Preview

Texting: Is it a liguistic evil

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1607 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Texting: Is it a liguistic evil
Vu 1
Thao Vu
Instructor Gianunzio
ENG100
September, 5th, 2014
Texting: Is it A Linguistic Evil?
According to the Nielsen survey, which was conducted in December, 2011, a teen sends teens send an average of 3,417 texts a month. Nowadays, texting has become the most preferred form of communication among people, especially the young generation, because of its convenience. Meanwhile, as texting is becoming more and more popular, it touches off a worrying issue that our society is really concerning about: Does texting harm our traditional writing skills? Throughout social media and network, we find that a majority of people suggest that texting is a great threat to our basic writing as it encourages using nonstandard English with poor spelling, careless grammar, and using too much abbreviation. However, British linguist David Crystal, who is international known as a leading authority on languages, particularly in English language, shows a completely different aspect of texting in “Texting: Why All The Fuss?” a chapter from his popular book Txtng: The Gr8 Db8 (2008). By many strong evidences from his observation, analysis and many other reliable researches, Crystal argues that all the myths about how students get accustomed to texting language and use it in their schoolwork do not exist. Through his point of view, language is not being destroyed but is evolving in texting. Texting actually is not a great threat to our English since students are well aware of the difference between formal and informal language. It even has some good impact on our writing skill. However, in my opinion, texting also affects children’s ability to write properly and creates many problems relating to both physical and mental health, and human relationship.

Vu 2
In the reading, Crystal’s argument about texting is really clear and precise. Social media is excessively exaggerating this issue. We encounter hundreds of articles on newspaper, web site, which exposes how texting uses

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    In the article “Texting, the Next Epidemic” by William B. Bradford, he addresses the issue of texting in our society. He states that texting is starting to tear apart the social fabric of our country. In the article, Bradford states that the United States has fallen behind in educational standards due to the lack of reading and writing involved with texting. He portrays to his readers that texting is making our social events not so social. He says that people go to restaurants and parties for social interaction just end up on their phones not talking to each other. Furthermore, he talks about how texting is creating a generation that is socially awkward and cannot read or write important papers or documents. Proving his point on whether the next generation will be able to govern our country without being able to think, speak, or write clearly.…

    • 494 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    When Texting Is Wrong

    • 317 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The author of this essay is Randy Cohen. This essay is about the harmfulness of texting at inappropriate times. There is argument about different age groups, older people may not care if they are not allowed to text during business hours as where younger people who have grown up texting and is a part of their everyday life, may have different views.…

    • 317 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    - Crystal’s perspective on texting is displayed many times throughout different paragraphs in the article. In paragraph six Crystal states “texting has added a new dimension to language use. Although there are some who see texting as a modern tool that is ruining “proper English”, Crystal sees it as a way for society to enhance thee language skills.…

    • 359 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    With technology rife in today’s society are the boundaries between spoken and written language becoming ever nearer? It seems that young children, teenagers, adults and even the elderly are all turning to mobile devices as an aid of communication. The frequent use of texting has brought about new features, such as clipping, that are unique to the texting world, this is thought to be putting a strain on our abilities to use correct Standard English. In this essay I will explore the variety of language and text specific features used within text messaging. I will also analyse the various attitudes towards texting and finally give my own opinion.…

    • 1352 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    After reading Texting and Writing, by Michaela Cullington, I do not agree with many of her viewpoints. Cullington argues that texting does not affect a students writing. Textspeak, the abbreviation and shortening of words like used when writing a text message, does affect the way a student writes because they use the abbreviations, and their writings tend to lack punctuation. When a writer uses excessive abbreviations on a regular basis they can get stuck in the writer’s head causing them to use them in all of their writings. Cullington did make good points of her own opinion on texting and writing in her piece, but I disagree with her and believe that texting and textspeak can hinder a students writing.…

    • 700 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Cons of Texting

    • 1077 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Technology has came a long way and will continue to improve and explore unknown territories. One of the new things discovered is texting and while texting is helpful it has a lot of disadvantages and downfalls. If texting could be listed as a skill, many of my friends would qualify as highly skilled in that area. I am glued to my phone and always texting so I know firsthand just how much texting can be abused and its less than helpful qualities. Texting kills some good old fashioned phone call conversations, face time, and is making annoying phrases part of everyday talking; texting is an obsession for many people and is doing more damage than most people know by damaging people’s people skills.…

