Letter To The Editor: Sarah E. Needleman 

It truly saddens me to have express my concerns on this topic as I find it completely absurd that this is even an issue. As a concerned linguist that has been studying the english language for several years, I was quite flabbergasted at some of the points that were brought up in the article, “Thx for the IView! I Wud <3 to Work 4 U!! ;)”, by Sarah E. Needleman. 

In the article it is stressed that speaking in this “casual tone” english is looked down upon, and is a significant turn off when it comes to hiring managers. It was mentioned that even though the candidate that was interviewed for this role was, “qualified”, “enthusiastic”, and “the intern she craved”, the hiring manager had a complete change of heart as she received an email with the candidate using “exclamation points and smiley-face emoticon”. 

To belittle all the skills and potential that this candidate might have, and judge off of the language she chooses to use when sending a thank-you email, is completely absurd. In the article it is said that using that idiolect hints at immaturity and questionable judgment, which (in further analyzation) is the polar opposite. For example, during the interview the hiring manager evidently was impressed by the candidate, which meant that the candidate was able to code switch from her natural dialect, to a more academic/“proper” english. This shows that not only is the candidate equipped with both the dialects, but is also able to use them in the right contexts. 

The english language has been around for many years, and each time a new dialect of english arises it is always discriminated against and frowned upon, yet that english that was once frowned upon is the english that is now considered “academic”. To be quite frank, the language of the youth now, is just a result of new and upcoming technology. As long as more and more technology is founded the more and more our language will evolve. To perceive that as “disrespectful” is illogical, as it was a mere thank you email, and not a letter to the congress. The hiring managers look at this language as unprofessional, and fear it following to the work space. This idea will only have its place in certain careers. Some careers depend on being able to have formal speech in your communication, some careers are purely skill based and formal speech is not a requirement.

With that being said, if a candidate goes through the process of an interview and is able to hold a formal conversation with you, and is able to meet the criteria that you are looking for in an employer; then I am almost certain that changing your mind over a couple abbreviations in a thank you email would be characteristics of a very “immature and questionable judgement” person.