2 all u txtspk h8rs

I've read heaps of articles about people thinking that standards of English are declining, mainly pointing the finger at fairly new changes in English, such as text speak. People who find out I do linguistics think that I should also feel the same way, and are surprised when I feel pretty much the opposite. I guess people are concerned because I'm not opposed to text speak, and I'm actually qualified to be an English teacher. If people like me are teaching English, does that mean kids will soon lose all concept of "Proper English"? I guess for some people a seemingly-failing education system is not a lol-ing matter.

But if you look at the idea of text speak, it epitomizes how amazing English is. Think about it; with only 160 characters and a small keypad to work with per message, instead of people finding themselves unable to communicate, written language has been able to evolve and adjust so people can still express themselves freely. The whole point of language is communication, and if it can't even do that, then it's not working properly.

Language always evolves and changes depending on the needs of its speakers. That's why there are so many words for ice & snow in Inuit that you don't find in English, and probably wouldn't find in Hawaiian. I guess you don't need that many words when the only ice you encounter is in a glass, alongside a mini umbrella. In Japanese, the words honne (本音) and tatemae (建前) are used to refer to your true feelings that you aren't supposed to show many people, and the behaviour that is expected of people in public. It seems appropriate to have these words in a culture that puts such an emphasis on these concepts, but a little weird in English if your culture values freedom of speech and expressing your opinions and feelings.

So while I'm pro-txtspk, and think it should count as a legitimate form of English language, I don't think we should start allowing kids 2 b writin essays lyk dis. It's all about context; who you're communicating to, and the purpose of communication. When you're asking to borrow a pen from a friend, you're going to ask differently than if you were asking to borrow $10,000 from a bank. And when you borrow that pen from your friend, are you going to email them (or SMS them), or are you going to just turn to them and ask them directly? Rather than teaching students that txtspk is wrong, I think students just need to be taught when each different form of writing is appropriate.

Or I guess, just wait for SMS to become obsolete, which could happen anytime soon...

Semantically Challenged

I love linguistics. I guess for most people it's an unusual, and slightly sad admission to make. Mainly because many people don't really have much an idea of what it is, other than that it involves words and language. Just to set the record straight - I'm not the kind of person who cringes when I hear someone use who instead of whom (even though I know when you're supposed to use whom), and I don't revert to a foetal position when I hear someone say "Me and my friend went to Gloria Jeans" instead of "My friend and I...". I do have a thing against the use of youse, but I think that's the part of me that's anti-bogan, and not my linguistics side, since I do understand why people feel compelled to use youse...

I love linguistics because I think it gives you an insight into people and society, and the intrinsically-curious part of me always wants to know the motivations behind people's actions and decisions. I like how hearing someone's voice can immediately tell you so many things, like where they're from, what kind of school they went to, or if they're suffering from Wernicke's Aphasia.

Even looking at a language as a whole, it also shows you a glimpse into past speakers' lives. Look at the word bye: it's a shortening of goodbye, which in turn evolved from God be with you, showing you the importance English speakers used to place on religion in Ye Olde Times.

And did you ever wonder what would have happened in situations when two cultures meet when they didn't share the same language? Did it involve lots of miming and pointing? Sure, you can cluck and flap your arms as wings to indicate chicken, but how would you mime "yesterday"?

Anyway, that's the kind of stuff I'm interested in, and after a run-in with a Quiz-show contestant, I worked it that it may in fact be my passion. So I decided to set up this blog as a way to post interesting linguistic tidbits and stuff that I find, as well as motivation for me to keep reading up on linguistics stuff. If someone else finds enjoyment from my blog, then that's a also a bonus.

If anyone's reading this blog, please leave me a comment or easy-to-answer linguistics question, or if you also love linguistics and wanted to post too, let me know as well...

Enough ranting from me today. I'll try to post something semi-informative soon.