Technology

Question 1

what are the theorists that suggest technology is positive from lanaguge?

Answer 1

1. David Crystal
2. John McWhorter
3. Halliday/lexical gaps

Question 2

what are the theorists who suggest technology has a negative impact on langauge?

Answer 2

1. john humphreys
2. Naomi baron
3. Lynne Truss

Question 3

describe john Mcwhorters theory

Answer 3

• In digital spaces such as social media and messages, users frequently adopt more informal features (such as incorrect punctuation, abbreviations, acronyms) which is more typical of speech
• idea explored by Mcwhorter who suggests that texting mimics the fluidity and immediacy of spoken conversations – which is a context much less concerned with rules – and therefore is not eroding language standards. This aligns with the descriptivist view that that language naturally adapts to new contexts

Question 4

describe David crystals theory

Answer 4

• Bernstein suggests that most individuals can code-switch effectively and adjust their language depending on audience and purpose.
• This idea is supported by david crystal who, in the effects of new technology lecture in 2013, suggested there is no evidence that text speak is influencing other modes/ genres of english and that it is restricted to messages. Therefore, difference to discourse regarding texting should not be seen as a decline but rather a positive functional evolution of language.
• Crystal also highlights the many positive effects of texting is his book ‘the gr8 db8’ in which he argues that texting gives opportunities to practice reading and writing.

Question 5

describe hallidays functional theory/lecxical gaps theory

Answer 5

• technology has resulted in new words and abbreviations such as ‘selfie’ and ‘lol’ that have arisen to deal with changing circumstances of the modern world.
• This aligns with Hallidays functional theory which suggests language changes because its speakers need it to change to deal with new concepts and ideas. Similarly, this resonates with the lexical gaps theory that is the simple notion that language has ‘gaps’ where it does not have a word for something therefore one is created.
• The idea of linguistic innovation has been around long before technology, for instance, shakespeare invented new words and twisted grammar that was controversial at its time.

Question 6

describe john humphreys theory

Answer 6

• John Humphreys is highly critical of new words/slang such as the use of ‘gr8’ for ‘great’ as he believes they are ‘raping the english language’.
• He suggests they encourage laziness and erode the standard of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

evaluation = david crystal argues the opposite, claiming that texting increases literacy skills as one must have a strong command of spelling to know what can or cannot be omitted.

Question 7

describe Naomi Barons and Lynne truss’ point

Answer 7

• interprets texting language as a deterioration in capability and skill
• baron expressed concern that texting promotes brevity and simplicity over complexity and precision, weakening users ability to construct formal/academic texts.
• This view is shared with Lynne Truss who is highly critical of the way technology has encouraged a more casual and lazy form of communication which she outlines in her book “Eats, Shoots&Leaves: the zero tolerance approach to punctuation” in 2003. - She worries that people are becoming accustomed to writing quickly without regard for punctuation, grammar and spelling, eroding the clarity and precision of good communication.

Question 8

how does this topic link to language being performative?

Answer 8

new words such as “uber” reflects the natural adaptability of the English language and its performative nature as new words are created because we need them to deal with new concepts and ideas