Digital dialect
The rapid pace of digitalisation of the last decades has resulted in a whole new vocabulary, not just in English but in all languages across the globe. There is always confusion about the correct way to spell the new terms and what they mean. Although it is not easy at this stage to set precise rules, as the vocabulary is continually evolving, it may be useful to give a few pointers on generally accepted conventions.
| internet, extranet, the web, knowledge society, internet of things | lower case |
| backup, broadband, cyberspace, cybersecurity, database, email, hyperlink, laptop, offsite, online, ransomware, software, website | one word, unhyphenated, lower case |
| cyber-attack, e-business, e-commerce, e-learning, e-skills | hyphenated, lower case |
| home page, web page, spam filter | two words |
| CD, DVD, MP3 | |
| Bluetooth | Capitalised (Bluetooth is a trademarked name) |