Twitter had quite a time this year. With the year ending and when they opened their books – in Al Pacino’s words from Donnie Brasco, guess who came on top. Twitter. Twitter is the top word in English language for 2009. According to the Global Language Monitor, which examines language usage across the world, “Twitter” beat out “Obama,” “H1N1,” “stimulus,” and “vampire” to take the crown. Interestingly, “2.0″ came in at sixth place.

“In a year dominated by world-shaking political events, a pandemic, the aftereffects of a financial tsunami, and the death of a revered pop icon, the word ‘Twitter’ stands above all the other words,” Paul JJ Payack, president of Global Language Monitor, said Sunday in a statement. “Twitter represents a new form of social interaction, where all communication is reduced to 140 characters. Being limited to strict formats did wonders for the sonnet and haiku. One wonders where this highly impractical word-limit will lead as the future unfolds.”

To compile its data, the Global Language Monitor uses its proprietary algorithm, called the Predictive Quantities Indicator. According to the company, the algorithm “tracks words and phrases in the media and on the Internet.” It also monitors blogs and social media. Word frequency, contextual usage, and “appearance in global media outlets” contribute to a word’s popularity.

Now, I have my doubts. Twitter does qualify as a word but is it English. Well, we want it to be English because it eases our mind and makes us feel safe – in my opinion. Well, I am not going to go to my criticism mode. Congrats Twitter.