Modern Day Communication
How many text messages does one send a day? Does the individual use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation in his or her text messages? The answers of the two previous questions vary depending on the individual's habits; however, some answers may be more harshly criticized than others when being looked at by a literary expert. In professor David Crystal’s article “2b or Not 2b?”, Crystal makes several points regarding text messages and how he believes they impact our society. He goes in depth by claiming that text messages are not harmful to our society and how they can potentially display more knowledge than originally thought of. Even though most literary critics would disagree with Crystal’s outlook on text messages, I agree that texting has not added abbreviations to the English language, does not pose a major threat to our society, and requires prior knowledge in order to be legible.
The English language entails words that individuals have always abbreviated or shortened in their writing and speaking. Crystal states, “Words such as exam, vet, fridge, cox, and bus are so familiar that they effectively become new words” (339). Crystal’s theory of words being abbreviated before texting became popular is extremely useful because it sheds light on the difficult problem of individuals believing that abbreviating words arose from texting. I believe that abbreviating words in the English language is acceptable because most, if not all, individuals know what the abbreviated words mean. Even though literary experts continue to complain that texting has ruined the English language, I urge that what experts believe has “ruined our language” has been prevalent centuries before texting was even thought of. In addition, I believe that abbreviating words adds to one’s vocabulary, which, in turn, will expand the individual’s thought process and problem solving skills. All in all, texting has added a new aspect to our constantly changing society.
Even though texting has added new dimension to our society, the effects of it will not lead to any major changes. According to Crystal, “Texting has added a new dimension to language use, but its long-term impact is negligible. It is not a disaster” (337). Crystal is surely right about the effects of texting not becoming a disaster because, as he may not be aware, recent studies have shown that only 20 percent of text messages sent in the United states have abbreviations in them. I believe that the use of text messages will only have minor effects on our society because most individuals who text tend to only abbreviate words that can be turned into one letter. Adding to the previous point, individuals who text still understand that their texts need to be legible to the reader. Most individuals who text usually learn to make their verbal, written, and now text messages legible to a reader at an early age.
In order to send or receive a text message that is understandable, an individual must have an idea of what the English language entails. Crystal states, “Children could not be good at texting if they had not already developed considerable literacy awareness” (345). Nevertheless, some literary experts will suggest otherwise and argue that all messages sent should use proper English spelling, grammar, and punctuation. On the contrary, I believe that if a text message is legible, it is worthy of being sent without undergoing criticism from literary experts. In addition to the previous point, I claim that a text sent using abbreviations requires more creativeness than a text sent using correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. All in all, I state that if a text message uses incorrect spelling and grammar on purpose, it should not undergo harsh criticism from naysayers that would disagree.
Although many experts would disagree with known professor David Crystal’s outlook on texting, I agree that text messaging has not imbedded new and harmful abbreviations, will not cause a national disaster, and involves prior language acquisition knowledge. I agree with the points in “2b or Not 2b?” because I have experienced many of the claims made first hand. Many literary critics complain that in order for texting to have a positive effect on our society, the individuals who text must use proper punctuation, grammar, and spelling throughout their text messages. In my opinion, whether an individual sends five or 500 texts a day, texting is a benefit to our society as long as the messages sent are legible.
Works Cited
Crystal, David. "2b or Not 2b?" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 335-345. Print
The English language entails words that individuals have always abbreviated or shortened in their writing and speaking. Crystal states, “Words such as exam, vet, fridge, cox, and bus are so familiar that they effectively become new words” (339). Crystal’s theory of words being abbreviated before texting became popular is extremely useful because it sheds light on the difficult problem of individuals believing that abbreviating words arose from texting. I believe that abbreviating words in the English language is acceptable because most, if not all, individuals know what the abbreviated words mean. Even though literary experts continue to complain that texting has ruined the English language, I urge that what experts believe has “ruined our language” has been prevalent centuries before texting was even thought of. In addition, I believe that abbreviating words adds to one’s vocabulary, which, in turn, will expand the individual’s thought process and problem solving skills. All in all, texting has added a new aspect to our constantly changing society.
Even though texting has added new dimension to our society, the effects of it will not lead to any major changes. According to Crystal, “Texting has added a new dimension to language use, but its long-term impact is negligible. It is not a disaster” (337). Crystal is surely right about the effects of texting not becoming a disaster because, as he may not be aware, recent studies have shown that only 20 percent of text messages sent in the United states have abbreviations in them. I believe that the use of text messages will only have minor effects on our society because most individuals who text tend to only abbreviate words that can be turned into one letter. Adding to the previous point, individuals who text still understand that their texts need to be legible to the reader. Most individuals who text usually learn to make their verbal, written, and now text messages legible to a reader at an early age.
In order to send or receive a text message that is understandable, an individual must have an idea of what the English language entails. Crystal states, “Children could not be good at texting if they had not already developed considerable literacy awareness” (345). Nevertheless, some literary experts will suggest otherwise and argue that all messages sent should use proper English spelling, grammar, and punctuation. On the contrary, I believe that if a text message is legible, it is worthy of being sent without undergoing criticism from literary experts. In addition to the previous point, I claim that a text sent using abbreviations requires more creativeness than a text sent using correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. All in all, I state that if a text message uses incorrect spelling and grammar on purpose, it should not undergo harsh criticism from naysayers that would disagree.
Although many experts would disagree with known professor David Crystal’s outlook on texting, I agree that text messaging has not imbedded new and harmful abbreviations, will not cause a national disaster, and involves prior language acquisition knowledge. I agree with the points in “2b or Not 2b?” because I have experienced many of the claims made first hand. Many literary critics complain that in order for texting to have a positive effect on our society, the individuals who text must use proper punctuation, grammar, and spelling throughout their text messages. In my opinion, whether an individual sends five or 500 texts a day, texting is a benefit to our society as long as the messages sent are legible.
Works Cited
Crystal, David. "2b or Not 2b?" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 335-345. Print