http://ideas.time.com/2013/04/25/is-texting-killing-the-english-language/
When I first came across this article, I assumed it would take the popular stance on this topic, which is that texting is killing the English language. I was surprised to find that the author instead chose to side with texting.
The author, John McWhorter, justifies his reasoning by saying that texting shouldn't be considered written language. It should instead be considered "speaking with your thumbs" because there is a rapid exchange similar to speaking.
McWhorter goes on to say that not only is texting not killing language, but it is expanding it. He refers to an example of the usage of LOL, saying that it is no longer used literally(laugh out loud) and instead is a new type of grammar. LOL is now used to "signal basic empathy between texters, ease tension, and create a sense of equality."
I agree with bits and pieces of what the author is saying, but I mostly disagree. I think he is right about texting expanding our language, but I think the changes are mostly negative. If texting was only adding to our language, I think there would be nothing wrong with that, but it seems to be adding things as replacements to our fundamentals. For example, because of texting, the word "gonna", which is a replacement for "going to", is basically an accepted word in our language that doesn't really conform to our rules of grammar. English is already a very difficult language for foreigners to learn because there are so many contradictions, but I think this kind of stuff makes it even harder.
McWhorter also says that there is no evidence that texting has any effect on composition skills. I would like to know what study he got that information from because I have seen numerous texting addicts with horrendous fundamental writing skills. Now I know this isn't always the case, but it is enough to not be only coincidental.
I definitely agree with the author about the usage of LOL and for the most part, I agree with you disagreeing with the article. Maybe because I'm not a big fan of texting shorten words like "how r u"; I prefer spelling the words out. Good article!
ReplyDeleteHey Scott, this was a pretty interesting point of view, on texting and how it is effecting language. I thought the example in the article with '"LOL" at the library "was comical. It is so out of context! But I can see how texting affects language development. For instance, I have found myself more increasingly using "emoticons" smiley-faces or what not, in text conversations or even hand written letters. The little ^_^ or :P help put the body language- in the words- I want to convey. Great Post!
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy to think that a lot of this is true. What caught my attention was the "LOL" part. It is true, that before I actually used it when something was funny but now I use it to make a sentence sound nice and not mean or sarcastic.
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