All signs point to a significant change in the way we communicate. In fact, it’s been happening for years, and you may not have even noticed it.
As we use web technology for our communication needs more and more and as it becomes more integral and integrated with our daily lives, language changes.
But here’s the kicker: It’s not that we’ve begun developing applications and software that mimic more of what we say and do, but rather we’ve changed and adapted to the way that computers “think” and “do.”
We’re becoming more like computers (in language) every day.
The easiest example is to think about “short cuts” and various acronyms that we now frequently use, like LOL and FTW and BBIAB and OMG and TTYL the list goes on and on.
Going one step further, what about the all-powerful and often used smiley face?
=) or π
You see, that’s how computers operate and how software programmers develop code. We think of shortcuts and phrases that can explain and process complex logic into the fewest keystrokes as possible.
We’ve simplified the complex emotion of happiness into 3 keystrokes: Equal sign, then shift, then zero produces: =)
Fascinating, right? Of course, we’d never truly admit that such a complex emotional experience and response could ever be summed up in 3 keystrokes, but apparently we do so all the time. Let’s not even get into the nuances of the “wink”…!
π
There are obviously more complex examples than this, but this probably gives you a good start into what I’ve been thinking for some time.
So the question(s) are: Are you changing as our language is changing and are you willing to live (and serve) in that growing tension? What are you doing so as to make sure that your complex thoughts and emotions are being adequately explained and intepreted in the online space? Is it even possible?
This is what the “semantic web” is all about. It’s here, it’s growing, and it’s not waiting for you to accept it’s existence. What will you do?
Schellack says
It should be noted that written and spoken language is different, and has always been. Of course, how you write an email to a business client and how you write on Twitter will (for most people) be very different in terms of the language used. Talking about emoticons (e.g. smilies π ) is different because those could be considered a new addition to the written/online language. They mean something very different than just “happy” or “sad” as they are used to give context to quickly written text in order to try to make up for the difficulty inherent to written, personal communication. Verbal communication relies on body language and/or inflection to help communicate. So-called emoticons are typically used to help add in that “functionality” (if you will) in this language space.
Also, the semantic web (http://bit.ly/smntcwb) typically does not refer to our use of language within the electronic realm, but rather indicates the design principles (often technical in nature) and technologies that seek to make the World Wide Web easier to navigate and understand for computers, so that data can be meaningfully manipulated by whatever program or device that we might dream up, for the ultimate, truly collaberative web.
human3rror says
Jonathan,
Although your wiki link to semantic is true, it's incomplete. things like wolfram alpha are changing the game. I wanted to add links to it, but hesitated to unpack it fully. great points though.
i've been studying semantic technology and it's evolution for years. we still have no idea where it'll head… but we can guess!
Aaron says
A better title would have been, "Our language is changing, WWJD?" π
human3rror says
ooooh. i like it.
Aaron says
I thought it was pretty clever, if I do say so myself.
human3rror says
hehe. i thought so too.
Jim says
i should bump you one for the big head thing again!
Aaron says
Must.
Refrain.
From.
Inappropriate.
Comment.
Jim says
Bahahaha! It was clever!
Scott Magdalein says
I definitely think language is changing. In fact, linguistics experts are constantly on the front line of where culture and philosophy are headed. Good post. Retweeted.
human3rror says
Thanks scott!
human3rror says
thanks dude!
Jim says
adapt and keep moving
Graham Brenna says
what am I doing?… I blog… randomly… *wink*