The Language of the Internet and Texts.

Technology is taking over the world. And with any sort of conquering, a new language follows. If you can't understand it then prepare to be called a 'noob'.

With an increase in technology, specifically laptops and smartphones, accessibility to the internet has never been easier. One can go on the internet, essentially, whenever and wherever. However, back in the days when the internet was first becoming popular, usage of it was very limited. Those born in the mid 2000s and after have never heard of the most commonly used phrased whenever someone was using a computer: "GET OFF THE INTERNET, I WANT TO GO ON THE PHONE!" Back then, time on the internet was precious and you could say this was why internet slang/speak exists. (Probably not, but seems plausible!)

In the early days of the internet, around the 90s, what one could do on it was very limited. The thing that really took the world by storm was instant messages. The internet offered you the chance to talk to anyone anywhere around the world, without being on the phone and without using 'snail mail'. In a bid to save time and effort on chat rooms and instant messaging site, internet slang/speak was born.

At first internet slang was just merely abbreviations and initialisms. For example, instead of constantly writing 'I've got to go now' to a random stranger or friend, time for going was extended with the initials 'GTG'. But if you were talking to someone you were going to talk to again, 'BFN' (bye for now) or 'TTYL' (talk to you later) were used.

This simple, quick and easy language was so revolutionary to the way everyone spoke on the internet, that it quickly became the language for texting on those clunky old Nokias with the dial keys being the keyboard. With texting being very frustrating, annoying and slow on these RETRO phones, internet slang was very fitting. Commonly used initials and abbreviations on phones were: 'HRU' (how are you), 'BRB' (be right back), 'thx' (thanks) and more. If you didn't understand this then you're looking like a fool. My Nan thought she understood textspeak and when hastily sending a text in response to a miss call from my dad, she informed us she was at funeral, "lol!" (She thought it meant lots of love… #AWKS!)
                                                                                                                         

But is this new written language taking over the way we speak? There are elements that are being incorporated into spoken language. For example, instead of laughing, some people just say 'LOL' (laugh out loud) and when in shock, some say 'OMG' (oh my god).

Some people are worried that this new way of speaking is ruining the English Language and that many young people are not using Standard English. David Crystal, honorary professor of linguistics, says that when you analyse a text but when you actually analyse it you find they're not using this new language. He adds, however, that Standard English is a necessity that should not be dropped!

By Matthew Harrison