Linguistic features of e-communication: Text messaging
Many forces have influenced the evolution of the English language, such as cultural shifts, historical events, and technological innovations. As technology has become a more influential and integrated part of our daily lives, types of e-communication, such as instant messaging, emails, chatrooms, and text messaging, have developed into a powerful catalyst for change in the English language (Gorney, 2012, ). This essay will explore the new linguistic forms and discourse rules in the medium of text messaging.
Like other forms of e-communication, text messaging has a hybrid quality, and represents a blend of spoken and written language. In exploring the medium of text messaging as a form of communication, Crystal (2001, p.237) states that he “found clear signs of the emergence of a distinctive variety of language, with characteristics closely related to the properties of its technological context as well as to the intentions, activities, and (to some extent) personalities of the users.” In other words, the development of text language – like other variations of the English language – is shaped by its medium of exchange, its functional role, and the context and audience of the communication.
The data set
Due to the personal and private nature of the medium, it is difficult to access text message data to obtain a sample of normally occurring text message conversations for analysis. Therefore, the sample data set
In the article “2b or not 2b”, David Crystal begins with discussing how others such as John Humphry argued that texters are “vandals who are doing to our language what Genghis Khan did to his neighbors 800 years ago. They are destroying it” (335). This is also the common belief of most people. People often argue about the bad points of technology over our language. However, Crystal believes that texting can improve children’s ability to read and write rather than hinder their literacy as many people claim. He also argues that not all texting are done in abbreviated words. Complex messages and institutional messages are often texted in standard form of
“Our generation doesn't ring the doorbell. They text or call to say they're outside,” this line is from one of the well-known social networks, Tweeter, which shows how the way of communication has change in this modern life. According to 2013 statistics by Business Insider, in United States alone, smartphone owners aged 18 to 24 send 2,022 texts per month on average — 67 texts on a daily basis — and receive another 1,831 texts (Cocotas). Nowadays, technology such as text messaging has practically replaced traditional face to face communication among the society primarily in young generations because texting allows messages to be sent fast and effortless. In order to quickly type what they are trying to say in text messaging, people are
Although her study supports the hypothesis that texting and writing have no relationship to one another, Cullington (and the researchers whose work she analyzed) recognizes the significance of new technology and society’s evolving modes of communication. She writes, “The use of text mes- saging as a common means of communication is becoming increasingly popular; therefore, this issue should continue to be examined” (94). Not surprisingly, the popularity of texting has increased since the time of Cullington’s article and so too has research on its effect on student writ- ing. What Cullington may not have anticipated, however, are the ways in which texting itself has changed. How might innovations such as Internet access, various “apps,” and software advance- ments have changed texting in the mere two years since Michaela Cullington published her article in 2011?
Nowadays, the communications with others are different from the traditional ways and normal rules. People take advantage of new technology to communicate instead of face to face. Although the email and text message make people easy to communicate, the society
We as a society are evolving with each generation to come. We are getting stronger, faster, and smarter. Just as cell phones are no longer square blocks with numbers on them and TV’s are not in black and white, writing itself has also evolved. Once upon a time many wrote and spoke in a Shakespearean form of language and over the years it has evolved into something we call modern English. In recent years, technology has advanced greatly and cell phones have become one of our primary use of communication. With cell phones came a new form of writing called text messaging. Text messaging is used to send short, concise messages to anyone around the world. Often times text messages involve the use of abbreviations which stand for different things and also involves frequent use of emoji’s as a form of expression. This form of writing is now considered informal writing and is not acceptable in academic settings. In Michaela Cullington’s essay “Does Texting Affect Writing?” she touches on both sides of whether texting is hindering students writing or if it’s actually having a positive effect. She then makes is clear that she believes most students are educated enough to know when text speak is appropriate and when it’s not so therefore it has no effect on students. Although, I agree with her thesis, she lacks credibility due to her insufficient evidence. In addition, I also believe
“2b or Not 2b” exemplifies that texting is just another form of communication and the language used in text messaging will not destroy our standard language because of the use of history of abbreviations, promotion of creativity and the studies that show higher test
As time goes on, everything that we do in life modernises alongside us. Many people hold the opinion that ‘old fashioned’ methods of language use were more caring and creative, and that modern technology allows us to simply be ‘lazy’. However by looking at examples of texting, and/or web-based interaction, I will be able to show that modern language use can too be very creative.
