Texting may have afforded society many conveniences, but the predictions related to the use of abbreviated English words in texting are nothing to LOL about. What’s not so gr8 about the shortcuts and omissions is that they might just be seeping into the very foundation of language development in children and adults. Many sectors have expressed concern about the ill effects of the texting behavior of children and teenagers on the development of their writing skills and in the understanding of grammar and the rules of the English language, both spoken and written. But even the experts are saying that there is no substantiating proof that children who play with the language to the extent that we are aware would end up with sub-par English. Still, hundreds of university applications are said to be reeking in grammatical errors.
No need to worry
Those who do not support the bothersome assumptions argue that and all the grammatical foibles that have become the norm in texting are harmless. Thay believe that the fad is merely a means for children to be sociable and gives them a way to fit it. There are studies with results that will definitely reassure parents who support this point of view. In the United States, a comparison of sample text messages with the IQ as well as written and spoken English of secondary and primary schoolchildren showed no clear evidence that the popular way of texting affects their use of correct grammar. Though there are strong claims that a decline is ongoing, there is no solid evidence that this generation will in the future rule the world without knowledge of punctuation and having awful grammar.
In a series of tests sponsored by Coventry University in the United Kingdom, primary and secondary school children were also the subjects. Their findings showed that there was no clear association and therefore no conclusive evidence that using abbreviated words in texting led to poor grammar and poor performane in spelling. One significant observation made was by the proponents, though. They learned that children who make less errors in punctuation when they use their phones to text, are better at spelling and writing.
Texting: a considerable threat to the English language
Penn State University in the United States has study results that say otherwise. Based on their research, “tweens” in middle school who use abbreviated words regularly did not do so well on grammar tests. This study showed a clear association between heavily abbreviated texting and poor language skills upon testing. Those who do not see anything potentially damaging in the use of “u” for “you” ought to consider these conclusions.
The concern does not just come from purists and protectors of English who flinch at the slightest affront to the language. Real concern was voiced out by journalists in the use of abbreviated techspeak in e-mail messages. Even job applications are written in the abbreviated languge that is used for texting, as reported by some employers. The issue has now been elevated to the possible and impending “death” of the English language – of grammar in particular. The reasoning that there’s no time to spell everything out is considered by many just plain laziness, and in certain respects very unprofessional.
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