One of the results of digital communication is turning out to be a more limited vocabulary. Texting and e-mail are transactional by nature and generally require less of a sophisticated lexicon. This may acceptable for most of daily communication. But when it comes to dealing with disagreements or misunderstandings, a person’s lack of nuanced language can result in irritation and even anger simply for expression a position or opinion.
Prior to the proliferation of these electronic exchanges, someone might have said to you, “I object to that idea” or “I disagree with you.” Typically,
there would be a short explanation that followed. The e-mail version of this has become, “You’re wrong,” with no additional text to clarify the position. Besides, expressing disagreement and telling someone they’re wrong are two difference things anyway. In texting parlance, the response might be reduced even further to “That sucks.”
While this colloquial language may be acceptable, or even expected between teens and twenty-somethings, those in older generations can find it offensive. But placing emotions aside, one has to wonder about the consequences of this increasingly blasé form of communication. Is it indicative of the effort being put forth by those who use it? Perhaps.
In some circles, these electronic exchanges have become more nuanced using a lexicon of abbreviations such as IMHO, or “In my humble opinion.” But today’s inbred impatience and focus on efficiency has resulted in a staccato communication where function seems to be more important depth of message.
For most everyday interactions, this more simplistic vocabulary is acceptable. With teenagers sending an average of more than 100 text messages a day, it is understandable that short is better. (There is more effort expended in thumbing than there is in talking.) I do wonder, however, about the future of work that requires more sophisticated language. I would hate to think that we are reducing our power to persuade, entertain and evoke emotion to the chatty lexicon used on Facebook and Twitter. We’ll see.