The Evolution of Language

Hunter Stuteville, Staff Reporter
October 3, 2011
Filed under Opinion

The evolution of the English language is fascinating in of it’s self, but teenagers do not think of  The Kings Language as English. The English spoken by most of the world now is in a sense American. The examination of why the Americanized English word has taken the world by storm leads me to one reason, it’s easy.

Simple linguistics used by the American people has become the most accessible language in the world and whether the citizens of the world realize it or not, the leading source for change in communication is, brace yourself, teenagers. That’s right. Teenagers are the trendsetters, the cool kids on the block, and the slang and expression of this overlooked population of incognito intellectuals has been the driving force behind the communication revolution.

From my observations, the American teenager on average uses one slang word per casual sentence, be it ya or dude, that is not proper English, but it has been worked into our conciseness as the correct way to speak. Slang is an informal change of the language, often with subliminal meanings placed in, so as to avoid detection, unfortunately for the underground meanings of the words, they have become common place in our alien language filled with ethnic words.

The generation the slang is being used in has importance on the words’ evolution, where as men and women being referred to as Cat’s and Kitten’s in the 70’s has died off, universal words such as most curse words have for some reason stood the test of time. Why is it that casual words created for generational use only have all but died, but language considered taboo have attracted not just a cult following of a few individuals, but a total acceptance into our world? Words that were once inappropriate to utter in a females presence are now being used by the females themselves. Is this a change of times, or just vulgarity capturing the American hearts and minds?

American slang can be traced back to the first colonists. Words like rhino meant money, and albeit slang, it honestly makes no sense. Fast forward to 2011, sick now means cool, once again it makes no sense, since when did the violent fight your body waged against a viral invader mean something that’s interesting?

Is a investigation into the teenage mind necessary or do I just need to watch a episode of the Jersey Shore to understand the words that have overtaken my generation? Maybe both will be necessary, but one thing is sure, I now wonder how this all started and will the English language die and be taken over by the diction of the teenager, or will proper English fight back, and live to talk another day?

My personal interest with language has always been there. I’m just not sure why. It’s very possible that it started with my first true foray into the written word. Or more likely, it comes from my unalienable interest into the human psychology.

Slang, unlike any other form of speak, has captured my imagination like a vice. How can something so contradictory with anything we’ve ever been taught in school, feel so right to say? I believe though that it’s all relative to the world, after all it’s in our music, films, television, and clothing, why not let the suburban teenage word take over, but possibly that’s a bad position.

I personally believe that cohesion of slang and The Kings English is possible, with of course, a casualty, and ending sentences properly instead of a copious use of the word dude. I personally believe that a universal language will emerge in the future, but why not one that sounds nice and has a foundation of proper words? Will the words yes and thank you survive, or are we destined for constant chants of “Yea buddy?”

The future will come and language will change, and when that day comes and names are all replaced by the word bro, I know at least there is always one solution, so for heaven’s sake if it all goes downhill, “Beam me up Scotty”.