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Originally Posted by (c)2000 Zane Publishing, Inc. and Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. All rights reserved.
stan•dard \"stan-derd\ n 1 : a figure adopted as an emblem by a people 2 : the personal flag of a ruler; also : flag 3 : something set up as a rule for measuring or as a model to be followed 4 : an upright support <lamp ~> — standard adj
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We have a standard "dialect" for English in America that everyone living here should be able to use fluently, so that the information being communicated is more precisely and quickly understood. It has nothing to do with artistic experimentation, because they (meaning the people who use this "netspeak") are not consciously trying to change the basic form of the language in order to get any effect. Instead, they are unconsciously condensing the language to a more mindless form. It is in essence taking away the thought that goes into writing or speaking. Standards are there to make things more convenient and efficient. If we were just adding words and phrases into the language, rather than dumbing it down, it would be a different story. I am not in any way opposed to change, but some things should never be forgotten.