Since its invention in 1992, texting has become a universal staple. It has allowed us to go day by day to communicate with each other in a quick more efficient way. We use texting to be more direct, or even to let someone know you are running late. Since texting has become a popular form of communication. Today younger generations have created a new form of speaking called “text-speak”. This new way of speaking has become a dialect of its own using slang terms, and abbreviated words. With text speaking being a swiftly way of communication. Younger generations are using this dialect as an informal way of communication in formal setting like our primary, and secondary education systems. Although communicating via text message is an efficient way of contacting someone; texting has a negative effect on younger generation through the way they think, speak, and write.
In our primary and secondary education systems today, teachers have a concern with the number of students that are texting during class sessions. With technology rising, and text messaging being so mainstream younger generations today are less literate than those who went to school in the 60s and 70s. In the article Is English Ruining the English Language writer Wil states “In 2013, the average school child struggles more with spelling, grammar and essay writing essential skills which before now were considered key to a good grasp of the English language.” Text messaging is creating a different spoken dialect, because the new slang and text lingo are being brought into the daily use of speech amongst the younger generations. It is more common in spoken language that we use slang. With slang being used daily, it advertises misspelling, and lack of standard English. The writer explains how “In much the same way that modern smartphone users are becoming bilingual, they’re also learning to swap between other, new types of communication.” In linguistics we call this code switching. Code switching is when an individual speaks more than one language is altering between them while having one conversation. Since this new form of language was brought up by the younger generations, therefore it is most common amongst them, and easier for them to switch back and forth.
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Every new operations of communication like Facebook, twitter, and Instagram have it’s own set of rules, and for the individuals who use these sites on a daily have created their own sophisticated language use for the each of them. In the U.S there are many different types of dialects spoken. In states like Texas where their own dialect is being brought up, the individuals of this state can switch back and forth to a a form of English called folks. Today it is easy for people to swap between accents, and dialects, because of population growth, increased rates of moving, youth growth, the internet, and cell phones. Even in our modern forms of technology such as iphones can differentiate between each language, and dialect. In the article Digital Trends, writer states “Right now, English is the top language in the world by many measures, and is likely to stay that way, even as thousands of languages fail to make the transition to the digital world and die off in the next century. Only about 5 percent of active languages may make it, and only a handful will prosper in the same league as English.” This does not mean that Standard English is in the clear. With so many different countries speaking English as a second language. The English language itself with transform into a totally new dialect, and/or language with added words and use of slang from other countries. It is possible for English to become a foreign sounding language for the English native tongue. For example here in the U.S the percentage of the hispanic population is increasing which means Spanish is the second most growing and spoken language of the U.S. With these two languages being emerged into the same country with different groups of people a new form of language we call “spanglish” has been formed. This new form of speech is a mixture of both languages and used on a daily basis spoken by the younger generation.
When code switching is inbred into our daily conversations, we often forget the correct form and proper use of grammar in formal writings. Although texting language is a quick short way to get what you want to say across, it is important to keep formal and informal writing separate from one another. In the article Texting May Lead to Bad Grammar writer Gannon Megan explains about a grammar assessment test study that was done to middle school students in Pennsylvania. Each student was given a survey and asked to detail how many messages they send, and receive. The survey showed that students lacked grammar skills from frequently texting. When younger children are communicating via text speak on a daily basis, the grammatical rules and slang is being carved in their brains. As generations get older the way people communicate with one another changes. Growing up with in an era where technology is so advanced, students do not know that they are using text speak, because that is the form of communication that they always use. When we are updating our status on social media. We do not think about spelling words correctly so that instinctively translates to poor writing skills inside the classroom and in formal settings. This affects the development of their language skills. Writer Gannon states, “teens might not be initiating all their bad language habits, but might also be influenced by the grammatically incorrect messages sent from their friends and family.”
Although there are many negatives. There are equal amount of positives when it comes to texting. Texting has been an easy way to build friendships, and connections with people along with fast communication. Since texts are being read on a daily, it enhances one’s reading skills and ability to think. In today’s society individuals lives have changed because texting has become so efficient. Before texting people would talk on the phone if you wanted to contact someone or meet up in person. Article Texting Affect on Society explains how researchers in Israeli found that when an individual communicates digitally when they are distressed, it can decrease their state of mind. Texting allows one to talk with people about different topics that they would not normally talk about in person. When an individual is texting it allows them to be more direct and upfront with someone.
Parents are giving their children cell phones as early as early as elementary school for “emergency reasons”, but it is not doing the individual any good. When parents notice that their child’s grades are lowering that is when they need to take more control over the cell phone and set boundaries for the child. Having a cell phone is a privl
Slang words bring a trending evolution to the English language. Although slang is more common in speech, it is also common in writing as well. Though slang is not that pervasive in high school settings. Article How Slang Affects Students in the Classroom writer Ryan Lytle explains how college admissions have been receiving admission essays with slang words incorporated. College students see and know the difference in the words that they are using for essay writing. College is about adapting to a certain extent. A well informed and educated student that just graduated high school should be able to adapt. The future remains unclear with slang as younger generations are getting older. Children as young as elementary school are growing up with this new use of language so when they are older informal is the new formal for them.
A study was done to a group of student, and the each of them were asked to come up with 10 different scenarios. Each textism were split up into different categories. The researchers found that the ratio with word and textisms was associated with word reading. Although, speaking slang, and text speak affects the younger generations writing skills, it is developing their reading skills. In article How Texting Can Improve your Kids’ Reading Skills writer Albrecht explains that researchers from Stanford University found in a study they did that the impact of a text message that the child is receiving from their parents show progress in their reading. Helping your child in a productive way through texting Even if the text is in slang, the child sees it as a structured sentence allowing them to the practice their reading skills. In the same article the writer states, “ students whose parents got frequent personalized text messages tailored to their child’s skill level were far more likely to read at a higher level compared to the kids whose parents received less frequent impersonal text messages.” Age maturity has a lot to do with the way your speaking. When you get to a certain age your text grammar skills start to change and become more grammatically correct.
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