In the age of texting and short cut writing is the world going to go towards American English for formal writing?

I think it has more to do with America being much more important in the world than Britain.

Now, now @bob_ we are pretty damn powerful for a tiny island nation.

@bob_ But, a lot of the world uses British English, not just the UK.

@JLeslie Yeah, former colonies.

@bob_ So you think it is likely the American way of spelling, even sentence structure, vocabulary, and speaking possibly, will become more predominant?

@JLeslie Definitely.

In the age of texting and short-cut writing, the world is going to start using English in its own way.

Look at what has happened to English with regards to Singlish and Hinglish.

The world is not about to start speaking British or American English (regardless of how we define them). To expect otherwise smacks of a colonialist mindset.

I think it would be he neighbourly thing to do – at least honour those of us who write thus; the cheque is in the mail.

@the100thmonkey I did not mean it as something that would be dictated by America, I just wondered if people thought English might evolve that way in the future. I also did not mean the whole world would lose their first languages, and have one language for all. I only meant of those who use English.

I use Spanglish when I text and a little bit when speaking.

Eek totally different! That makes me super sad that “r” “c” and “u” are considered “American English.” I think Europeans might even do that more! I always write out entire words, in texts, and not. And for some reason I’ve always written “behaviour.”

@sliceswiththings r c u are not considered words, just used in texting.

But lol, fyi and bff are official words now.

They are? Hahahahaha. My mom invented FF I think. I gotta tell her.

Oh yes indeed.

OMG is also an official word and I believe WTF is up for consideration. It doesn’t matter the language of origin, we use acronyms as words if they expedite communication.

In the US we use RSVP, etc., i.e., e.g., snafu, awol, without regard for the original language or meaning because those words are quick and convenient.

It may be true that most of the new txt spk commonalities come from American English because many other countries teach their students to speak English as a second language and the most popular websites are written in English so the common usages catch on globally.

I don’t think so. Although I find it very convenient through text. Maybe it should stick to informal relationships.