How Technology Influences Spelling

Are Texts and E-Mails Changing the English Language for Ever?

Nov 11, 2008

Abbreviations and acronyms, in other words, "txtspk" are becoming the common currency of communication. Is being understood more important than being correct?

It could be argued that no language is static, every language is - and always has been - in a constant state of flux or development. If this is the case, do rules really matter? Why should anyone bother to learn how to spell correctly?

Constantly Evolving

It is only in the last two centuries that a standard English spelling was established by Dr Johnson’s A Dictionary of the English Language. Dictionaries continue to grow. Each new edition is forced to include new words.

Some of the additions are newly invented words, most often required to describe some new piece of technology or an activity connected to new technology, such as the verb 'to google'. 'Googling' has developed and been accepted in common usage to describe using a search engine to look for information on the internet.

Txtspk

Text messaging, blogging, online chat, forums and E-mails have led to abbreviations of words; and also to replacements of words by a single letter or digit which has the same sound, such as, ‘C’ for ‘see’, ‘U’ for ‘you’, ‘4’ for ‘for’, or ‘2’ for ‘to’. Sometimes a syllable within a word might be replaced by a digit e.g. ‘l8er’ for ‘later', or ‘2mrw’ for ‘tomorrow’.

Texting has also led to the evolution of acronyms, where the first letter of the words in a phrase are used, such as 'LOL' for 'laughing out loud' or 'BTW' for 'by the way'. These acronyms have almost become words in their own right.

The Web Highlights the Differences

British English, Canadian English, Australian English, American English, have evolved differently over the years. Their different spellings and different rules of grammar, while correct in their own respective countries, may be regarded as incorrect in other countries.

Previously, this was only a problem for writers who worked in other countries or whose work was published abroad. Publishers would normally alter the works to suit their country’s sensibilities.

Now, however, the internet allows writers from all over the world to express themselves immediately online. Readers are exposed to a variety of spellings and grammatical conventions. The less parochial readers have a greater understanding and tolerance of other forms of English, the more ignorant, become increasingly chauvinist, demanding that the only "correct" way is their way.

Defenders of British English claim that it should take precedence as it is the seat of the language’s origins; but American English, by sheer force of numbers, tends to dominate the internet.

Do the Rules Matter?

Given the fact that language is constantly evolving and no single set of rules applies across all the English-speaking countries, does this mean that it doesn’t matter if spelling is correct?

The simple answer is that it does matter. In fact, it’s an advantage to become acquainted with the various different forms of English which exist. The most basic internet search will be seriously hampered if the wrong spelling is entered into the search engine.

It’s true that Google offers alternative spellings if it thinks you might have made a mistake, but it doesn’t do that in cases where there are two ways to spell a word. For example, if you want information about how your child might become a model, you might search using the American spelling of ‘modeling for kids’ and find 3.5 million references that fit your search. On the other hand,searching with the British spelling of ‘modelling for kids’, only turns up 1 million references. However, if you want information about ‘fiber in the diet’ you’ll only find half a million references containing the American spelling, compared to 2.5 million pages containing the British spelling of ‘fibre in the diet’.

Most Important for Writers

For anyone who wants to write, it’s becoming increasingly important to learn the most common differences between British and American English.

The online encyclopedia Wikipedia recommends that if the subject of an article is British, then British English rules of grammar and spelling should apply, and if the subject is American then American English rules should apply. Whatever the case, spelling and grammar styles should remain consistent within a single article. Quality publications or websites will have rules governing their ‘house style’. And a writer who can adapt easily will be at a distinct advantage.

The copyright of the article How Technology Influences Spelling in Language & Style is owned by Janice Hally. Permission to republish How Technology Influences Spelling in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.