of situation.

References:

Halliday, M & Hasan R 1985, Language, context and text: aspects of language in a social-semiotic perspective, Deakin University, Victoria.

Is txt mightier than the word? 2003, BBC News, viewed 22 October 2007, <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2814235.stm>

Philipkoski, K 2005, The web not the death of language, Wired, viewed 22 October 2007,
<http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2005/02/66671>

Platridge, B 2000, Making sense of discourse analysis, Antipodean Education Enterprises, Gold Coast, Queensland.