Technology Isolation Syndrome
12.15.06 - 04:13pm
The trend in the lack of training and overuse of technologies such as computer games, MP3 players and iPods is known as “Technology Isolation Syndrome.”
The sydrome recently being studied by Professor Tony McEnery with Lancaster University in the UK, focuses on teenagers
who have become so enveloped in technology and the shorthand way of writing and communicating that they are no longer communicating with each other, in real live conversations.
Professer McErny found that the top 20 words being used by teenagers include yeah, no, but, and like. Not only were they in the top 20 but they accounted for one third of all the words being used. His report states “Of note when examining the word ‘no’ is the frequency with which the word is accompanied by the word ‘but’. These words occur in the sequence ‘but no’ or ‘no but’ almost twice as frequently in teenage speech as it does in young adult or middle aged speech.”
His anaylsis says that teenagers today have a vocabulary of 12,600 words. The average person age 25 to 34 has a vocabulary of 21,400 words.
The lack of vocabulary and communication skills is already being noticed in the workplace. Employers are finding that it is hard to find employees who can hold a formal conversation anymore. Simply answering a telephone properly in the workplace is fast becoming a lost skill. Young employees also seem to be intimidated in meetings and are afraid to speak up.
Professor McEnery says “Employers are already complaining that first jobbers are lacking basic verbal communication and it seems things could be set to get worse. Kids need to get talking and develop their vocabulary.”
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