BTHO acronyms and bad English

The evolution of a language is inevitable, but it is not an excuse for the lazy use of English.

By: Christopher Buckley

Posted: 10/21/08

The evolution of the English language has taken an unexpected turn unforeseen by scholars and academics. Never would they have expected terms like "lol," "brb" or "lmao" would become dominant in written or typed works. Neither would they have predicted that "like" would become so prevalent in contemporary dialogue. The ill use of the language by using new terms has decreased a generation's vocabulary, grammatical skill and ability to speak proficiently.

Many scholars and professionals speak and type the English language in a professional and respectable way, but I doubt many in this generation appreciate the examples that preceded contemporary literary works; namely, the classics that epitomize the language's heritage.

"I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams," wrote the poet William Butler Yeats in his poem, "He Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven."

"Cowards die many times before their deaths, the valiant never taste of death but once," wrote William Shakespeare in "Julius Caesar."

While Yeats and Shakespeare epitomize the artistic heights that written English can achieve, it is not realistic to believe that people today will write essays or memos like that. Brevity can be achieved when writing is well thought. The terseness and use of "lol," "brb" and "lmao" are the result of laziness.

Aside from using improper grammar, Americans who abbreviate and use popular acronyms are imposing on themselves what Orwellian Newspeak imposed on the denizens in the book "1984." Newspeak combined some words and eliminated others deemed unnecessary by the government to make language more efficient. Additionally, Newspeak purged words that could cause the people in the book "1984" to could commit a thought crime by questioning the status quo.

The use of sometimes painfully incoherent language is another problem area. Miss South Carolina Teen Lauren Upton exhibited that in 2007.

"I believe that our, uh, education like such as in, uh, South Africa and, uh, the Iraq and everywhere like such as..."

When someone talks in broken sentences, it hardly counts as English.

"Having a rich vocabulary at your disposal not only allows you to communicate your beliefs, but it allows you to think more clearly," said John Krajicek, executive professor and assistant director of business communication studies for the MBA and EMBA programs at Mays Business School. "Improving the quality of your vocabulary improves the quality of your thought."

Krajicek said English is evolving, and the changes can be used in the professional atmosphere.

"The language is a living, breathing thing," he said. "And by the virtue of the fact that it changes daily, some of us old-timers have to sit back and realize that this is inevitable."

English is evolving as it always has, but certain criterion must be met to effectively communicate.

"There should be two goals when speaking English," said Sean Glinski, a senior political science major. "One is expressing ones' thoughts so the audience can understand and secondly, to elevate the intelligence of the people you're speaking to in order to enlighten them while still allowing them to understand what you're saying.

"I think the English language isn't being taught to its fullest potential and people are relying on simplistic language techniques in order to express themselves. Obviously English is becoming more user-friendly and, in many cases, it is extinguishing advanced vocabulary because of lack of use."

Proper use of English is a guideline for communicating intelligently with others. The evolution of English is fine, but once its flexibility is traded for simplicity, it is difficult to regain the lost knowledge.

Using acronyms while texting or e-mailing a friend is perfectly fine, as long as they do not hinder a person's ability to speak professionally in the workplace or formulate well-written work. However, people should be wary of using slang and acronyms too often because it may perpetuate a mindset that infects the ability to formulate cogent thoughts.

Americans should read and practice English every day to be proficient in its use. This generation is often overlooked for new jobs or promotions because of poor writing or speaking skills. Americans should speak with confidence and intelligence as often as possible, because no one would want to make James Madison roll in his grave and regret putting the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights.