Tome And Plume: Grammar Cops Fight Back To Outgun Social Media Language
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place — George Bernard Shaw Social media has changed our language. But if parents and teachers of previous generations heard or saw such language, they would create a hue and cry. Similarly, such language would have shocked the editors of English newspapers, too. For example, people of previous…
Grammar enforcement on social media is a contentious issue. George Bernard Shaw once said, "The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." The evolution of language on social media has led to a clash between traditional grammatical standards and the more fluid usage found online. Words like 'lit' have transformed from meaning 'lit' as in 'lit' as 'bright' or 'lighted' in previous generations, to 'cool' or 'exciting' today.
The rise of hip-hop and rap culture played a significant role in this shift, with phrases like 'The party was lit' now meaning 'The party was exciting or fun'.
Similarly, expressions such as 'sit an examination' or 'write an examination' are deemed incorrect by English dictionaries, but they are commonly used on social media. The dictionaries have acknowledged the usage of Indian words like 'Jai Ho' and 'guru', but have largely discarded other expressions. The language on social media is dynamic, with terms like 'low-key', 'goated', and 'crash out' being widely used. These words often originate from African American Vernacular English (AAVE).
Social media users also employ phrases like 'Rizz' and 'Rage bait' to express charisma and provoke reactions respectively. The term 'TA' from TED Talks now denotes a well-delivered speech of about 18 minutes. The term 'aura points' is used to describe exceptional performance. While traditionalists may be put off by these expressions, social media users have embraced them.
Even the Oxford English Dictionary acknowledged 'Rage bait' as the word of the year for 2023. Even as social media users struggle with maintaining 'pure' written language, it is crucial to understand the reality of modern communication.
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