The answer, according to some detractors, is yes. But is slang really damaging the English language or is it just a natural part of its evolution?
Though colloquialisms have long been a part of the richness of the language, experts say that slang-filled “multicultural English” is overtaking proper English as teens’ preferred method of communication. Concerned parents and educators worry that their children’s inability to differentiate between slang and more formal speech could result in serious setbacks for them in the work world. As a result, some schools have gone to such lengths as to ban the use of slang; however, others disagree with such a hard-line approach. They argue that “slang is…a natural human tendency,” and they favor teaching youngsters about the appropriate uses of informal language as well as its origins, rather than trying to impose an outright ban that they say just won’t work.
Read more on the debate here at BBC News:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8388545.stm
I think it already has in a lot of ways.
Just look at texting and what teen these days doesn’t do it.
I’ve talked to teenages that say they text over a 1,000 times a day. And its all in slang and short form code.
I’m ok with natural evolution, but this excessive bastardization of the english language leaves communication unclear, which leads to misunderstandings, which leads to unnecessary inefficiency.
Time to get back to the basics before no one knows what anyone is talking about