R.I.P. the English Language.

"I chose numbers over words and words over meaning..."
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In a world where English is rapidly becoming the universal language and a high percentage of the world now has the opportunity to learn English, I find it increasingly appalling that most of us are contributing to the Death of the English Language. From the books we read to the way we speak and type, the use of words, grammar and punctuation has transformed from a sophisticated and structured art form to an often sloppy and incoherent drawl. Perhaps we should embrace the change, I mean, why not replace 'you' with 'u'? Why do we need to know the difference between homophones such as 'aloud' and 'allowed' and the three 'there' words?

Language used to empower us. It used to say something about the way we felt or describe something that couldn't be expressed in any other for. Language created an identity for the human race. It elevated us above our animal counterparts. Without language there would be no memory of the Duchess of Devonshire or Marie Antoinette. Without language I couldn't be typing this at this very moment.

Most facets of society are being sucked into this illiterate vortex one by one. Instant messaging services such as MSN and text messaging are one of the first listed under the 'Suspects' heading. Yes, I know that it is more convenient to write 'c u l8r', as opposed to 'see you later', but what's to stop us (especially young people) from writing full words as a bunch of characters in our next essay or assignment? As well as shortened words, what about all the acronyms like 'LOL' and 'ROFLMAO'? Sorry, but if you go to all that trouble to say you're laughing, then chances are, you're really not. Let's stick to the good old 'hehehe' or 'haha' next time? All that abbreviation is retarding the current generation's ability to express themselves coherently.

Magazines hold the number two spot after technology as a suspect. Isn't it a bit sick, recommending books to 'help you look like a celebrity' or 'make every man want you'? This just boils down to a lack of self respect, confidence and an open mind. I'm pretty sure we didn't have some of these problems with self image and sex lives until popular magazines such as Cleo and Cosmopolitan told us we did. Most of the time, these sources are killing the English Language [in terms of the purpose of literature] because they tell us what's right and what's wrong in everything we ever do. Our jobs, our attitudes, our relationships. Everything right down to the amount of mascara we apply is rated, critiqued and at times, corrected. But hey, I myself, am doing what the magazines do right now. I'm varying away from the true purpose of my writing.

Next on the list is common dialect. Wassup, bruh? I don't know, maybe you could tell me what's going on. Some of the most intelligent people I know say 'Youse' instead of 'You all'. I'm going to be very rude and say it now. It makes you sound dumb, not cool. I mean, is it so hard to speak properly? You know how to, but choose not to. May I finally add that it is not a bad thing to have a solid vocabulary? Even Mitchell Johnson [In the Australian Cricket team, if you didn't know] wishes he had a bigger vocabulary so he could "argue better with people like Andrew Symonds."!

So to the world that has the means to be incredibly intelligent and communicative, try reading a classic book, maybe some Austen or Dickens. To those who are fighting back against the impending death, thank you, and keep it up. Your books and efforts are not lost completely. Some of us still appreciate a good read and a witty conversation. To those who are murderers. Try harder to break the habit. I mean, you don't want the next generation to not know what the word 'ambition' means or what an ellipsis is, do you?

The End. More or less...
Stephanie Amber. ©