In the article “99.9% of Proper Grammar is Obsolete” the author discusses the changes in communication that have taken place as a result of the web. The formal methods of writing English are slowly and gradually disappearing. This was not noticeable at the time the article was published in 2003. Formal documents such as mainstream publications still use the correct sentence structure, and are free from grammatical errors. But this is not the case for documents and conversations taking place outside the boundaries of mainstream documents. In today’s world, where creativity is the order of the day, little attention is paid to grammatically correct sentence structure. The main focus is upon getting the message across to the required individual or group. There are certain jargons that are atypical of specific websites and groups. Users of these websites are accustomed towards this language; consequently, contributing to the further deterioration of the English language.
The language being used over the web was previously known as “shorthand”, but is now increasingly becoming common where there is communication involved between two or more parties. Some websites still limit themselves to using the correct grammar and punctuation keeping into consideration their audience. However, the emails exchanged between people and instant messaging are highly influence by what is called the shorthand. In the fast paced environment in which individuals function, it is considered a hassle to make an extra effort to use proper grammar and sentence structure. The costs associated with formulating grammatically correct sentences outweigh the benefits; therefore, people do not put in the extra effort required.
The rate of people who can identify mistakes in grammar is decreasing, and the number of people who can write proper grammar is even lower. Web users are aware of the fact that it is essential for them to adapt to the changing trends of the internet. In order to maintain compatibility with other writers, users strive to increase their speed which further causes ignorance towards the sentence structure and format. Editorial methods of correcting the errors will not prove to be a useful technique in the dynamic environment of the web. Individuals who waste time in correcting these errors will lag behind; therefore, allowing competitors to take over.
References
Wertheimer, D. (2002, September 17). Digital Web Magazine - 99.9% of Proper Grammar Is Obsolete. Digital Web Magazine - 99.9% of Proper Grammar Is Obsolete. Retrieved February 28, 2014, from http://www.digital-web.com/articles/999_of_proper_grammar_is_obsolete/
