17th February 2017

Hypothesis: Language Study

Hypothesis: Spoken language is modified when we communicate online. Now, online language is influencing the way we speak in person.

Evidence: 

Sayings and expressions we use when we speak to an individual or a group in person have been adjusted to an digital-friendly code that is now affecting conversation face-to-face, creating a more casual and relaxed language.  The following examples provide evidence supporting my idea.

Oh My Gosh

“Oh my gosh” is an expression used to show a shocked or surprised reaction. When texting, the expression is shortened down to “omg.” Now, people have taken this acronym to conversations in person by spelling out the letters and saying “o-m-g.” Eg, “O-m-g, I can’t believe it!” 

Okay

There are many theories of where the origins of the casual work “okay” comes from, but the word has through text, slowly evolved from “okay” or “ok” to just “k.” This informal, yet extremely popular word is not uncommonly being pronounced “kay” in spoken language.

Haha

When something is really funny, we laugh; and to show that we think something is funny when texting, we often type “haha.” When speaking in person, people have started to make the sound “haha” rather than laughing. So this example is not only showing how laughter is evolving but also raising the idea of that the expression “haha” is loosing it’s original meaning. If the joke was truly funny, wouldn’t we laugh?

 

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Writing