StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Relationship between Instant Texting and Language Decline - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The recent years have witnessed an outburst in the popularity of cell phones to the extent that teenagers and adults view them as life necessities. As days pass, people exhibit an increased degree of attachment, to mobile phones, hence an increased dependence on the gadgets for communication…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER91.5% of users find it useful
Relationship between Instant Texting and Language Decline
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Relationship between Instant Texting and Language Decline"

Relationship between Instant Texting and Language Decline The recent years have witnessed an outburst in the popularity of cell phones to the extent that teenagers and adults view them as life necessities. As days pass, people exhibit an increased degree of attachment, to mobile phones, hence an increased dependence on the gadgets for communication. It is common to find people busy with their phones in workplaces, in vehicles, in school, and in homes. This does not exclude streets, in which one can notice individuals walking heads down; perhaps text messaging or reading texts. With the increased use of mobile phones, a sensitive issue has emerged which concerns the over-use of text messages. According to David Crystal’s Texting, people extensively use instant messages, for their conversations, using abbreviations for most words (Crystal 15). An analysis of David Crystal’s works can establish the controversies associated with the relationship between language development and the increased use of text messages, for communication. The emerging issue of concern is whether the increased use of text messages has resulted in the decline of language, or whether it affects literacy. With respect to David Crystal’s works, text messaging makes extensive use of coded language which may be unfamiliar to non-users. Substantial understanding of the code language is of the essence for a mobile phone user to converse with friends using the code language. In the practice of text messaging, users condense multiple and single words via a technique which sees them replace words or syllables with digits or single letters. In the development of the coded language, used in text messaging, cell phone users may also get full of whole words within common phrases. The process of developing SMS language tends to be progressive; this has the implication that some phrases and words have been modified with time. For example, the phrase ‘Thank you’ has gone through three transitions which are ‘thanks’, ‘tnx’, and ‘tx’. The language used in text messaging is unconventional and can fall under a number of categories. G-Clippings, for instance, involves the removal of the letter g at the end of such words as ‘Going’ to read as ‘Goin’. The coded language can also fall under the shortening category in which some letters are omitted; for example, the word ‘after’ can be written as ‘aft’. In other forms, users contract the middle letters of various words while others make use of acronyms (Crystal 18). Others include the use of letter homophones, number homophones, and such non-conventional words as ‘nite’ for ‘night’. To some extent, the use of text messages results to a decline in spoken language. This is because the development of spoken language has a direct relationship with social interaction. In the era of technology, texting diminishes children’s ability to have face-to –face communication with others, a trait which affects them throughout the other developmental stages. Self-expression is a technique best acquired via practice; hence its development faces a significant degree of limitation from the mobile technology. The effect of this aspect is more pronounced in the younger generation than the old generation. The childhood stage of an individual serves as the most appropriate time for learning; therefore, with the extensive use of text messages, children and teenagers may not develop adequate skills of spoken language. Research indicates that, with the introduction of latest technology, only a small proportion of teenagers talk face-to-face with colleagues, as opposed to the percentage of young people that sends texts several times in a day. Ideally, over-reliance on text messages, for communication, promotes social anxiety and shyness among children, a trait which extends even to the adult stage (Crystal 20). The mode of texting, stated by David Crystal, can significantly cause a decline in language with respect spelling. Ideally, individuals have made use of abbreviations that are not conventionally accepted. Individuals seem to have developed alternative spellings in such languages as English, all in the form of looking for short forms of words. It is worth noting that, the continued exposure to wrong spellings can significantly reduce the professionalism of children and teenagers in a certain language. In several places, teachers have reported problems while teaching the English language, for instance, because of effect of text messages on children (Tagg 81). There has been a particular challenge when it comes to written language because of lack of ability to spell words correctly, and the ability to form grammatically correct sentences. Students, who are fond of texting, exhibit a significant weakness in sentence structure; ideally, instant message relies on the use of short phrases and incomplete sentences. Increased texting also causes a decline in language by being a limitation in language classes. Texting becomes a direct barrier, in language classes, because of the immense deal of addiction associated with the practice. For instance, texting leads to diverted attention among students in school, hence reduced focus on principles of a certain language. Extensive texting has the implication that children hardly make use of verbal communication, either via the phone or in face-to-face interaction. Consequently, children and teenagers do not get an opportunity to perfect their pronunciation of contradicting language, in the course of their language development. The eventual outcome is that children carry pronunciation mistakes into their adulthood, a situation which leads to self-blame, harassment by others, and even loss of opportunities (Tagg 81). The consistent use of instant messaging also affects an individual’s ability to read or speak fluently in conventional languages, such as English. It is worth noting that, in the course of text messaging, individuals get used to reading coded language, a trend which lowers their ability to read conventional language in a fluent manner. Such individuals also exhibit problems when addressing public gatherings, instructing, or even conversing verbally via the phone (Tagg 81). However, it is worth noting that, despite the drawbacks of instant messaging on language development, the practice has some benefits to the literacy of an individual. The practice of text messaging, by children, helps them advance their phonological processing abilities, at a tender age (Crystal 111). This has the implication that the practice boosts the children’s lexical ability; children can easily comprehend the meaning of certain sentences and phrases even after the removal of some words. The practice also introduces children to written language at early stages of life, hence enhancing the level of their literacy. The practice of instant messaging is associated with the latest devices resulting from technological advancement. This has the meaning that, as individuals make use of the service, there is increased likelihood of coming across other features of modern technology. For example, as individuals converse via mobile phones, using text messages, they get an experience of other features supported by various cell phones (Crystal 112). One of these features is the internet which has the potential of expanding an individual’s knowledge hence a boost to literacy. Text messaging can significantly affect the language development of individuals, especially in their tender age. This particularly functions through the limitation of an individual’s ability to verbally express him/herself in public. As individuals extensively involve themselves in the practice of communication via text messages, they get limited chances to involve themselves in face-to-face conversations. In the end, individuals lose the confidence and fluency of conversing in a certain language, hence a drawback to the language development. In addition, text messaging can significantly affect an individual’s grammar, in the form of misspellings. Ideally, instant messaging relies on the use of code language; a situation which can impair an individual’s spelling power. It is however, worth noting that studies have found out that text messaging has no negative effects on the literacy level of an individual. Indeed, the practice is essential in enhancing literacy level among young children. Works Cited Crystal, David. Language and the Internet. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006. Crystal, David. Texting: the Gr8 Db8. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. Tagg, Caroline. Discourse of Text Messaging: Analysis of SMS Communication. London: Bloomsbury, 2012. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Relationship between Instant Texting and Language Decline Essay”, n.d.)
Relationship between Instant Texting and Language Decline Essay. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/journalism-communication/1467846-whether-texting-language-as-used-in-instant
(Relationship Between Instant Texting and Language Decline Essay)
Relationship Between Instant Texting and Language Decline Essay. https://studentshare.org/journalism-communication/1467846-whether-texting-language-as-used-in-instant.
“Relationship Between Instant Texting and Language Decline Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/journalism-communication/1467846-whether-texting-language-as-used-in-instant.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Relationship between Instant Texting and Language Decline

