Language Contact

Introduction
All languages undergo evolution with time and get different variations from the native as their use diversifies globally. Although this phenomenon and its resulting nature are quite unpredictable, they are bound to occur as the world seeks to embrace multiculturalism. In the contemporary world, Internet use influences this aspect immensely although a division by elites exists on its effects as either advantageous or otherwise. Despite explicit knowledge that Internet access is revolutionary to communication through rapid distribution of opinions and messages, the scope of these effects are subject to debate. This essay explains how Internet has been transformational in language convergence and the mechanisms that have ultimately effected these changes. Mechanisms of Language shift

To affect language change by either a shift or convergence using human contact or cyberspace requires several mechanisms. Thomason highlights these mechanisms as “code-switching, code-alternation, passive familiarity, negotiation, second language acquisition strategies, bilingual first language acquisition and change by deliberate decision” (2001, p.129). Important for language convergence is code switching that involves the use of aspects from different languages at the same time. As a typological mechanism of induced language change, it is conflicting and closely relates to acquisition of second language mechanism of language change. This mechanism is common in online conversations particularly in social networks a phenomenon that contributes to language convergence. Similarly, code alteration that involves the use of a specific language based on the environment also promotes convergence particularly in communication that is computer mediated. During job seeking, online scholarship application and aptitude tests, the language used is different from that of social network interactions and sending friendly emails. Effects of Internet on Language Convergence

Induced changes in language where bilingualism and the mutual borrowing of syntactic and morphological features as a typological event are continually increasing on Internet use. As such, Internet use without introducing in-person contact effects language convergence as little dialect subjectivity occurs on written languages. Such realisations are feasible as written language surpasses spoken one in modern day. Ostler argues that internet induced changes on widely spoken languages such as English will not effect their replacement but rather they will recede and converge with other Lingua Franca languages such as Arabic, Greek and Latin. This author attributes the radical changes to language convergence as new technologies such as Internet facilitating multiple translations of native languages take shape, the rising of third-world countries and the ongoing campaign for global equity downgrading the high ranks of elites. Contrary, Thomason argues that language convergence is not effective unless contact occurs, suggestions that indicate the Internet as less influential in language convergence. Furthermore, the author emphasises that contact resulting to convergence changes language phrenology, introduces novel words and changes sentence structures.

During such changes, multilingualism may occur, endangering and extinction of other languages due to continued decline may occur too. Correspondingly, Winford also views contact as the only effect approach to convergence although he stresses that it is holistic and inducible using various social factors such as social networking. He highlights that this code switching state is a tactic of language maintenance across different cultures. With the global technological development, the Internet as a sociolinguistic tool is becoming common effecting induced change in languages. The use of abbreviations, short sentences and words, which the modern world perceives easily in a bid to communicate fast, is increasing. Furthermore, the implantation of slang as a mainstream language is becoming common. This depicts a great deal of convergence in a bid to make the world more interactive although it results to loss of the antique values of native languages. Comrie states the issue of language transformation as playing an essential role in changing the English used in Great Britain today due to Germanic influence. In this case, the Internet occurs as the major cause of poor standardization in documented standards of language such as in dictionaries and their similarity with actual usage in speaking.

From another point of view, Crabill highlights that language change due to online communication has less effective signs contrary to interactions involving human contact that have explicit non-verbal and verbal indications. Using the social identity hypothesis Crabill attests to the increasing communication that is computer-mediated claiming of its influence in selecting a certain language’s constructs and desired changes. Although this is the case, he makes fun of alleges that internet fosters language-language relationships and changes in diversified geographical regions claiming it as unacceptable knowing that the processes, which lead to such events are difficult and less comprehensive. Taking in account the different views of these authors, it is obvious that the debate on the influence of Internet on language convergence is still on and that further research on those topics is essential.

Conclusion
The findings of this essay reveal a crucial role of the Internet in effecting language change particularly in terms of convergence since it can reach a wide range of people within a short duration. The effects of these changes using the Internet are however controversial with proponents saying it plays an immense role in convergence while antagonists view such opinions as subjective and unrealistic without human contact.

References

Comrie, B. (2008). Origin and evolution of languages approaches, models, paradigms. London: Equinox Publishing. Crabill, S. (2010). Situating social identity through language convergence in online groups. Oakland: IGI Global Publishers. Ostler, N. (2010). The last Lingua Franca: English until the return of Babel. New York: Walker and Company publishers. Thomason, G. (2001). Language contact. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press Winford, D. (2003). An introduction to contact linguistics. USA: Wiley-Blackwell Publishers.

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