Language of the Internet

Group Presentation Outline
Group Topic: Teen Language
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the culture of teen language, the influence of technology as a medium.
Introduction
Language is a fluid, subjective, dynamic creature and the never ending evolution of our ability to communicate in unique ways is a privilege of being part of the human race. Options for communication and expanding language, particularly for teens have more than doubled in the last 20 years (Gross 75). Instead of teens spending extended periods of time talking on the phone, they have shifted to spending hours online in chat rooms or texting their friends via mobile phones. Not only has IM and text become the fastest growing communications medium in history, it has changed the very nature of communication and language (Gross 75). With all languages, evolution and change are inevitable. Understanding urban teen vernacular is a constant effort if we are to decipher the magical code of 'Teen Speak '.
Body
Teens have taken and replaced what is primarily oral communication and are transforming it into a new text-based language. Acronyms, abbreviations and combination of the two to create a new word have become part of a new language of the internet and routine among teens. Acronyms are being used as words in place of actually speaking the correct words in a conversation. “BTW, do you have the notes from Ms. Brown 's class?” This would be pronounced as “Be. Tea. Double U”. - by the way, do you have the notes... “OMG! Did you see that?” This would sound out as “Oh Emm Gee...” “She 's dropped some serious Lb 's!” In this scenario “Ellbs” for the reference to weight. Combination of misspelled words and even a of word/acronyms are used in place of actual words creating a unique language commonly understood among age groups 14-17(Barron 48). “I 'll berb after I clean my room” This is an example of using BRB - be right back as a word of its ' own. “I 'm goin afffk, berb in 'a min” This is using a combination of AFK-away from keyboard ' , 'BRB- be right back in a minute. There are complete web based dictionaries dedicated to teen language and lists of acronyms. There are thousands of acronyms and shorthand that are commonly used when teens go online or use text-based communication. Symbols and letters used together are another form of teen speak such as *$ for the word Starbucks. Frequently teens will use these combinations to communicate in a secretive language. Urban dictionaries are the leading resource in determining what is “now” in terms of popular phrases or terms with today’s youth. “Dude I 've got WoWthritis. I gotta take a break” Is a reference to the wrist pain associated with playing the online game World of Warcraft. “Last night I was bedbrowsing and found the cutest sweater at the GAP” Bedbrowsing is like web-browsing, but done from your laptop in bed.

Internet and text messaging are the leading medium for communication for most teens. About 17 million youths between the ages of 12 through 17 use the Internet (Gross 78) as a means of social communication. At the turn of the twenty-first century, 80% of Canadian teens and 74% of American teens used an IM program (Barron10). On average 70% of teens between 14-17 will text or use IM for communication daily. IM/Text language is characterized by a mix of features from both written and spoken language to create a hybrid language. IM’s popularity with teens has raised concern from a variety of people, including parents, teachers, psychologists, and grammarians (O 'Connor 28). IM is a unique new hybrid language/vernacular created specifically for the internet, ranging from formal to informal (O 'Connor 23). Texting uses abbreviations for faster response and communication.
Conclusion
Language is a fluid, subjective, dynamic creature and with language comes change. With technology, teens have taken on building a entire new subset of language that evolves as fast as they can think and continued learning is paramount. Nations decide their national language and a hundred different dialects can evolve from it. The use of internet and instant messaging has become the leading method of communication for teens and has brought in an entirely new language for those willing, to learn.
Citations
Baron, Naomi S.. “Language of the Internet.” In The Stanford Handbook for Language Engineers, ed. Ali Farghali, 1–63. Stanford, California: 2003
Gross, Elisheva F., Jaana Juvonen, and Shelly L. Gable. "Internet Use and Well-Being in Adolescence." Journal of Social Issues 58.1: 75-90. 2002 Print.
O 'Connor, Amanda. "Instant Messaging: Friend or Foe of Student Writing?" School of Education at Johns Hopkins University-Instant Messaging: Friend or Foe of Student Writing? Newhorizons ForLearningOnlineJournal, 2005. Web. 03 Oct. 2012. <http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/strategies/topics/literacy/articles/instant-messaging/index.html>.

Citations: Baron, Naomi S.. “Language of the Internet.” In The Stanford Handbook for Language Engineers, ed. Ali Farghali, 1–63. Stanford, California: 2003 Gross, Elisheva F., Jaana Juvonen, and Shelly L. Gable. "Internet Use and Well-Being in Adolescence." Journal of Social Issues 58.1: 75-90. 2002 Print. O 'Connor, Amanda. "Instant Messaging: Friend or Foe of Student Writing?" School of Education at Johns Hopkins University-Instant Messaging: Friend or Foe of Student Writing? Newhorizons ForLearningOnlineJournal, 2005. Web. 03 Oct. 2012. &lt;http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/strategies/topics/literacy/articles/instant-messaging/index.html&gt;.