Save Our Vowels
an article published in the September 2009 issue of Reader Digest pages 36-37.
BY Nury Vittachi.
It is an article that describes, and explains journalist point of view of many words form or short forms which "takes away" vowels and yet can be understood. In this particular article he includes several incidents of his actual experiences of "missing" vowels.
Firstly, I apologize for not being able to find this particular article online for you. However, if any of you owes a current issue of Reader's Digest (Sep 2009), I would recommend you to read this article which is pretty interesting, and very engaging.
Initially the writer mentioned about a text message that he received through his phone " Mt @ 3rd st crnr @12 , QT. " For those sms mania, I am pretty sure you would have guessed what it meant. Yes, that is quite similar to what the writer's colleague has interpreted," An attractive young woman wants to meet you at the corner of Third Street at noon." However, to his dismay, the fact was that the text message is from an insurance agent who calls Quentin. Now, you seethe writer's concern?
As mentioned in the article, there increasing number of such incidents happening everyday! Have you realise that the brand Reebok has suddenly gone missing? No, it has not! It just rename, RBK. There are many everyday examples like, KFC, Ng , Sng, etc., which no longer consist of vowels!
This is a reflection of how language influenced and impact us. As we all know that language is the primary tool for direct communication. When words start missing vowels miscommunication will arise!
A word itself can already be interpreted into many various meaning . Taking the word "drive" for example, as a verb, it already has 13 different meanings!(according to dictionary.com) Due to this fact, people from different backgrounds may interpret the word very differently, like drive, can mean hitting a ball during golf for a golfer,or simply mean the act of driving to a driver. Imagine this conversation:
Driver: I was moody, so i went to have a drive.
Golfer: really! how far did it go?!
Driver: well... to the nearest convenience store.
Golfer: WOW! you should teach me that!
Driver: erm... don't you have a driving license?
Just simply one word alone definitely is able to cause some misunderstandings between people. The driver was feeling puzzled through out the conversation as driving to the nearest convenience store definitely mean nothing to him except maybe a street, or two away? But, to the Golfer, it was definitely a very far distance for him to achieve.
Since past just a word alone is able to cause much misunderstanding, for now , what about words without vowels? I am sure more misunderstandings and problem would arise. Just like the word drive, if it is to be written without vowels would most likely be, dr or dv. Problems arise when one interpreted it as drive, the other as doctor or maybe even as DVD?!
However, many would argue, u r cn st rd ths y bther abt wrds w/o vwls?
I feel that there is a need to make sure that our vowels still remain in WORDS. Perhaps in a more formal scenario, but, at the same time try be more precise about what you are trying to get across, regardless of the fact with or without vowels, in order to minimise any possible miscommunication.
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i couldnt agree with you better that our vowels are getting missing, and this sight is particularly common in sms. Years ago im also one of the victims as i wanted to save space to tye in more for a sms. however it soon became a habit to type in the manner as everyone is doing so.
ReplyDeleteJust like you pointed out, it turned to become a communication when people do not understand the short forms i used or i don get what they are typing. from then, i make an effort to type in proper english as in a way not only the vowels are missing, our english standard do get pull down as well.
Be precise, add the vowels, and we could avoid the simplest breakdown in communication.
That is the norm in any communication between two parties. Sometimes, the one conveying the words may not be aware that the other party may be interpreting them wrongly. As such, it is always wiser, as a listener, to listen openly and not come to conclusions. In trivial matters, these confusion of words may just lead to a good burst of laugh between the two parties. However, in more serious matters, it may lead to misunderstandings/dischord/war and irreversible damage. It is true that we should choose our words carefully, but it is always as important to listen carefully and to clarify when in doubt.
ReplyDeletei do agree tt nowadays words are getting shorter and shorter with all the short forms. but it is not just the vowels themselves. like from wad i wrote, wad = what, tt = that. i feel that it all boils down to communications whether or not the other party will be able to understand you. bczo just like an individual personalities, each individual also have a different way of expressing themselves through words. and through the way they type messages. to a stranger, it may appear strange and he do not understand wad are trying to put across, but to ur close frens, they will surely be able to, and if u use an annoynamous phone to text them, they will be able to recognise it's u too. so it all boils down to how well u had communicated with the other party
ReplyDeleteIrene Yeo
ReplyDeletei think it's more important for us to differentiate when is the appropraite time to use short forms and proper English.
Because of our laziness or clever-ness, the extensive use of missing vowels have made it hard to convey our message clearly to the other party.
We must practise proper English and make ourselves be known to others!
Its because people tend to look for the easiest and most convenience way. In this context, the shortening of words.
ReplyDeleteSophie
Yunx Fadhly Sophie ireneyeo _ Thank you for commenting!
ReplyDeletexXhikaruXx _ Yes, I agree with that it is the way of how individual expresses themselves.
Maybe, it is a good thing to have common jarons or symbols or short forms that only a particular group would have. Because this makes all members in the group having a sense of belonging,and may also strengthen the bonds between members.
However, it may not be advisable in the sense that if another person who is new or does not belong to the group is suppose to get the message, it may cause confusion, like situations highlighted in the entry.
So, I feel that when messages are being sent to someone who is green or not in the group, one should send precise,clear message, and always clarify when in doubt. ( like what yunx, fadhly and ireneyeo mentioned)
Howdy! What a nice looking website you run! Did you make this domain on your own?
ReplyDelete