Traditional and Modern English Use, Research Paper Example

The tradition of “old school” communication rapidly seems to be being replaced by a new idiom of English speakers.  The new communication having been widely promoted by the youth and the adoption of technology platforms used world-wide i.e. the internet, cell phones, chat rooms etc.  In the traditional setting the approach followed a sense of constructive order i.e. i) it defined a specific problem ii) it analyzed the problem and iii) it recommended a solution.  The approach seems to have been handed down from the ancient Greeks and as such follows an education more in tune with reading and learning the classics.  It assumes that the target audience desires this form of communication ( the need) and is equally receptive to following it without question.

With the concept of globalisation the British colonialism and the United States have seeded English as a universal language.  This was widely supported by TESOL ( Teaching English as a Second Language) and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).  This new breed of English teachers have become much more flexible and tolerant of the language in terms of simplifying the level of understanding and communication to the students.  One of they key issues in moving away from the more traditional education of the language is the lack of academic learning and success.  “As we look at our data, we absolutely have to look at new ways to ensure the academic success of our young people,” (Tracey)

Within the confines of a classical English education the old schools also taught Latin.  Although this has by and large disappeared, it contained a number of distinct advantages.  Like Greek they were considered pre-requisites for a scholarly education.  They provided an excellent basis for training the mind and structuring thought patterns. ” Unraveling a Latin sentence is an excellent exercise in thought, an intellectual puzzle with a good introduction to logical thinking ” (Barker)

English also had its roots in Latin and as such grammar, logic and rhetoric were considered the foundation stones upon which to build a contemporary education and means of communication.

With the move to the more codified use of the English Language, for example r u 3 coming, as opposed to saying ” are you three coming”, promotes a new translation of the language.  ” Languages disappear for all sorts of reasons, not least among their radical transformation over time. Although useful for reading Shakespeare’s plays of four centuries ago. Chaucers Middle English may be understanding the Beowulf poet in not only dead but unintelligible to modern speakers” (Miller).

London, England (Reuters) — An English essay written by a British teenager in text messaging short-hand has reignited concern among teachers that literacy standards are under threat. The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported Monday that the 13-year-old’s teacher could not decipher what the youngster had written. “I could not believe what I was seeing. The page was riddled with hieroglyphics, many of which I simply could not translate,” the teacher told the newspaper.  The girl’s essay began: “My smmr hols wr CWOT. B4, we used 2go2 NY 2C my bro, his GF & thr 3 :- kids FTF. ILNY, it’s a gr8 plc.”
Which in translation from text messaging shorthand would read: “My summer holidays were a complete waste of time. Before, we used to go to New York to see my brother, his girlfriend and their three screaming kids face to face. I love New York. It’s a great place.”  (Reuters)

What the above stated example shows is that a great deal of the younger generation are texting and communicating through a newly accepted language media.  Although the teacher could not decipher this, nevertheless, it cannot be simply dismissed as illiteracy if the student is able to communicate to other less educated people who understand or can translate the code. The question seems to go deeper than this – for example: if we let the decline of English Language fall to an unacceptable level, then, we are at mortal danger of losing the very culture we have built.  As such the new generations will not expose themselves to classical or great works of literature and as such deprive themselves of a valuable part of their education and upbringing.

It is without a doubt that we, as a society, will not be in a position to influence the rate of technological change to the mass media.  We will continue to see further advances in communication, technology and equipment that support easier access of communications and simplification of the universal language. The challenge lies with the Parents, Teachers and Educational Institutions to bridge the digital divide and safeguard the more important aspects of the language, learning and the library of culture and literature that it supports.

Globalization expressed by the internet, instant communication devices and freedom of access will connect both emerging technological countries like India, China and parts of Africa with a more advanced technological societies like the USA Europe Japan etc.  Poverty, however, remains common to both Societies and as such one cannot expect a universal standard of education or its’ proper application in the general populace.

Works Cited

Barker, Scott. Language Log. April 2008. 11 October 2009 <http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/>.

Miller, John F. How do you say extinct? . 8th March 2002. 13 October 2009 <http://www.opinionjournal.com/taste/?id=105001735>.

Reuters. Text message essay baffles British teacher. 3 March 2003. 13 October 2009 <http://www.cnn.com/2003/EDUCATION/03/03/offbeat.text.essay.reut/index.html>.

Tracey, Jan. Keeping the boys away from the girls. 9 May 2008. 11 October 2009 <http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/05/09/keeping_the_boys_away_from_the_girls/>.written English was partly linked to the text messaging craze.