    • 1077 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    2b or Not 2b

    • 328 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In chapter fifteen ''2b or Not 2b?'' of ''They Say / I Say'', David Crystal provides arguments in favour of text messaging. Crystal tries to prove his point that text messaging is not destroying the English language with great research, a lot of examples and a clear organization. As the author himself puts it, ''Texting has added a new dimension to language use, but it's long-term impact is negligible. It's not a disaster. ''. Although some people believe text messaging is pillaging our punctuation, savaging our sentences and raping our vocabulary, Crystal insist that. In sum, then, his view is that the abbreviations were used as a natural, intuitive response to a technological problem, but that they are also more than just time and energy saving act. He considers some texts also as linguistically quite complex.…

    • 328 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In John McWhoter’s article, “Is Texting Killing the English Language?” he examines how texting has incorporated into some people’s vocabulary today in America. Texting has affected not only word choice, but as well as how the words are perceived. For example, McWhoter uses the famous texting acronym “LOL”. “He…

    • 586 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Text messaging, also referred to as SMS messaging, is a popular form of mediated, interpersonal communication that involves sending short messages to and from individual’s cell phones through a or cellular connection to converse with individuals at anyplace and anytime all over the world. Created in 1992 by Neil Papworth, an engineer for Vodaphone, a software company in England, the first text message was sent by Papworth to an executive of the company attending a Christmas party in a separate building; the message of the first ever text message simply read, “Merry Christmas”, it wouldn’t be until the next year that texting would be available to the general public (Peritz, 2012). So at mere 23 years old, Texting is one of the youngest mediums…

    • 1150 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Text messaging is the central structure of communication for teennagers. While teens may think shortcuts are helpful they may not understand the damage they are doing to their writing. While older generations consider it to be degrading to the English Language, over half of teens have come to the conclusion that texting has made their writing inapplicable. Although to some teens, shortcuts and proper English can still be effective. Researchers show that text messaging has been proven to have a negative effect on society, and to the English Language.…

    • 1684 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    I surveyed numerous of students and got a lot of feedback and knowledge on high school and college freshman students. Most of the students said that informal writing have creeped up on them plenty of times. After doing research, I think that we can all agree that text messaging have made us forget some of our learning skills that we have been taught over the years. I have gained a lot of knowledge on how text messaging affects the literacy of teens. Some people would say that it is common sense not to use informal writing in papers, while other people say that if a person constantly uses informal writing it can become a habit. A lot of people that I surveyed said that informal writing have made them seen as if they were uneducated and not intelligent. Before doing any research, I would have said that I did not think that texting has affected teen literacy. After doing my research, I must say that informal writing has had a huge impact on teen…

    • 1483 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Text language has evolved rapidly over recent years with trillions of text messages sent each year. Until recently, text messages were relatively expensive to send and so users have developed various techniques to reduce the number of characters per text to ensure they are paying as little as possible. This report will investigate the effects of these devices with text messages as well as trying establish whether there is a link between the way people text and they way they speak. Finally, I will also explore some of the public attitudes to texting.…

    • 1130 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    I H8 Txt Mex

    • 585 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Today in day’s people doesn’t communicate like we used to before texting were invented. As technology keeps advancing our language do too, most of the people don’t talk no more, people text instead. Back in the days we need it to wait months for letters sent over seas. Some people are happy that we don’t have to do that no more, now just using a Network can be send letters or important messages in 3 seconds. Some people are concerned that our new form of communication is destroying our language. Numerous authors had shared their points of view on the new trend of texting, some accept it, and others criticize it. As a reference John Humphrys, David Crystal and Louis Menand are some of the writers to judge the recent technology. I believe texting is a faster way to communicate, but without abbreviations, not if we’re trying to save the English language…

    • 585 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The advances in technology that focus on communication have completely transformed over the years leading to all new types of ways to connect with someone like through text messages and virtual apps. These advances affect numerous people ranging from students to possibly a boyfriend miles away but what affect do these advances actually have? Michaela Cullington’s “Does Texting Affect Writing?” and Jenna Wortham’s “I Had a Nice Time with You Tonight. On the App.” each address this topic through similar arguments. Cullington bases her argument on the idea that texting does not have an effect on writing. She focuses on research and opinions of others as well as gaining a closer insight through her own research. Cullington’s intends to reach out…

    • 1201 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Perils of Texting

    • 521 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Which of the five moral dimensions on the information system identified in this text is involved in this case?…

    • 521 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics