The future of grammar (another rant)....

[garebear]

I read as much history as I can. I’m genuinely interest in it. Although some dates are stuck in my head forever (July 4th, 1776; 1865, 1945, September 11th, 2001), I don’t bother myself too much with committing new dates to memory. I don’t feel that knowing an exact date is nearly as important as knowing WHAT happened.

But I’d be interested to know the unknowable changes in language, especially concerning those which changed British English to the American form. I teach English to Chinese people and, although it rarely emerges, the spelling difference does rear its head. It is always a quick lesson (they are mostly interested in spoken English anyway), but it gets me to thinking.

Why the changes? Why did colour change to color? From flavour to flavour? And so on.

The only reasonable answer I can conjure up is that, someone, somewhere, realized how pointless and stupid it was to include the extra letter. Indeed it was and I’m glad that Americans, as a people, had the fortitude to eliminate it.

But now we stand at the precipice of a new frontier, the digital age. One which pits the flow of quick ideas against the vanguard of the old school, the type-set mentality that pour over spelling, basic grammar and harshly check your semicolon for proper use.

I can’t help but think that they are the old guard of a dying breed and, given as such, will be looked upon by history, not as guardians, but as old codgers.

Language changes. It always has. Even within the American realm, anyone could be blown away by the difference between a letter home from the Civil War and email from Iraq or Afghanistan.

I say let our language be more reflective of the way we communicate with each other, and less bound to old and obsolete rules. I say let us spell words, like I did as a child, in the most logical way because, in the end, and let’s face it, we are all using spellcheck when we have to, and there is no honesty in that.

[King Shizzo]

I read as much history as I can. I’m genuinely interest in it. Although some dates are stuck in my head forever (July 4th, 1776; 1865, 1945, September 11th, 2001), I don’t bother myself too much with committing new dates to memory. I don’t feel that knowing an exact date is nearly as important as knowing WHAT happened.

But I’d be interested to know the unknowable changes in language, especially concerning those which changed British English to the American form. I teach English to Chinese people and, although it rarely emerges, the spelling difference does rear its head. It is always a quick lesson (they are mostly interested in spoken English anyway), but it gets me to thinking.

Why the changes? Why did colour change to color? From flavour to flavour? And so on.

The only reasonable answer I can conjure up is that, someone, somewhere, realized how pointless and stupid it was to include the extra letter. Indeed it was and I’m glad that Americans, as a people, had the fortitude to eliminate it.

But now we stand at the precipice of a new frontier, the digital age. One which pits the flow of quick ideas against the vanguard of the old school, the type-set mentality that pour over spelling, basic grammar and harshly check your semicolon for proper use.

I can’t help but think that they are the old guard of a dying breed and, given as such, will be looked upon by history, not as guardians, but as old codgers.

Language changes. It always has. Even within the American realm, anyone could be blown away by the difference between a letter home from the Civil War and email from Iraq or Afghanistan.

I say let our language be more reflective of the way we communicate with each other, and less bound to old and obsolete rules. I say let us spell words, like I did as a child, in the most logical way because, in the end, and let’s face it, we are all using spellcheck when we have to, and there is no honesty in that.

Oh Rly?

[garebear]

Oh Rly?

Is a typo the best you can come up with?

Try harder.

[Metabolic]

NOT BODYBUILDING RELATED, LET ME FIX THIS

[King Shizzo]

I read as much history as I can. I’m genuinely interest in it. Although some dates are stuck in my head forever (July 4th, 1776; 1865, 1945, September 11th, 2001), I don’t bother myself too much with committing new dates to memory. I don’t feel that knowing an exact date is nearly as important as knowing WHAT happened.

But I’d be interested to know the unknowable changes in language, especially concerning those which changed British English to the American form. I teach English to Chinese people and, although it rarely emerges, the spelling difference does rear its head. It is always a quick lesson (they are mostly interested in spoken English anyway), but it gets me to thinking.

