Modern teenagers are practically mute. Videogames to blame

[pkmusicmaker]

It's true that technology is sort of dumbing people down. Instead of being social, people are just sticking headphones on or playing games. I personally only do things like that in situations where there's really no other options (like the DMV, a solo train/bus ride, or even killing time between classes). But people are getting carried away and kids are being raised by parents who are just happy their kids are being quiet and not annoying them. Hopefully this can be fixed, but I don't see how.

[R4mbo]

Where should I start picking this article apart? Oh! Here's a good spot:

New research conducted by Professor Tony McEnery of Lancaster University, reveals that today's teenagers have a measley vocabulary of just over 12,600 words compared with the 21,400 words available to the average 25 to 34 year-old.

Essentially this part of the article is comparing teenagers, by virtue of prefix, somewhere in the 13 to 19 range, to adults in the 25 to 34 range. Due to this comparison, this article already loses all credibility. These are two drastically different age groups. I, personally, know that during my teenage years I had less command of the English language than I do now. I guess attending college and becoming older can do that to a fellow.

What's to blame? 'Technology isolation syndrome,' asserts Professor McEnery. Kids these days spend too long locked into their own worlds, cut off by personal MP3 players and games consoles. Consequently, I suspect, they are now only able to communicate in the form of track listings and videogame mission briefings.

Remember those forgotten relics called "books"? I'm sure they ran a similar article about "book isolation syndrome". My oh my, we should look into this. My father is an avid reader. My mother is an avid reader. However, I am not an avid reader. Is this to say that since I don't spend time with my nose in a book that I may have increased verbal eloquence as compared to my parents? Granted, books have much influence on someone's command of the English language, but same point, different example.

Ah, if only this were the case. You never hear Solid Snake struggling to communicate an unamusing anecdote involving Trevor Dilton and that slag Jane Green behind the Shell garage on Princes Street. Although to be fair, I did skip a lot of the cut-scenes in MGS2, I could have missed something.

I'm having a rather difficult time typing this response due the continued image of Snake with a drawn gun in a crouched position, standing between them and looking back and forth at them with a puzzled look on his face.

You're right! Also they forgot about Onlinegames, Teamspeak, etc. It's just someone again, which want's attention, and is talking such bull$#@! to get some.

[benn]

what a load of crap. i was a mute teenager and the only thing i could enjoy was my commodore 64.... oh right.

[dwarrior]

I'm Begian, my native language is Dutch.
In school we learn English, French and German.
I'm horrible at French and German and have about a 50/50 chance of failing those classes each year. But somehow, I find English very easy and pass it with ease (A, A+).
What's the difference? I play videogames, watch movies and listen to music. All in english of course (nobody bothers to translate anything into Dutch, only 20mil people speak it).

That's proof that playing videogames actually helps me learn English. And if it helps me, why not Americans?

[Psyberjock]

Every person I know who considers themselves a "gamer" has a horrible vocabulary and can barely spell. I've gone to conventions, traveled the web far and wide, and especially if these forums are any indication, yes, it's quite true. (yes, I know that sentence's construction was fairly poor)

Some of you say that videogames have improved your vocabulary, but moreso than other activities would? Even watching TV increases vocabulary more than videogames do.

I'm sorry that you only know morons. I guess misery really does love company. But in the case of your experience and gamers, I would have to disagree. I'm a university graduate with a degree in English living abroad in Japan and teaching English to high school students. I would argue that my vocabulary is larger than most simply because that's my job.

That being said, I'm also an avid gamer and I love this site and homebrew. I like games enough that I try to read this site everyday for 5-10 minutes. Granted I don't go to conventions and I think that's one of your problems. You hang out in all the places that you'd find the people described by this article.

Stop traveling the web and try to start traveling the world. You'll meet much more interesting and intelligent people.

[Shinebi]

OK, so why did SEGA give us a lazy, dubbed port of Yakuza? Because the majority of English-speaking gamers cant' be bothered with reading subtitles.

You know who you are....


(Just an example as how the developpers actually keep this in mind, instead of giving us cultural enlightenment.)

[Uruz 6]

Every person I know who considers themselves a "gamer" has a horrible vocabulary and can barely spell. I've gone to conventions, traveled the web far and wide, and especially if these forums are any indication, yes, it's quite true. (yes, I know that sentence's construction was fairly poor)

Some of you say that videogames have improved your vocabulary, but moreso than other activities would? Even watching TV increases vocabulary more than videogames do.

I consider myself a gamer (been playing since I was 8 - good old nintendo - and now I'm 21) and I've actually learned english through videogames (I'm italian);

Aside from the points ikarimaru made - nice job -, don't you think it's far too easy to attack videogames - what about parents who allow their kids to play 5 hours per time? - because that's what causes isolation, not the games per se - and what of those who never showed a good book to their kids?

I think people blaming videogames for violence and isolation are really trying to avoid taking the responsabilities they should as the ones who created these problems for the kids.

[ikarimaru]

I'm Begian, my native language is Dutch.
In school we learn English, French and German.
I'm horrible at French and German and have about a 50/50 chance of failing those classes each year. But somehow, I find English very easy and pass it with ease (A, A+).
What's the difference? I play videogames, watch movies and listen to music. All in english of course (nobody bothers to translate anything into Dutch, only 15mil people speak it).

That's proof that playing videogames actually helps me learn English. And if it helps me, why not Americans?

That's awesome! I personally know I couldn't learn a language in this manner. Well, maybe if I watch enough Fellini films I could learn Italian... hmmmm... Congratulations!

[Shinebi]

Same here, Antwerp native. But don't forget Ninty, they spoil the lil' uns with their translations.

[quzar]

I'm sorry that you only know morons. I guess misery really does love company. But in the case of your experience and gamers, I would have to disagree. I'm a university graduate with a degree in English living abroad in Japan and teaching English to high school students. I would argue that my vocabulary is larger than most simply because that's my job.

That being said, I'm also an avid gamer and I love this site and homebrew. I like games enough that I try to read this site everyday for 5-10 minutes. Granted I don't go to conventions and I think that's one of your problems. You hang out in all the places that you'd find the people described by this article.

Stop traveling the web and try to start traveling the world. You'll meet much more interesting and intelligent people.

So, by your statement I would take it that you think that all stupid gamers are only so online? That is, because you seem to imply I'll meet more intelligent gamers if I were to start travelling the world. Also, I have travelled the world quite a bit, got maybe 10 countries under my belt over 3 continents, modest but I'm still quite young. I've also seen most all of the states in the continental US. I know plenty of extremely intelligent, articulate, worldly people who play videogames, but i don't think any of them would call themselves a 'gamer'.