Comments on: ‘E-mail’ is uncool, and other language lessons for the digital age

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:23:44 +0000

Whether we like it or not, popular usage is what determines the makeup of a language. If people choose to write email without a hyphen then it will eventually go mainstream. Technology has been impacting English since the 1970s when computer terms started creeping into everyday language. As the specific technology dies, and it all does at some point, so do the associated words. The beauty of the English language is that, like the United States, it is flexible enough to adapt and incorporate influences from many different sources. People need to relax, it’s irritating sometimes, but it’s not life threatening. People who lived through the 1960s can probably grok that…

By: Katie Robinson

Katie Robinson — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:12:37 +0000

I definitely think that there’s been a general acceptance of slacking off on proper English when it comes to “internet talk”, it just depends on where you’re using your “format”. As long as you’re not bringing your level of writing down to using the minimal amount of letters through abbreviations, then you’re probably fine. I definitely agree with your level of marketing success if you create a new word. There’s a great give and take with how you can write, but the key is to know your audience well enough that you can communicate to them and understand what they’re saying back. Its as simple as that.

By: Ron Taylor

Ron Taylor — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:50:43 +0000

“embrace change that’s intelligent, but not just because all the kids are doin’ it”.
I second that thought.

Also, until the style police bang on my door I will continue to use e-mail.

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By: Jonh

Jonh — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:11:48 +0000

These days my expectations are so low I’ll settle for people who know how to use “unique” correctly.

By: [meta]realist parables

[meta]realist parables — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 05:28:29 +0000

Interesting article; it makes me wonder about how social norms have changed as a result of technological advances. Like, it’s not acceptable to delete your tweets. That’s an interesting statement that opens up an entire realm of sociological questions for me.

By: alexmedawayhasleftthebuilding

alexmedawayhasleftthebuilding — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:40:18 +0000

ridiculous. even the most brilliant of tech geniuses are not grammar experts. so now we should all write the way teenagers text. i believe good writers – you know, people who understand the inner workings of languages and are equipped to use them to full effect to convey the most complex or subtle ideas – should stand their ground.

we should educate people, and i don’t mean in a condescending way. i mean that you should write, while simply, also beautifully, and just maybe your reader is going to get a kick out of learning how words are supposed to compose a good paragraph. Yes, words change, but also a word like “hour” retains the h from its radical that’s a few thousand years old. and that, my friend – the mechanics of language that the HR departments can only dream to begin to understand in their wildest bath salt-induced hallucinations, – that is fucking awesome.

embrace change that’s intelligent, but not just because all the kids are doin’ it.

By: Ormy Underhill

Ormy Underhill — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:07:47 +0000

Everyone knows www=twiple.