David Crystal: How is the Internet Changing Language Today?

Posted on July 7, 2010 | 2 Comments

Jürgen Kurtz, Karlsruhe University of Education, Germany

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2 responses to “David Crystal: How is the Internet Changing Language Today?”

  1. Anna | July 10, 2010 at 5:08 pm | Reply

    I believe this is a good wrap-up, but what I am missing is the new spelling that has emerged. I know that my cousin had a problem in his English exam, because he used the spelling he is used to from the internet and his teacher did not understand him, when he used ‘r’ for ‘are,’ ‘u’ for ‘you,’ ‘4’ for ‘for’ and ‘four,’ ‘gr8’ for ‘great’ and so on. Especially words that are regarded as having a too complicated spelling are shortened, as e.g. ‘thru.’

  2. 10uta02 | November 6, 2010 at 10:01 am | Reply

    I like the way the internet is rated as a new medium, without blaming it for the “decay” of language etc. It’s there and it’s part of our life, there is no way back. Our children are going ahead without asking us if we can keep pace with them.
    Language pedagogy should consider this. I often use internet sources, teyt, youtube videos, songtexts in my English lessons – and I think my students do appreciate this. I also started a blog dealing with songtexts – let’s see where this leads to… ;)

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