How has the internet changed the global language?
In the global world today, it is impossible to imagine a single day without the internet. Although, older generations like our grandparents seem completely unaffected by its presence, and may even find it to be a nuisance at times. Undoubtedly, a lot has changed since the advent of the internet but individual outlooks determine whether that is for better or worse. However, it is safe to say that the internet has and continues to change communication, as we know it.
It has become necessary to be on the internet if you want to stay in the loop and remain updated. In the digital world today, you need to have your virtual handprint. Good internet providers such as Cox are catering to the vast majority and ensuring inclusiveness. For example, Cox communications en español allows you to view their plans and packages in a language other than English.
The use of digital devices and the many communiqué possibilities offered by the Internet means that a language has to overcome many different obstacles. People are now communicating with people they would never have interacted with before. All you seem to need is a good internet connection, and you can now talk to someone in South Korea, even if you do not speak the language. Languages evolve anyway but the internet seems to have hastened the process.
Why language changes
Language change is a normal process as it changes according to the changing needs of those communicating through it. First, changing the language isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If language never changed, we would have no words to describe contemporary creations like modems or televisions. Over a long period of time, the language will go through processes of change.
The link between technology and language
The advent of technology along with the introduction of novel products has led to new words being created from all over the world. When we communicate with different people, we also learn new words. Language change is strong among younger generations as they interact more often with people from other parts of the world, bringing with them many new words.
For example, “sushi” appeared in our vocabulary through communication with people. Without language change and globalization, such words would be unthinkable in the English-speaking world. The increase in access to other parts of the world also has a lot to do with our beloved internet. While changes like this are contributing to converting the world into one global community, not all change is a good change.
How is the internet changing language?
It seems that people write so much that it is easier to write than to call. Texting has become a fast, convenient way to communicate that saves a huge amount of time, which affects how we understand the language and the basic grammar rules that underlie it. Some of the most common text message abbreviations are txt (text), msg (message), and cos (because)… the list is endless. While it is easy for English speakers to understand these, for the non-native ones, the grammatical rules may be hard to get.
The social media influence
The Internet has opened up many new platforms to the public. Forums like Facebook and Instagram have almost become a new way of life. Captioning posts have become an important part of these forums because they need to be attractive and smart. Texting itself has become a way of articulating emotions. Capitalizing the sentence gives the reader the feeling that the post might be crucial. At the same time, extending words corresponds to the expression of the meaning of what we feel.
The onset of emoji
Emoticons are a new way to express emotions as they successfully replace the hand gestures we use in face-to-face conversations. It can be a bit difficult to imagine what other people are trying to express because these emojis do not have a standard meaning for their expression and one emoticon could mean two very different things to the reader.
The new internet lingo
Technology has changed linguistics, and the meanings of words that were once commonplace have changed markedly. This applies not only to new words but also to new verbs that have been included in the dictionary. Verbs such as google or tweet are relatively new additions to our old English language.
The era of Google Translate
English, among other languages around the world, has changed with the arrival of the Internet. Google Translate is widely used for fast and easy translation into almost any language. It is an easy process, especially if there is no translator nearby. While it is not always effective, or error-free, it is still amazing to see how a machine can translate words in numerous languages, but the finesse and nuance with which translators can do the same will always be more remarkable.
Conclusion
Changing the language over time is inevitable and has already begun. All we can do is adapt with dignity to these changes. Not all change is bad; Without this development, we would not be able to implement new words from other cultures. The Internet has its pros and cons, but it cannot be denied that the Internet has influenced the language to some extent. The Internet may not (yet) replace human intelligence in translation, but it has changed the way we use language and communicate. So the next time you use Google Translate for formal communication, ask someone other than a robot to check the translation!
