“The Internet and the English Language” by Terence Carter Presented by Michael Wilding

Introduction Beginnings of the Internet Beginnings of the Internet Communication via the Internet Communication via the Internet Causes of Change Causes of Change The Evolution of Language The Evolution of Language

Beginnings of the Internet The Internet was originally a tool used exclusively by the government, education, and science communities. The Internet was originally a tool used exclusively by the government, education, and science communities. It began as a simple command line interface, with often cryptic, hard to understand syntax. It began as a simple command line interface, with often cryptic, hard to understand syntax. Information moves so fast across the Internet, users prefer smaller words to save time, often resembling command line syntax. Information moves so fast across the Internet, users prefer smaller words to save time, often resembling command line syntax.

Communication via the Internet Written words tend to resemble verbal interactions, often using informal language rather than written words. Written words tend to resemble verbal interactions, often using informal language rather than written words. Texts often contain stenography-like shortcuts and lack proper English. Texts often contain stenography-like shortcuts and lack proper English. Users add emotions to text, with phrases like “LOL”, or “TTYL” Users add emotions to text, with phrases like “LOL”, or “TTYL”

Causes of Change The “Invisible Person” syndrome can explain the lack of grammar and spelling, as the anonymous style of the Internet prevents people from being responsible for their writings. The “Invisible Person” syndrome can explain the lack of grammar and spelling, as the anonymous style of the Internet prevents people from being responsible for their writings. “Why strive for perfection in the English language when no one knows or cares who you are?” “Why strive for perfection in the English language when no one knows or cares who you are?” People ignore or misuse helpful grammar tools available to them, such as spell checkers, because of lack of training on the use of the Internet People ignore or misuse helpful grammar tools available to them, such as spell checkers, because of lack of training on the use of the Internet

The Evolution of Language The turn of the century has brought about a significant change in the use of computer science related words in everyday conversations. The turn of the century has brought about a significant change in the use of computer science related words in everyday conversations. These incorrect uses will be incorporated into the English language as it evolves. These incorrect uses will be incorporated into the English language as it evolves. Internet communication does not follow the rules of standard English, however it is not known whether it is the evolution of the language, or the communication medium. Internet communication does not follow the rules of standard English, however it is not known whether it is the evolution of the language, or the communication medium.

Conclusion Communication over the internet first began as the cryptic syntax used in command line interfaces. Communication over the internet first began as the cryptic syntax used in command line interfaces. Over time, written communication over the Internet has taken a similar form to its predecessor’s syntax. Over time, written communication over the Internet has taken a similar form to its predecessor’s syntax. These changes have since become a common part of the English language. These changes have since become a common part of the English language.

Questions? The End