Has our “text,” language ruined our actual language? The author of 2b or not 2b is written by David Crystal. Throughout his article Crystal argues about the benefits of texting and how texting is not a new thing. David Crystal uses two rhetorical strategies to prove his argument, one being humor to compare two types of poems that were sent through text message, the other using analogy to compare schooling, and texting, and the last his using analogy to compare abbreviations that are used today, were used in history.
However, according to McWhorter, texting is an “emergent complexity” with new structure. Unlike the writing of prior generations, texting embodies a new form of writing that ignores the structure and standardization of formal writing. McWhorter furthers this claim by using examples of common pragmatic particles in texting such as “LOL” and “slash.” According to McWhorter, the first pragmatic particle “LOL” acts as a “maker of accommodation and empathy.” To clarify, “LOL” acts as an indication of understanding among parties present and a continuation of the conversation. Likewise, the second particle “slash” acts as a means of changing topics in the conversation. With the rise of these conventions, according to McWhorter, an array of “new constructions” or a new vocabulary exists for use despite the lack of
Hundreds of grammatically incorrect text messages are sent every day. In this essay I will research and explore the creative techniques we use every day, when communicating via short messaging services, and how they are eradicating the English Language as we know it. I will also be analysing these techniques to discover when and why we use them.
How old were you when you got your first phone? Did texting come naturally to you? If asking your great grandfather what LOL means he would more than likely reply with asking you what language you were speaking. Over the years we have come to see a drastic evolution between texting and how we communicate verbally to one another. A linguist and prolific author David Crystal expresses the idea of technology advancements in texting, as evidence in his piece, published in 2008 in the Guardian a London Daily, “2b or Not 2b?”. Crystal uses factual evidenced throughout his article to introduce the concept that, “In texting what we are seeing, in a small way, is language in evolution” (par. 31). His knowledge towards this linguistic phenomenon may be valid due to multiple factual evidence provided.
The subject of how technology is changing written English is a touchy subject; many people believe that our current technology is allowing us to become lazy. Text messaging being the ultimate reason we are taking so many short cuts when it comes to writing proper English. There are so many abbreviated words and meanings in text messaging, I sometimes find myself confused when I receive messages from people that I have to google what they are trying to say. I don’t want to respond and assume I know what they are trying say.
Since the technological phenomenon towards the end of the 20th century, text messaging has been widely used by cellphone users, specifically teenagers, in order to get their conversations across easier and quicker in a very convenient way. In the modern technology world, people have become so accustomed to the idea of
Texting is a fairly new form of communication that has taken the world by storm. It became popular around 2001, and originally had its limitations, such as the 160-character limit. But now that technology has advanced, texting has followed along and is now a convenient, casual, and a more immediate way of communicating. So naturally, texting has evolved also in terms of the language used within it. We see this mostly in the form of abbreviations and short hand spelled words. Some people argue that texting has ruined the English language. Studies and observations have shown that the benefits of texting and cyber speak are much more broad then expected. Textisms have been shown to increase phonology skills, brain activity, creativity and provide a relatable outlet for students in education.
With mobile phones where the small screen technology is so constraining, texting and tweeting plays a significant role in how we conduct our daily communication. David Crystal wrote an article titled “Texting”, and believes the younger generation is introducing a new phase of texting where words are usually represented with acronyms (241). Crystal called this abbreviated text exchange a “textspeak” (243). Kris Axtman is also a prominent author who wrote an article, “R U Online? The Evolving Lexicon of Wired Teens” (247). His article focuses on teenagers and their dependency on the online technology. Axtman observes that teenagers develop a whole range of abbreviations while exchanging