Why the changes? Why did colour change to color? From flavour to flavour? And so on.

The only reasonable answer I can conjure up is that, someone, somewhere, realized how pointless and stupid it was to include the extra letter. Indeed it was and I’m glad that Americans, as a people, had the fortitude to eliminate it.

But now we stand at the precipice of a new frontier, the digital age. One which pits the flow of quick ideas against the vanguard of the old school, the type-set mentality that pour over spelling, basic grammar and harshly check your semicolon for proper use.

I can’t help but think that they are the old guard of a dying breed and, given as such, will be looked upon by history, not as guardians, but as old codgers.

Language changes. It always has. Even within the American realm, anyone could be blown away by the difference between a letter home from the Civil War and email from Iraq or Afghanistan.

I say let our language be more reflective of the way we communicate with each other, and less bound to old and obsolete rules. I say let us spell words, like I did as a child, in the most logical way because, in the end, and let’s face it, we are all using spellcheck when we have to, and there is no honesty in that.

And you are teaching others? Oh the death of grammar  

[sync pulse]

My sister is an English teacher/former high school principal...She teaches English as a second language to asians...Her favorite motto is, "Abbreviations are a sign of an abbreviated intellect."...and really she is right.

[chaos]

My sister is an English teacher/former high school principal...She teaches English as a second language to asians...Her favorite motto is, "Abbreviations are a sign of an abbreviated intellect."...and really she is right.

I bet she would shit herself at how terrible her brother writes.

[King Shizzo]

I bet she would shit herself at how terrible her brother writes.

Lee Priest is on his way.

[garebear]

Dear grammar champions (which, ironically, goes to the heart of my post) what say you on the gist of the rant?

[Dr Dutch]

The French language has hardly changed in 200 yrs.

[King Shizzo]

I read as much history as I can. I’m genuinely interest in it. Although some dates are stuck in my head forever (July 4th, 1776; 1865, 1945, September 11th, 2001), I don’t bother myself too much with committing new dates to memory. I don’t feel that knowing an exact date is nearly as important as knowing WHAT happened.

But I’d be interested to know the unknowable changes in language, especially concerning those which changed British English to the American form. I teach English to Chinese people and, although it rarely emerges, the spelling difference does rear its head. It is always a quick lesson (they are mostly interested in spoken English anyway), but it gets me to thinking.

Why the changes? Why did colour change to color? From flavour to flavour? And so on.

The only reasonable answer I can conjure up is that, someone, somewhere, realized how pointless and stupid it was to include the extra letter. Indeed it was and I’m glad that Americans, as a people, had the fortitude to eliminate it.

But now we stand at the precipice of a new frontier, the digital age. One which pits the flow of quick ideas against the vanguard of the old school, the type-set mentality that pour over spelling, basic grammar and harshly check your semicolon for proper use.

I can’t help but think that they are the old guard of a dying breed and, given as such, will be looked upon by history, not as guardians, but as old codgers.

Language changes. It always has. Even within the American realm, anyone could be blown away by the difference between a letter home from the Civil War and email from Iraq or Afghanistan.

I say let our language be more reflective of the way we communicate with each other, and less bound to old and obsolete rules. I say let us spell words, like I did as a child, in the most logical way because, in the end, and let’s face it, we are all using spellcheck when we have to, and there is no honesty in that.

U b cray.

[Howard]

I read as much history as I can. I’m genuinely interest in it. Although some dates are stuck in my head forever (July 4th, 1776; 1865, 1945, September 11th, 2001), I don’t bother myself too much with committing new dates to memory. I don’t feel that knowing an exact date is nearly as important as knowing WHAT happened.

But I’d be interested to know the unknowable changes in language, especially concerning those which changed British English to the American form. I teach English to Chinese people and, although it rarely emerges, the spelling difference does rear its head. It is always a quick lesson (they are mostly interested in spoken English anyway), but it gets me to thinking.

Why the changes? Why did colour change to color? From flavour to flavour? And so on.

