Introduction
Throughout centuries languages undergo specific changes that tend to adjust them to modern realities. In the 21st century, English has faced rapid technological advancement that consequently led to modifications in the language, such as new abbreviations, derivations, and other features, which can be observed in emails and instant messages. Hence, under the influence of new technologies, English has adapted to the new reality by making communication easier and faster.
Definition of Variation and Technologies
Before delving deeper into the kinds of changes, it is first necessary to give definitions to variations and technology. For example, variation is “a change or slight difference in condition, amount, or level, typically within certain limits” (Babič & Voolaid, 2019, p.1). It is a widespread phenomenon that may be seen in language, community, philosophy, perception of the environment, and measured occurrences (Babič & Voolaid, 2019). Variation may be viewed as both a condition and a process of some cultural influences. It demonstrates how the community is growing and expressing its understanding via words, ideas, and actions (Babič & Voolaid, 2019). Variation simultaneously signifies life, continuity, and creativity, and as long as various terms, notions, styles, and approaches are employed, they, too, fluctuate. Consequently, variation describes changes in a language’s use that are related to contexts, social factors, or regions.
In turn, technology can be defined as systems and instruments that come from the application of scientific knowledge to real-world problems. New language traits unique to the digital platform have emerged with the growth and fast expansion of Internet use. These include, among others, growth in colloquial writing, inconsistent writing styles, idiomatic expressions, and the usage of new abbreviations in text messaging and Internet conversations (Lakhan Meena, 2021). Moreover, due to changes in languages, accents transform by adapting and incorporating changes through sounds, stresses, or pronunciation. Therefore, technology and its complexity stimulated the establishment of specific language transformations.
Computer-Mediated English
When it comes to the writing system of English, it is necessary to emphasize computer-mediated English in emails and instant messaging. Email messages are frequently sent without being proofread for syntax as well as for spelling or style, whether consciously or inadvertently. Email openers and closings can vary greatly, even in business or professional communication, from the typically official to the most casual, or they might be omitted entirely (Danet, 2009). Conversely, as instant messaging is simultaneous, it allows for real-time conversation with another online user (Danet, 2009). Both fields share similar features, such as the employment of excessive punctuation marks and asterisks to frame particular phrases for stress (Danet, 2009). Still, instant messaging can be freer in terms of expression.
Instant messaging additionally tends to involve comical elements. For example, in an effort to make up for the absence of visual input in the written language, comical depictions of actions or third-person verbs or nouns enclosed in asterisks are used (Danet, 2009). While using a single word in full capital letters just highlights it, writing a message in all uppercase is typically perceived as yelling (Danet, 2009). Rebus writing, where letters or visual symbols are used to represent words or sounds (i.e., “2night”), is not a recent invention (Danet, 2009). It additionally blends efficiency concerns with indicating participation in a group.
Features of Internet English
Finally, with the advent of technology, some traditional word-formation techniques, such as compounding, derivation, shortening, and others, have been passed down to the new terms in Internet English. For instance, in today’s information-intensive culture, long and ambiguous phrases will unavoidably be replaced by ones that are clear and succinct (Sun, 2010). Consequently, in modern network English, an abbreviation is the most common method of word formation (Sun, 2010). For instance, FYI (for your information) and BTW (by the way). Moreover, compounding has grown in importance as a word-building strategy for Internet English, and the seriation of compound words is among the language’s key lexical features. They typically evolved from terms that meant “network” in the first place, such as web, net, computer, internet, and online and involve examples, such as bandwidth, cybernation, or cyber stalker (Sun, 2010). As for the use of affixes, they help create a large number of new words that are simple to comprehend when increasing numbers of new Internet concepts emerge, such as the prefix “cyber-”, which creates “cyberspace,” or prefix “de-,” which makes “debug” (Sun, 2010). Thus, there is both the creation of new words and the establishment of new acronyms.
However, the characteristics of the changes brought into the languages with the influence of technology are not limited by changes in words or syntax since they additionally involve symbols. The emergence of Internet English not only broadens the English language’s vocabulary but also generates certain unusual signs that are often employed to convey emotions (Sun, 2010). Some academics refer to these symbols as emoticons, and examples include “:-),” which is seen as a regular grin, and “∶- D,” which is laughter. In this case, the networking world is a highly developed world for the language since, aside from changing the words, it incorporates symbols, giving them new meanings. This makes communication easier and more effective since it minimizes the time and effort needed for communication.
Conclusion
Hence, English has adapted to the new reality by making communication simpler and quicker due to advances in technology. The rapid development in Internet usage has resulted in the emergence of unique linguistic characteristics that are exclusive to the digital medium. The use of colloquialisms, poor syntax, excessive punctuation, and the usage of asterisks to frame specific sentences for stress are examples of such qualities that may be seen in both email and instant messaging. Abbreviations, such as “BTW,” compounding, such as “cybernation,” and the use of symbols are standard features of modern English.
References
Babič, S. & Voolaid, P. (2019). Variation in folklore and language. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Danet, B. (2009). Computer-mediated English. In The Routledge companion to English language studies (pp. 158-168). Routledge.
Lakhan Meena, R. (2021). Current trends of applied linguistics. Language Arts & Disciplines.
Sun, H. M. (2010). A study of the features of internet English from the linguistic perspective. Studies in Literature and Language, 1(7), 98-103. Web.