Building International Client Relationship

The issues that businesses need to consider when establishing a preferred mode of communication with international clients include: The length of time that a customer has been conducting business with the company language barriers and the interpretation of different cultures Differences in perception as each person thinks differently and develops ideas in their own unique way The nature of the information and complexity needed to be managed in order to prevent conflict Misinterpretation of information may result in loss of sales and potential legal action Confidentiality is required in dealing with clients as their information should be kept private Technological availability is crucial because, if managed effectively, it can improve communication and make maintaining relationships with international clients easier Speed is an important factor in replying to clients' requests so as to respond in a timely manner and make the business-friendly for clients Time differences between countries can cause difficulties in communicating with clients Therefore, the company must check any potential time zone differences and respond at the appropriate times to respond to clients' requests....
19 Pages (4750 words) Assignment

Systems Modelling Theory

In addition, in order to model a system there is need of a system modelling language (this language can be either textual and/or diagrammatic) and a theoretical structure.... Design Methods Design methods are based on a set of three components a concept, a language, and a design process.... On the other hand, the language defines the system model.... In this scenario, a system can be used to denote different entities such as software system or its different parts, hardware system, or it can be a combination of both and the relationships between these parts....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Computers and English Language Teaching

Before dealing with the details of computer aided teaching of English as a foreign language and teacher training, it will be useful to consider briefly the online education environment in general.... Bender (2003) poses a question that is difficult to answer, but which the online teacher (and especially the online teacher instructing language) must consider: Students generally like to have a sense of belonging....
21 Pages (5250 words) Essay

Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Dating

A “deal breaker” characteristic never makes the first cut; straight forward honest profiles help do away with initial contact that is doomed from the first minute between involved parties.... Although being within communicable distances eases the fostering of a relationship, for people who can stand the test of long-distance romance, online dating is a boon.... With its convenience, it is cost-effective too, with initial prepping absent and users do not meet until the relationship has progressed further down the road enough to pique their interests....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

The New Science of Success for Karl Albrecht

It is also a person's competence to comprehend his or her environment optimally and react appropriately for a socially successful conduct.... Leaders need to understand social… The following reasons justify the need to understand social intelligence: a) Helps in design and development of teams in the workplace....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

International Management

As markets become increasingly globalized, it is very important to identify and evaluate operational conflicts between nations, religions, values and cultures.... Extensive use of internet is tremendously changing the way people live; their social life, family systems, education, business, culture and… From the international business perspective, internet plays very significant role in assisting business organization to carry out many of their business functions, but one major issue is that it also affects the culture worldwide. As Deresky (2011, p....
17 Pages (4250 words) Essay

Language-Specific Phonetic Perception in Infants

"language-Specific Phonetic Perception in Infants" literature review examines the most recent findings which have been made in relation to infant speech perception.... language involves not only the perception of the sounds that are in the environment but also some kind of processing that makes sense of these sounds.... Studies on the speech perception skills that infants have usually accept that there is some sort of innate capacity to acquire a language but there is still a matter of some debate over the relative importance of a Chomskian language acquisition device and other, more general learning mechanisms in infant speech perception and factors such as exposure to the native language, different kinds of effect, and the role of caregivers....
16 Pages (4000 words) Literature review

Analyzing Efforts in Second Language Learning

This paper “Analyzing Efforts in Second language Learning” investigates the case of a nine-year-old boy from Vietnam who has joined the family in Australia under the family reunion scheme a year ago staying with the parents and two young sisters in Sydney's Western suburbs.... hellip; Van schools in a local primary school alongside attending Vietnamese L1 maintenance classes and has English language basics learnt at a private school in Vietnam....
8 Pages (2000 words) Case Study
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us