Abbreviations have become a standard part of the English language. Since the advent of the computer and the mobile phone, the world has become obsessed with how to get your point across in the fastest, most efficient way possible. ROFL, LOL, CU. All of these abbreviations and more are accepted as legitimate forms of communication.
Now, I don't really have anything against abbreviations. It is convenient to be able to say a lot with little time, but at what cost? There are a few abbreviations that I absolutely despise. Among my top most-hated are: LOLS, defo, presh, and prezzie. They just irk me. I understand that it can be fun to say at times, but to be honest, it is making us stupider.
Stay with me on this one. English is an extremely interesting language. It can be played with and manipulated to create beautiful streams of poetry, commanding prose, even emotional stream of consciousness. This language, though grammatically frustrating, provides a platform from which lives can be changed. Some of the most powerful people in the world have gained and beget more power from their command of language. One of my most favorite examples of magnificent language is Martin Luther King, Jr. He stood up among his peers and with all of the passion he could muster, uttered words that have been immortalized in our world. Words that allowed people to move past the pettiness of racial strife and realize that we are all members of the human race. Mr. King was in control of English.
But what words are immortalized now? In media it is celebrity catch phrases such as "that's cool". Books that have gained massive popularity are not even written well or creative. Everything is a copy of a knock-off of a copied original. It is hard to be unique the longer the world continues because we will always hear that phrase, "that's been done already".
Abbreviations are our generations way of being unique, but is it a good choice? In many ways it is insulting to the English language. As we dumb down our speaking, how can we expect to cross cultural lines when other languages, such as Arabic and Chinese, maintain the integrity of their language and we degrade ours? I'm not saying that we need to speak like it is 1801, but we cannot sacrifice the beauty of our language because it is easier, faster, or more convenient. We have the amazing opportunity to learn new words, put them to use, and improve ourselves. It will lift us a little higher, make us a bit better.
In essence, abbreviate when necessary. Learn to better express yourself.
Now, I don't really have anything against abbreviations. It is convenient to be able to say a lot with little time, but at what cost? There are a few abbreviations that I absolutely despise. Among my top most-hated are: LOLS, defo, presh, and prezzie. They just irk me. I understand that it can be fun to say at times, but to be honest, it is making us stupider.
Stay with me on this one. English is an extremely interesting language. It can be played with and manipulated to create beautiful streams of poetry, commanding prose, even emotional stream of consciousness. This language, though grammatically frustrating, provides a platform from which lives can be changed. Some of the most powerful people in the world have gained and beget more power from their command of language. One of my most favorite examples of magnificent language is Martin Luther King, Jr. He stood up among his peers and with all of the passion he could muster, uttered words that have been immortalized in our world. Words that allowed people to move past the pettiness of racial strife and realize that we are all members of the human race. Mr. King was in control of English.
But what words are immortalized now? In media it is celebrity catch phrases such as "that's cool". Books that have gained massive popularity are not even written well or creative. Everything is a copy of a knock-off of a copied original. It is hard to be unique the longer the world continues because we will always hear that phrase, "that's been done already".
Abbreviations are our generations way of being unique, but is it a good choice? In many ways it is insulting to the English language. As we dumb down our speaking, how can we expect to cross cultural lines when other languages, such as Arabic and Chinese, maintain the integrity of their language and we degrade ours? I'm not saying that we need to speak like it is 1801, but we cannot sacrifice the beauty of our language because it is easier, faster, or more convenient. We have the amazing opportunity to learn new words, put them to use, and improve ourselves. It will lift us a little higher, make us a bit better.
In essence, abbreviate when necessary. Learn to better express yourself.
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