How many times have fatalists voiced concern about the next generation's writing ability? Superficial examination of teens might support this worry. The computer, however, may be impacting this new generation differently than expected. IMs, blogs, chat rooms, on-line communities, etc., all require the written word. Granted that written word has been slaughtered from the textbook English of my generation, but nevertheless, it is written and it is communication.
I just wonder if a completely new language is being created as words and phrases are shortened to code. New terms are being created so rapidly a dictionary of terms would be obsolete at printing. TIA (Thanks In Advance), ROTFLMAO (Roll On The Floor Laughing My A@# Off), IMHO (In My Humble Opinion) are all examples of today's communication style.
Using capital letters is considered shouting. Spell check doesn't know how to spell and the grammar checker is even worse. More information is available by "Googling It" than I could have accessed at the Library of Congress as a young woman. My generation is being left behind, but the next generation is still learning writing skills, albeit skills of a different kind.
June 30, 2006
I honestly wish I could write. It is refreshing to read your blog because you can write.
Posted by: Teresa Boardman | March 07, 2007 at 01:22 AM