The need for speed and the value of speech

The need for speed and the value of speech

Our times are times of speed and rapid evolution. Expressing onerself in short phrases is considered as a useful and essential skill. The Greeks, however, love talking and have always been actual chatterboxes. Therefore they've managed to combine their need to communicate with the modern need for speed by the use of technology.

Personally, when I wake up in the morning I usually log in my internet connection. I do the same at noon, before or after lunch, in the afternoon, while eating my fruit, as well as in the evening, while watching TV. And I surely have a look before I go to bed. What for? My messages of course! I chat with my sister, who is in the next room, or with my classmate asking about our homework or with my American friend to exchange our news. In short, my internet connection stays on almost all day long. I must admit that sometimes, in order to avoid the temptation of using the wide range of possibilities my cell phone and laptop offer me, I give them away to my mum.

I guess most of you may think that I am addicted to technology. But you should consider the fact that you do exactly the same. You may also be addicted, to a certain extent. Is all this, however, to our benefit, as it has become part and parcel of our daily routine? Undoubtedly, not.

On the one hand, the advantages of communication through the Internet are many. At first, it makes it possible to communicate with people who live far away from us, eliminating the distance between us very easily and quickly. Secondly, it gives us access to all kind of information, knowledge and entertainment at the time we want it and according to our preferences. Finally, it gives us the opportunity, not only to receive information passively but also to express our opinions and comment on the pieces of news we find in various sites, blogs and social media.

On the other hand, obsession with this kind of communication has an important impact on us and our native language. We tend to neglect our schoolwork or even our daily entertainment with friends. The consequences to our language are more dangerous, as we tend to make grammatical or spelling errors because of writing fast or using the latin alphabet (greeklish). Our language carries our nation’s history. It is a reflection of our origins. Because of the fast pace of the technological world, we tend to use our language wrongly. The more and the faster we talk, the poorer and the more restricted the vocabulary we use. This is a great shame, as the Greek language is an ancient language, famous for its rich vocabulary, its expressive power and its accuracy. Finally, an equally important impact of the increase of digital communication is the misuse of acronyms, in order to shorten our speech. We do not realise, though, the negative impact this may have on our mental abilities and communication skills.

It is neither possible nor desirable, of course, to live without technology. However, we should think of some ways to limit digital communication only where it is needed, promoting more direct communication. It is best to socialise with our peers in person, discussing, exchanging opinions, so we can broaden our horizons. There can always be a book (paper or digital) which could contribute to our mental development. I believe we should realise that our language is an essential element of our culture, a part of ourselves. Therefore, we should do anything we can to use the modern media of technology in ways that help us communicate with each other without threatening the quality and variety of our language.

To sum up, digital communication has become a part and parcel of our life. As long as we use it in moderation, we should benefit from it without putting at risk our native language and, in this way, keeping our national identity unspoiled.

Maria Tsigara, Greece