The only reasonable answer I can conjure up is that, someone, somewhere, realized how pointless and stupid it was to include the extra letter. Indeed it was and I’m glad that Americans, as a people, had the fortitude to eliminate it.

But now we stand at the precipice of a new frontier, the digital age. One which pits the flow of quick ideas against the vanguard of the old school, the type-set mentality that pour over spelling, basic grammar and harshly check your semicolon for proper use.

I can’t help but think that they are the old guard of a dying breed and, given as such, will be looked upon by history, not as guardians, but as old codgers.

Language changes. It always has. Even within the American realm, anyone could be blown away by the difference between a letter home from the Civil War and email from Iraq or Afghanistan.

I say let our language be more reflective of the way we communicate with each other, and less bound to old and obsolete rules. I say let us spell words, like I did as a child, in the most logical way because, in the end, and let’s face it, we are all using spellcheck when we have to, and there is no honesty in that.

On feb 30th 2003, hip hop celeb Flava Flav changed the meaning and spelling of Flavor / flavour when he yelled his now infamous;
" Yaaaaa BOOOY ".

the rest as they say ...is history.

[Ron]

I have traveled to many parts of the country and outside of the USA, and English is the standard, although in every place, it changes.  Go to Australia, and they have their own way with various words. Same with England.  Same with Canada. 

Now in America, go to Oakland (a city in the north of California), and the English there is completely different than Los Angeles, with different words. Different cultures have different words. New words come up all the time.  My favorite word from Boston was 'wicked' - this is 'wicked'.  They never say that in California.  New York is a little different, Florida definately.

And yes, grammer does change - as people text more, they shorted the words.  Out of 30,000 words or so in English, the average person speaks about 1,200.  Don't bother nor care to speak more.

My kids - they say DVR, remote (instead of remote control), fast forward a minute (you can do that on DVRs), Ipod, Ipad.  New words that we never had even ten years ago.

The schools are teaching the kids Cursive English (handwriting) to write in third grade, which is a complese waste of time, when they shoud be teaching computers, keyboard (which is different than typing), and more.  Cursive English is done. No one uses it anymore.

Times change.

Imagine in 10-20 years from now, when the myriad of touch screen televisions, touch screen remote control desks, more 'Siri' application style programs, and more 'Dragon' style dictation, and pretty soon, you may not have to write at all. Just talk.

[Metabolic]

Languages (natural and artificial) change, welcome to the 1890's Levi-Strauss!

[sync pulse]

I bet she would shit herself at how terrible her brother writes.

She does...

[sync pulse]

The French language has hardly changed in 200 yrs.

Changes to French have to be approved by the Authorities...

[PJim]

Don't worry yourself about it guy, you're going to give yourself an aneurysm the way you're going on!

[sync pulse]

The schools are teaching the kids Cursive English (handwriting) to write in third grade, which is a complese waste of time, when they shoud be teaching computers, keyboard (which is different than typing), and more.  Cursive English is done. No one uses it anymore.

I wouldn’t at all say it’s a waste…No more than having a child learn piano…or a trumpet…or oil painting…or about classical music…or World history.


I certainly hope they are making them use  fountain pen...

[Irongrip400]

Not totally on this subject, but related, but I wonder when we lost our British accents. I watch a lot of world war I and world war II programs, and when you hear Woodrow Wilson talk, and compare it to Lloyd George, they sound closer in relation to what we have now. FDR and Churchill will sound more similar than today's differences. I just wonder, was it somewhere around the turn of the century?  Also, we pronounce things somewhat different, but spell them the same, but it doesn't seem to be all accent which causes it. You can see how the Anglo version comes from the Germanic version, like a bridge from our root language to what it is now.

