Nonstandard English is more commonly spoken and written than most of us care to realize. Variations in English can be identified in all areas of the United States; however, it is not always easy to figure out where the differences root from. Modified English is often influenced by cultural, social, and regional differences. Other aspects that have recently altered Standard English practices, especially concerning the rise of negative concords, include social networking and reality television.
Thirty years ago when people connected communication was usually conveyed through rather formally written letters and verbal conversations that took place in person or on the telephone. However, today many of us communicate by utilizing social networks through the Internet. Because of the World Wide Web, we are exposed to a vast amount of people to communicate with from all over the country, or even the world for that matter. Because of this fact, variations of English can be unknowingly influenced by many different cultures, social classes, and regions. Some people, even the educated, eventually adapt to writing nonstandard English because they simply want to fit in, or because they constantly encounter it on the web. When I log into Facebook, I commonly see statements such as “I ain’t done nothin to nobody,” which includes negative concords. The interesting thing about this that I have noticed is that people of different ages, races, social classes, and sexes have written, shared, or at least liked a similar statement on Facebook. I think if we see a statement like that many times, it can eventually influence our own written language.
Likewise, reality television has influenced the increase of negative concords; however, it has mainly affected the way some people communicate verbally. Currently, reality television and scenarios infiltrate social networking sites and television channels. Reality television has introduced different groups of people from all over the country that express certain languages, values, and behaviors. Since we are constantly exposed to such media, I think it can eventually influence our own language as well, especially if these shows are watched on a daily or weekly basis. I noticed that my son’s language changed when he was commonly watching Jersey Shore. Also, I have an uncle who watches Cops on a daily basis, so he usually expresses the foul language of a poverty stricken criminal that is getting arrested. It seems that some of the popular reality shows revolve around ignorant and uneducated folks who often express statements such as “I ain’t done nothin to nobody.” I do think that hearing these kinds of statements on television and the computer can eventually influence the language of anyone who watches these shows often.
The English language has always been influenced by one thing or another. However, the Internet and reality television has recently affected the increase of nonstandard English in regards to negative concords. As a result, mass amounts of people are accumulating written and spoken languages that are commonly expressed in whichever media they choose to follow or utilize.
Thirty years ago when people connected communication was usually conveyed through rather formally written letters and verbal conversations that took place in person or on the telephone. However, today many of us communicate by utilizing social networks through the Internet. Because of the World Wide Web, we are exposed to a vast amount of people to communicate with from all over the country, or even the world for that matter. Because of this fact, variations of English can be unknowingly influenced by many different cultures, social classes, and regions. Some people, even the educated, eventually adapt to writing nonstandard English because they simply want to fit in, or because they constantly encounter it on the web. When I log into Facebook, I commonly see statements such as “I ain’t done nothin to nobody,” which includes negative concords. The interesting thing about this that I have noticed is that people of different ages, races, social classes, and sexes have written, shared, or at least liked a similar statement on Facebook. I think if we see a statement like that many times, it can eventually influence our own written language.
Likewise, reality television has influenced the increase of negative concords; however, it has mainly affected the way some people communicate verbally. Currently, reality television and scenarios infiltrate social networking sites and television channels. Reality television has introduced different groups of people from all over the country that express certain languages, values, and behaviors. Since we are constantly exposed to such media, I think it can eventually influence our own language as well, especially if these shows are watched on a daily or weekly basis. I noticed that my son’s language changed when he was commonly watching Jersey Shore. Also, I have an uncle who watches Cops on a daily basis, so he usually expresses the foul language of a poverty stricken criminal that is getting arrested. It seems that some of the popular reality shows revolve around ignorant and uneducated folks who often express statements such as “I ain’t done nothin to nobody.” I do think that hearing these kinds of statements on television and the computer can eventually influence the language of anyone who watches these shows often.
The English language has always been influenced by one thing or another. However, the Internet and reality television has recently affected the increase of nonstandard English in regards to negative concords. As a result, mass amounts of people are accumulating written and spoken languages that are commonly expressed in whichever media they choose to follow or utilize.