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With advancements in communication technology — like smartphones and E-mail — comes the evolution of language. Many would argue that acronyms like LOL and BRB, or a lack of full sentences would mark the end of proper English however, Linguistics Professor Sali Tagliamonte from the University of Toronto would disagree.

Tagliamonte and a team of students have analyzed the usage of certain words across various forms of media including text messages, E-mails, instant messages (IMs) and essays. These were used to study language comprehension, and "underlying patterns" in language used and the frequency at which certain terms were used.

They compiled data taken from students' messages. In total there was approximately 18,000 words gathered, dealing with everything including private topics such as break-ups and drug deals. The students' anonymity was kept safe, as is often customary with research data.

"[It was] not just exciting, because it was fun, but [also] because they began noticing things about their language which they didn't before," said Tagliamonte. "I'm not teaching them, we are teaching each other. I feel privileged."

The team collected the data totalling approximately 18,000 words and found that "LOL" was used 829 times, "haha" 490 times and "lm(f)ao" a modest 100 times. The study was a longitudinal analysis of whether there was a correlation — between what an English teacher would likely call "improper" English A.K.A netspeak — and the ability to correctly type in more formal documents like essays.

What their findings showed was that, despite a high frequency of netspeak in text messages and IMs, their ability to correctly communicate in more formal documents such as essays and E-mails was unhindered. They also worked to filter out the potential effects of auto-correct.

"We tried to distinguish between the students that did have autocorrect," said Tagliamonte. Due to the effects of auto-correct "the study I presented is [today] pretty much obsolete, because the technology has changed so much".

The importance of these findings may have farther reaching effects than some may realize. The average person sends approximately 3,000 text messages per month, and is on the rise.

Not all are so easily sold on this idea however. Kira Bradner, an English student from Brock University was one of those sceptics.

"Those beginning proper instruction within the english grammatical system are heavily influenced by older people, especially those who ‘sound cool' by utilizing slang in everyday conversation," Bradner said.

Tagliamonte encouraged everyone to test their own usage of terminology in messaging mediums.

"Take your cell phones out, have a look at the last 10 text messages you've sent to your favourite person," said Tagliamonte. "Tell me what kind of subject you used, what verbs you used."

Despite common complaints of the lack of grammar, punctuation and proper spelling on the Internet, there may very well be more benefit to the technology than hindrance.

"I would say, if you want to encourage literacy, encourage people to use the Internet," said Tagliamonte. "In order to use the Internet you have to be able to read."

In a 2003 study which Tagliamonte worked on she found a large discrepancy between the use of language used on the show Friends and more modern day words used. She noticed a distinct difference in language, and concluded an evolution of English had occurred on a short time-scale.

"Language is only ever a reflection of what is going on in society. It's like having the pulse of human culture," she said.

To comment on the returning question if language is in fact changing for the worse, Tagliamonte wasn't worried.

"Literacy is increasing in leaps and bounds," she said.

To find out more about Tagliamonte's research or her new book — entitled Variationist Sociolinguistics: Change, Observation, Interpretation — visit her Web site at bit.ly/bsCcan