[sync pulse]

Not totally on this subject, but related, but I wonder when we lost our British accents. I watch a lot of world war I and world war II programs, and when you hear Woodrow Wilson talk, and compare it to Lloyd George, they sound closer in relation to what we have now. FDR and Churchill will sound more similar than today's differences. I just wonder, was it somewhere around the turn of the century?  Also, we pronounce things somewhat different, but spell them the same, but it doesn't seem to be all accent which causes it. You can see how the Anglo version comes from the Germanic version, like a bridge from our root language to what it is now.

That is called a "Mid-Atlantic" accent...Stewie Griffin speaks/parodies a British accent called "Received Pronounciation".

[TrapsMcLats]

I have a friend who is an english major (don't get me started), and he was lamenting the fall of the english language in light of the advent of all the text talk and internet speak that has invaded our culture.  I asked him to spell "theater (theatre)" or "color (colour)."  he said it was a completely different comparison.  I said he was a snot who should be marveling at  living in a time when one can literally see the evolution of language happening in front of their eyes.  When you get down to it, things like grammar and punctuation, or spelling, were really just class wedges, used to belittle the poorer people.  communication happens verbally, orally, and in many other ways.  why should i waste my time writing "be right back" when i can write "brb?"  The communication is still taking place, just much more efficiently and effectively.  

I still think we should be teaching kids all the basics, obviously, but also teach them to embrace the change of language.  Give it a few decades, and more languages will start co-mingling (like spanglish), bringing in entirely new words (more neolexia) and phrases, and new grammatical concepts.

[SF1900]

"SEXTING" is now in the dictionary.

[Parker]

I wouldn’t at all say it’s a waste…No more than having a child learn piano…or a trumpet…or oil painting…or about classical music…or World history.


I certainly hope they are making them use  fountain pen...

People today don't know how to write, and my writing skills have diminished We are all so sped up, that we do not want to take the time to write something that a person can read.

One time I had a "thug" in front of me, and he signed his name, it was some of the most beautiful handwrigting that I had seen in a while. And took his time. It looked like my mother's handwriting (she was a teacher). He had stated that he was taught to take his time, there is no need to rush.

[Your Average GymRat]

People today don't know how to write, and my writing skills have deminished. We are all so sped up, that we do not want to take the time to write something that a persona can read.

One time I had a "thug" in front of me, and he signed his name, it was some of the most beautiful handwrigting that I had seen in a while. And took his time. It looked like my mother's handwriting (she was a teacher). He had stated that he was taught to take his time, there is no need to rush.

"Deminished", "persona". Hahaha. Been taking writing lessons from "Wiggs"?

[Howard]

I have traveled to many parts of the country and outside of the USA, and English is the standard, although in every place, it changes.  Go to Australia, and they have their own way with various words. Same with England.  Same with Canada. 

Now in America, go to Oakland (a city in the north of California), and the English there is completely different than Los Angeles, with different words. Different cultures have different words. New words come up all the time.  My favorite word from Boston was 'wicked' - this is 'wicked'.  They never say that in California.  New York is a little different, Florida definately.

And yes, grammer does change - as people text more, they shorted the words.  Out of 30,000 words or so in English, the average person speaks about 1,200.  Don't bother nor care to speak more.

My kids - they say DVR, remote (instead of remote control), fast forward a minute (you can do that on DVRs), Ipod, Ipad.  New words that we never had even ten years ago.

The schools are teaching the kids Cursive English (handwriting) to write in third grade, which is a complese waste of time, when they shoud be teaching computers, keyboard (which is different than typing), and more.  Cursive English is done. No one uses it anymore.

Times change.

Imagine in 10-20 years from now, when the myriad of touch screen televisions, touch screen remote control desks, more 'Siri' application style programs, and more 'Dragon' style dictation, and pretty soon, you may not have to write at all. Just talk.

Dead on with this post Ron.
I first was trained on computer technology 30 yrs ago in the USMC. We used the old DOS commands and typed in every step.
I  have to keep re-teaching myself the new technology applications and jargon as I get older hahaha.

Every generation feels that the new advances in technology/science are really a step backwards.
I seriously doubt that anyone today wants to go back to world without cars and drive around in a horse &buggy.