Language of the 2000s.

The EraThe growth of the internet was one of the main contributors to globalization during this decade. This lead to people being able to communicate and interact with others across the world. The development of the internet also improved the ways people learn and research, as well as buy products online.

Other main events in the 2000s included the 9/11 attacks, the Iraq war and natural disasters including a tsunami from the Indian Ocean following an earthquake on Boxing Day.

Science and technology also played a big part during the 2000s. The Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Mission successfully reached the surface of Mars in 2004 and sent detailed data and images of the landscape there back to Earth. Technology such as wireless Internet became available and many social networking sites were invented such as MySpace, Facebook and Twitter.

Influences The language continues to grow, expanding to incorporate new jargons, slangs, technologies, toys, foods and gadgets.

The main influences of language during this era has been down to technology transformation including the inventions of new hardware , software and gadgets. For example, the creation of the iPod in 2001.

Furthermore, because of the rise in internet users and mobile phones, slang has also been expanding which can introduce new neologisms. Acronyms, keyboard symbols and shortened words are often methods of abbreviation in Internet slang. The same type of slang is used in mobile phone SMS, social networks and instant messaging. This type of language does not always obey or follow standard English grammar. People often use slang is this way to make it quicker and easier to communicate with others.

Reasons for changes•Reasons to use slang-There are many reasons why people use slang words and expressions. For example, some people use slang just for fun or as a way to be witty, clever or different.

Slang also enriches the language. Many use it as a way to be friendly or to show that they belong to a certain group or profession. Some engage in slang to be secretive, like those in secret societies or students.

Slang is a way of using descriptive or figurative language. Sometimes it is humorous and slang expressions can often describe activities or objects.

•As new inventions are created, new language and jargon (specialist terms) are introduced.

•Language often changes through the process of borrowing words and constructions from foreign languages. English has not only borrowed words but has also re-combined and recycled them to create new meanings.

Examples of the language - Lexis

From the 2000s: • Buzz - shave your head• Cougar - older woman dating younger man• Peep – person• Tat – tattoo• Cyber bullying • Tweet (a short, timely message sent via Twitter, and

verb, the act of sending such a message)

Examples Continued

• Bling – expensive clothing and jewellery • Bromance – a close but non-sexual relationship

between 2 men (an example of blending brother and romance)• Chillax – calm down and relax (blending of chill and

relax)• Guyliner – eyeliner that is worn by men• Jeggings – tight-fitting stretch trousers for women,

styled to resemble a pair of denim jeans (jeans and leggings)• Unfriend – Remove (someone) from a list of friends or

contacts on a social networking website.

Quiz

• What social networking sites were invented in the era that later led to new neologisms?

• Why did the use of slang expand significantly during the 2000s?

• Give 3 examples of new language