Is the Internet killing the written word?
822423
People use slang on purpose; it doesn't mean they're any less intelligent. Most just find it quicker and so easier to type in short hand. That doesn't, however, mean that the people who do choose to do that don't understand grammatically correct English because, believe it or not, we still do write in text books with teachers pointing out errors =). In fact, I actually read an interesting idea the other day on the Internet, about how if people show they can write and understand slang, it actually shows they're more intelligent (something to do with being able to convert easily, almost between two different languages. Apparently it challenges the brain, and so is actually useful.)
530379
Language is constantly evolving. Sometimes the accepted spelling changes, sometimes so rapidly that it actually occurs between your typing and the words reaching the screen. \nSometimes, however, it's more a matter of an evil computer who awoke on the wrong side of the bed that day.
643527
yeah you make good points. I would like to point out though that in some other countries, there is a greater emphasis on spelling and grammar. \n\nThis sort of "lazy english", although prolific among the younger set all over the world, shows up in ridiculous amounts even in "normal" writing in the US. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen the word "websight" in articles published in the NY Times?!! It's scary. \n\nI can't think of any other specific misspellings right now (words that are written phonetically instead of correctly) in esteemed publications and the forums of the general public, but I catch them fairly often - if I see any, I will post an update here.
598428
Do you realize how completely annoying it is when people TyPe LiKe ThIs???  And words like beginnners, stockings, skirts answers all end in S, not Z!  Please, just because this is the internet doesn't mean we need to completely abandon basic grammar, spelling and formatting rules.\n\nThank you.
696115
Yes, I can be so much better understood with the written word. When I read I get lost in the lines inside the message. My fuel are the words that are spoken and written. Good question.....
795374
As a  teacher I have found that in most cases the use of the Internet is a positive research tool. Most students would rather click on the computer than go do real research in the library, but if you use the Internet correctly it can be a valuable time saver.  The down side is I have see so much plagiarism that students aren't thinking for themselves any more.... like all technology it is a positive tool when used with logic and for the right reasons.
978581
I know how irritating this seems. To me too. The only reason that seems feasible is that the language and how it's used are constantly changing.  The way we speak English now would be nearly unrecognizable to people living 400 years ago.  Phrases that were all the rage in my teens are now hopelessly out of date and the pronunciation of some common words has changed in the last 10 years. As grating as it sounds, "bored of" is probably a part of the river of language changing its course as it often does.  If you want some entertaining information on words and how they've changed try www.word-detective.com. It really broadened my view of language and made it easier to live with the occasional ear twisters like "bored of".
218427
The true answer to this question may make you just as sad as I am.  We are getting more lazy and as a result less intelligent as a country.  Because we can substitute single letters, numbers and symbols as real words, we are starting to take shortcuts.\n\nIt would not surprise me if in 20 years we have completely eliminated certain words because they are too complicated to remember.  This makes me think of the book "1984" and "new-speak."
405998
I totally agree with you.  I'm an "editor" and do find that too many people have not engaged spelling and sentence structure.  Are the "grade schools" teaching this properly? \nDon't people care about their writing techniques anymore???\nIt's a real shame!!!
548910
The Violation of chatting is about the only one that seems to get results. I have seen the F word the B word the S word\nand a few letters in between used openly and have yet to see one being removed. I am beginning to suspect that Y/A is not as Neutral as it should be.
195395
Have you see some of the spelling (I mean mis-spelling) of words and the the improper sentence structure here on *Answers?  Do you think this is helping us develop our literacy skills?  \n\nThe only way that I can think of how technology is improving our literacy skills, is we can do instant access to a wide range of reference sources on the Internet.  \n\nOne excellant site is:  www.refdesk.com  \n\nIt makes it easier to look up words, people, subjects, etc. than having to go get the dictionary and try to find the word.  So, being easier than the old way, I would say people are more likely now to look up words, so that would probably increase literacy.
941225
If this is an opinion based question, then my answer is yes, and no. Yes in that computers make people lazy (by using spell check,  abbreviations, etc.), and no in that people are free to choose to self-edit their own material (I did not spell check this, so I hope it meets with grammatical correctness guidelines). I do not believe that most people who own computers still know how to write a gramatically correct sentence or paragraph.
251095
Unfortunately, young people spend that much time “texting” (horrible word!) that this is becoming the only language they can understand or communicate in, even in forums such as this or their school work, essays, etc.  I can understand the shortening of words or phrases for mobile ‘phone use (for speed / cost purposes), but for general written use it is just lazy! Don’t these people also realise that this type of language when written looks extremely childish? Do they also not realise that writing words the way they do when "texting" will not exactly endear them to any potential employers? I wouldn't even grant someone an interview if "text" spellings were used in their application form.
550160
Well.. I'd say that it's just a part of evolving language..\n\nWhile chattimg and similar stuff, what ppl want is a quick exchange of ideas and opinions and being grammatically correct is not taht important than conveying the snese..\n\nWho knows with the ionternet becoming more commonplace than ever these days, tommorrow these words may be accepted by the Oxford ictionary as well.. Already there is a large num of abbreviations for which we know the meaning, but we may not be knowing the expanded form.. ( EX RSVP,OK )\n\nSo keep working on these short forms..
1126639
I find it frustrating to understand people sometimes.  I wish they would use less shortcuts like b4 and actually spell out the word.\n\nAlso people wHo TyPe LiKe ThIs should be removed immediately!!!
528336
Books are becoming obsolete, but reading is not.  You still have to read to use the internet and TV.  In fact, I think that reading is being strengthened by internet use.  Writing, appropriate and correct grammar usage, and spelling, however, are becoming worse due to internet use.
526709
No! there is no such thing as a vergin!\n\nYou third graders from Kentucky should stay off of the Internet.\n\nHooked on phonics did not werk four you, didit?\n\nor were you trying to speak Ebonics?\n\nThere is a spell check feature included on this service why don't people use it, rather than insisting on looking so ignorant?