The Things You Can Read: The One Word In Everyone's Texts/Conversations Right Now

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Thursday, August 7, 2014

The One Word In Everyone's Texts/Conversations Right Now

Source

The idea of the English language morphing and changing at the speed of light is a concept that is a more recent development-at least in my mind. I think it is a sign of the times that started with the use of email, but has seen an even more rapid growth with Facebook, Twitter, Et cetera, Et Cetera, Et Cetera. Social media has really been behind the growth of these "new words" that seem to eventually make their way into the hallowed pages of the Merriam Webster Dictionary. Thanks to Huffington Post recent article "The One Word In Everyone's Texts/Conversations Right Now" I learned all about the SLASH. Yes, you heard me the SLASH. I guess it is a verbal way to "air quote". You be the judge. According to the article:

"After so much time being delegated to such boring utilitarian functions as dates ("8/30/2014") and fractions ("3/4 cup"), the humble slash mark seems to be getting a linguistic makeover. Anne Curzan, professor of English at the University of Michigan, described the practice among students in her classroom last year. Since then, Curzan told me in an email, she's been studying examples of slash usage on Twitter. The most common use corresponds most closely to "and/or," but she said a fair number are "used to connect one idea to another, perhaps meaning something like 'following up' or as something like a spoken semi-colon." Still, other examples use the slash as a way to indicate "truth values for the elements it connects," Curzan explained. In other words, saying one thing when what you really mean is the next. Like saying you need to rest when what you're really planning is binge-watching TV." Huffington Post

What do you think of the SLASH. Are you using it in conversations. Check out the full article and let us know your thoughts here at The Things You Can Read.

Happy Reading & Writing☮

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here