Usage of Millennial Language dilutes English History

Kheran O. Binongo

English is an important language of communication in the whole world. It is

widely used in different variety of individuals in different classes. Today’s generation
used English as a medium for speaking and expression. But throughout the history,
English has been redefining by the present generation into what we called as “millennial
language”. According to Ojaswine, English has evolved, defined and redefined.
Everyone is a lot more connected with the rest of the world. The kinds of terminologies
introduced by the millennial are slightly different than what the language has been so
far. But does the millennial today are really ruining this language? As we take a new
course of English language, we must take into account how does this prominent
language came through.

Throughout the history, Old English has evolved through different influences. As
explained by Open University (2011), English language started as soon as the Roman
left by the arrival of three Germanic tribes who invaded Britain in the 5 th century. These
tribes introduce the Angle Saxon language which was used in everyday things and even
the creation of the four days of the week. After that, came the Christians and Vikings
who give more simple Latin words. But then follows King William, the first Norman King
of England, who added a slew of French and Latin words to the English dictionary. All in
all 10,000 English words were absorbed from the Normans (Open University, 2011).

After the hundred years of war, English become a language of power. It got
further boost though the development of English literature and culture which was super
headed by William Shakespeare, who invented over 1,700 words which influences the
development of English language (LinguaEnglish, 2015). Thus on the year 1611, King
James Bible was published under the authority of King James I of England. This
translation mark influence on English literary style specifically in English Bible which
was accepted as the standard (Britannica, King James Version). Towards the end of
Middle English, new words and phrase enter the language resulted to a Great Vowel
Shift. The only difference between Early Modern English and Late Modern English is
vocabulary. Many more words arise due to technological advancement where English
was the center of a lot of scientific progress with evolution of language (LinguaEnglish,
2015).

The history of English may have been very complex and various things happen in
order to shape our English language today. English language before are far more
intricate and standardized than today. The development of what we call universal
language was because of various influences that connect people all around the world.
But the evolution of English is still ongoing as the new generation takes place, a new
changing course of language occurs. Though Old English seems a bit
incomprehensible, for now it has been completely ruined by slangs, redefinition and
abbreviations. But according to Baker (2018), English isn’t being ruined – it’s just
changing, and that’s a good thing. But this statement is contrary to the argument of
Fonteyn that says millennial are “breaking the constraints” of written English to “be as
expressive as you can be in spoken language”. Even so the purpose of English
language is to communicate, but it isn’t common nowadays to speak standardized
English. But according to Thompson, dead languages like Latin didn’t just disappear;
they just changed so much they became unrecognizable. Nobody speaks Old English
anymore, but people still speak English.

To jump into conclusion, English is not being ruined and it was just changing
from what it was since the beginning of its evolution. In the present it’s still ongoing
changing, from the complicated and deep meaning words to a short, abbreviated and
understandable words. It doesn’t matter if it’s changing, as long as we can understand
each other using words of Modern English language, despite whatever slang or dialect
is being used, language has done its job.
References:
Baker, H. (2016, January 26). How Millennials are changing the English Language.
Retrieved from https://www.adlibbing.org/2017/01/26/millennials-changing-
english-language/
Britannica. (2017, October 24). King James Version History and Background.
Retrieved from https://www.Britan nica.com/topic/King-James-Version
LinguaEnglish. (2015, September 9). A Short History of English Language. Retrieved
from https://www.lingualearnenglish.com/blog/featured/a-short-history-of-the-
english-language/
Ojaswini, K. (2018, June 14). How Millennials are redefining the English Language.
Retrieved from https://blog.cudoo.com/how-millennials-are-redefining-the-
english-language
[OpenLearn from The Open University]. (2011, November 8). History of English
(combined) [VideoFile]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3r9bOkYW9s
Thompson, R. (2018, April 2). Millennials destroyed the rules of written English – and
created something better.
Retrieved from https://mashable.com/2018/04/02/ millennials-written-english/
Plagiarism Test: