A reaction to “Is English Changing?” by Betty Birner
The English language will undergo change whether we like it or not, in one way or another. And we have to adjust to it. Betty Birner’s article explains why and how the English language is changing. It explains that the English language changes because the needs of the speakers change; we get new words from many different places; and that we borrow some words from different languages and change them by shortening and creating a new word. It also states that word order changes, as well as sounds, change.
The article shows that people like Shakespeare have an influence on other people and has a great impact on the changes that occur in the English language. And without knowing it, people adapt to these changes that affect the environment and the culture and language of a social community.
And yes, I do agree that language from Shakespeare’s time is more elegant, meaningful, and logical than modern forms but of course, because of certain changes and with people studying and correcting the English language, it becomes less logical and less “correct”. I have also observed that the younger generation is most influential with the language use nowadays and that the English language is indeed becoming different. We have different views on it, but for me, the younger generation should study more of the past with regards to the English language. Study in terms of literature like Beowulf and Shakespeare. There is a need for this so as to guide them in creating a more meaningful vocabulary.
I would encourage the younger generation to read more and write more and learn more especially when it comes to the English language.
