Technological era of communication
Discussion 9
Given the technological era of communication, the English language is bound to evolve even further. Electronically aided communication through such mediums as texting, instant messaging, emails, and memes are gradually leading the revolution towards new vocabulary. The youth and the younger generation are the leading consumers of new communication technology. Exchange of information through instant messaging and photographic representation is transforming the conventional rules of writing and speaking English. Interrogation of these modern interactions reveals the fact that we are slowly and steadily moving away from the known constructs and structures of the English language to new ones. Perhaps that could be explained by the fact that was chatting on instant messaging calls for fast response and therefore the need to come up with new words that replace the old vocabulary.
In module two, the discussion of the various vocabulary formation methods underscores the fact that the creation of new words is something that is here to stay. Perhaps the contemporary technological revolution of communication is bound to fuel this process even further given the demand. Combining is one of the processes that inform the formation of vocabulary today and is set to sustain the same going forward. Many modern youths tend to create new vocabulary through infixing. The invention of words like “unbe-freaking-leivable” is a good example. Some words are also formed through shortening, a tendency that is bound to continue given the demand for fast typing during texting. Through clipping, more words like piano and fridge will be created. Lastly, functional shifting is another vocabulary creation formula that looks to influence future spoken and written English. Facebook and google have influenced the creation of two category shift vocabulary. While the structure did not make sense previously, the phrase ‘please friend me on Facebook’ makes sense as a category shift of the word friend. Another example is “please google for me the word intricate”.