Social media is transforming our vocabulary

We have all, whether in our personal or business lives, become accustomed to a world of texting, Twitter, Facebook, website search engines, WhatsApp, etc. But I would argue brevity and the perceived need for immediate mass communication is taking its toll on the quality of the written word.

Texting has created a whole new lexicon of abbreviations, symbols and icons ignoring syntax and punctuation.

How often have you heard someone say “my email was completely misunderstood!”?

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) forces restrictions on terminology, constrained by the algorithms created to match search word input with databases. A review of websites reveals copy writers striving to meet the challenge to create differentiation and ranking whilst working within the limitation of key words. I am not arguing that we should all regress to pen, paper and carrier pigeon. But the need to work within the constraints of the size of a mobile phone or tablet screen inhibits the ability to use descriptive, evocative prose – very often replaced by stock images or photographs.

Furthermore, we are experiencing the rapid technological progress of voice control and simulated audio responses. Perhaps one day the need to be able to write or type will become obsolete. Voice recognition and bits and bytes based communication are rapidly transposing from the realms of Sci Fi to our homes and offices, eliminating the need for human contact.

Perhaps, in the not too distant future, entries to the Man Booker prize for literature will be dictated by the author and located on “cloud storage”, available for all to listen to and judge.

When that happens, remember you READ it here first!