The Impact of Technology on Language
POSITIVE EFFECTS NEGATIVE EFFECTS
• Allows people to communicate from far away • Degree of anonymity - can be dangerous
• Learn about topical issues • No immediate feedback
• Allows us to share with others • Slang, incorrect grammar
• Support business communication • Prevents you from speaking to others
• Communication is faster and more efficient • Addiction- always checking your phone
• Immediacy can help safety and security • Can cause bullying- sitting behind a screen
• Traceable • Excludes older generations
• Creating networks with people • Potential dangers by lack of e-safety
• Instant information • Online arguments, trolling- can’t indicate tone or
•Supports those with face-to-face confidence subtlety
issues • Ownership of language issues
• Educational programmes/ games • Permanence- digital footprint
• Impact on social skills? Literacy?
Key Terms
Acronym The initial letters form a new word
Affixation Adding a prefix or a suffix to an existing word
Compounding Combining separate words
Clipping A shortened word becomes a word in its own right
Blending Parts of two words a combined
Conversion An existing word changes its grammatical function
Coinage Completely new word made
LANGUAGE CHANGE