Language decline?

Peter J. Leithart, February 22, 2007

Electronic communication is supposed to be destroying our ability to use normal language, as we resort to various forms of shorthand - BTW, FWIW, LOL, ROFLOL, etc, etc.

Well maybe.

But if it's a sign of linguistic decline, it's not the first time. FF Bruce points out that certain greetings were so common in Roman correspondence that letter-writers use abbreviations. Like SVBEEV for "si vales, bene est; ego valeo" (If you are well, it is good; I am well).