The first line of Chantal’s blog is insulting to say the least [for those who haven’t read it, it’s a remark about the internet make people stupid]. But according to a story carried by the Canadian Press, it’s true. University students across the country are failing tests in basic grammar and English. Don’t believe it? About a third of new students accepted to Waterloo University failed the required English exam. Simon Fraser University’s director of academic advising, Rummana Khan Hernani told CP there has been a general sense in the last few years that more and more students are struggling in terms of language proficiency.
The CP story blames networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, and phone texting for the lack of English skills. Chantal blames the two generations for being unwilling to understand each other. James Turk of the Association of University Teachers told CP there’s a notion of a golden past where students were wonderful, unlike now. He’s not sure if it ever existed. Chantal adds that as journalists we are supposed to be trying to put things in to context, not using smiley faces in essays.
This is important because the future of this world seems to be getting dumber with the creation of different networking opportunities. The focus isn’t on correct spelling and grammar, but how to say and send stuff faster. It’s about the amount you’re able to get out and the time you save doing so. The short hand and abbreviations have become the language of our time and for the most part, people understand it. Every era/generation developed its own lingo, ours just happens to be damaging the English language.
Ah applesauce! The Canadian Press is all wet. Fish are the bee’s knees and hit on all sixes. Confused? You wouldn’t be if you lived in the 20s. Although Chantal makes a point, the problem is probably the fact this language is what sets this generation apart from all others. The English language evolves with the times, and so does the slang. Our slang makes using technology easier, more efficient AND it’s less understandable for older adults. One of the better uses for slang is that it can be a code language that for the most part, only the current generation understands. It’s not usually something that’s planned but it happens because things evolve, just like they always have. So don’t worry, they’ll grow out of it. You did.
To make you feel even better… they know when to and when not to use it. They know it’s not appropriate in formal writing but they use it anyway because sometimes events and scenes can only be expressed as LOL (laugh out loud, it’s probably now one of the most common abbreviations in the English language) moments or a WTF?! (dropping the F bomb here, pretty sure you can fill in the blanks) exclamation. But using emoticons and cuzs is just weird. C’mon guys, we know you can. You’ve done it before. This just means they know the difference but they don’t what is appropriate. It’s become so entrenched in the daily vocabulary that it becomes the appropriate term to the user. It becomes a matter of teaching English basics more often. It may seem redundant but having regular lessons reminds them what is and isn’t appropriate. It’s true that you get wiser when you get older but every time you learn something new, you’re bound to forget an old fact or memory. It’s human.
So instead of underestimating them, help them. They’ll keep doing it unless you do [this might not be the case but, it’s nice to help people. It just makes you feel good on the inside]. Word☺.
The original was written by Chantal Braganza, and inter with the Toronto Star. (original)
