IS OUR Britishness being destroyed by modern technology?

Our beloved true English language is slowly being eroded by western shortcuts creeping into everyday use.

I have noticed the use of an abbreviation ‘apps’ bandied about so frequently that TV adverts promote this abbreviated word ‘application’ as though the laziness of human speech is giving way to technology.

Since the war, so many new or abbreviated words have crept into everyday speaking, that the original meanings of real English words are distorted to suit the speaker’s laziness.

As just one example, take the English word pretty, which means something delicately attractive but the use of ‘pretty’ has become informal by using it in conjunction with a noun or adverb to express displeasure.

For instance: “He led me a pretty dance”, which is someway towards the opposite of its original meaning.

The English dictionary recognises these informal uses of our language but does not emphasise the original version, hence no one seems to take notice of such changes.

While I advocate progress and discovery, much is occurring in our world to the detriment of human values.

Latest technology rigged up to a young baby sends a message to the mother’s mobile phone when the baby needs a nappy change.

Again the destruction of common sense is being eradicated by our dependence on technology. Does humanity want to lose the ability to think for itself?

ADRIAN TAYLOR, Duncan Close, Eynsham