Adults mimicking teen-speak ‘turning English language sloppy’
By ANITuesday, December 7, 2010
LONDON - An expert has said that adults mimicking teen-speak are to blame for spreading sloppy English, which is putting the future of the language at risk.
Western society’s obsession with youth has led to older people trying to talk like teenagers, warned Marie Clair, of the Plain English Campaign.
As a result, it may be too late to “turn the tide on our declining English”, said Clair.
“Through Twitter, Facebook and texting, young people create their own language because they don’t want to sound like stuffy adults,” the Daily Mail quoted her as saying.
“There is a worrying trend of adults mimicking teen-speak. They are using slang words and ignoring grammar.
“Their language is deteriorating. They are lowering the bar. Our language is flying off at all tangents, without the anchor of a solid foundation.
“Even English teachers struggle and come to us for help, Clair said.
Clair cited David Cameron saying ‘tw*t’ during a radio interview last year.
She said: “He ended up sounding like an idiot.”
Speaking ahead of National Plain English Day on Friday, Clair said the loss of letter writing in schools was a major factor. (ANI)
