* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
LINGUIST List logo Eastern Michigan University Wayne State University *
* People & Organizations * Jobs * Calls & Conferences * Publications * Language Resources * Text & Computer Tools * Teaching & Learning * Mailing Lists * Search *
* *
 

Ask-A-Linguist - Message details
Subject: Is Twitter destroying the English language?
Question:
Dear linguists,

My name is Vy. Some people says that twitter, along with instant message and text message is destroying the ability to use correct grammar of people who speak English. However, some say that it is such a ridiculous idea because people are born with grammar and nothing can take it away from us. So, what do you think about the effect of Twitter on the English language?

Thanks,
Vy

Reply:
Dear Vy,
The analysis of twitter texts does not reveal any particular grammatical 'abnormalities' or deviations of what people would consider the basics of English grammatical structure. However, we may slowly see an emergent 'twitter-specific' style as a result of the limitation of character input as well as other norms that are naturally developing in the use of this medium. Or twitter users may adopt or transfer the stylistic norms of media that users consider similar (e.g. diaries, etc.).

Evidence of the 'complaint tradition' --whereby observers of language are alarmed and chagrined at changes seen occurring in language--occurs at every introduction of new media (telegraph, telephone, etc.), and as you can see, English is still with us. What is deemed 'correct' grammar (prescriptively) also changes over time, as speakers' usage changes. While newer media may play a part in (and perhaps in some cases hasten) changes in societal linguistic norms, norms (and grammatical structure) will change over time anyway. If they did not, we would still be speaking Old English (in terms of grammatical structure), or by way of a stylistic example, today's newscasters would still adhere to the style and stylistic norms of, say, 1940s broadcasts.

You may be interested in some of the recent popular work by Naomi Baron, who addresses many of these issues.

Best wishes,
C. Rowe

Reply From: Charley Rowe    click here to access email
Date: Aug-09-2009
Other Replies:
  1. Re: Is Twitter destroying the English language? Joseph F Foster    (Aug-10-2009)
  2. Re: Is Twitter destroying the English language? Elizabeth J Pyatt    (Aug-10-2009)
  3. Re: Is Twitter destroying the English language? Susan Fischer    (Aug-09-2009)
  4. Re: Is Twitter destroying the English language? Anthea Fraser Gupta    (Aug-09-2009)
Back to Most Recent Questions
Page Updated: 27-Nov-2009

Please report any bad links or misclassified data

LINGUIST Homepage | Read LINGUIST | Contact us

NSF Logo

While the LINGUIST List makes every effort to ensure the linguistic relevance of sites listed
on its pages, it cannot vouch for their contents.