There is nothing that gets me more vexed then someone misjudging the youth’s evolution of language. For years there has been a stereotype surrounding the youth’s use of the English language. Most words that are commonly used today that adults now class as ‘slang’ or ‘street talk’ were probably the same words your parents used as youths, but yet people class it as a disgrace to the English language because of the bad image of the youth of today that is portrayed to the media. Things such as knife and gang crime gives the youth of today the image that makes the adults look at them the way they do.

 

People like Isabelle Kerr are the type of people who cannot comprehend the English language because she cannot accept these new words such as “selfie”, I strongly believe these are necessary to the ever changing English language, despite the points she had made on her visualization of the ‘correct’ way of speaking and using the English language. Although, if she was arguing about how we speak and use words nowadays, we would still be talking as Shakespeare did in 16th Century, but we have evolved, and I bite thy thumb at thee who question evolution.

 

So, I do not believe that ‘Shakespeare will be turning in his grave’ more the fact that he would be resting in peace knowing that his legacy has been carried on through the youth of today. Words such as swagger or more known now as swag, are words that were first introduced by Shakespeare in Midsummer Night’s Dreams. Although Shakespeare may have used the word ‘swaggered’ in a different way, and having a different meaning, it does not change the fact that it is still classed a correct English word. It is clear to see the how it has changed through time, and is one example of many that show how some individuals have impacted our English language, so why can’t it be us, Isabelle? Are we not the next generation that can carry the English language on?

 

So being a teenager in this age means that you are “apathetic” or an “ASBO-wielding yob”, but can you really put a stereotype on a whole generation? We are all individuals who are all learning and embracing the English language. Isabelle Kerr is the real criminal to the English language, how can she blame youth employment on how we talk or text? Surely it is clear to see that the use of this language is thinking outside the box, and youth unemployment has nothing to do with how we talk, but more about the job opportunities that are offered to us. The younger generations cannot be blamed for something they do not control, teenagers are not in power and cannot create job opportunities like the government could, and should!  Maybe that should be considered when trying to stereotype youths. Just because “twerking” and “selfies” are the new fashion, and people may not enjoy young people expressing themselves in way that they seem fit, does not mean that it should be ignored. If anything, they should be put into the dictionary, for everyone so they can understand and move with the times. After all we are evolving with technology, and are being influenced all the time by new developments and discoveries because of technology.

 

It is unfortunate that some words may have been left behind, but this shows that the language is progressing all the time. Words such as “groovy” were just not “kl” enough to make the cut.

 

However just because the youth use words that are classed as slang it does not mean we should cut the growth of the development of language as that we keep finding new trends, what make the English language unique is that it will keep changing, even though the definition will be left for the future generations to see what language we used in the past, because they may not be taking a selfie in the future, although I can be sure that they will not be ASBO wielding yobs. They will be the kids of the future with their own way to communicate between them self’s, that’s what make the English language so special. A constant growing and everlasting Language.