Preview

Texting Effects on Written Communication Skills

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1911 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Texting Effects on Written Communication Skills
Jake Morris

Texting Effects on

Written Communication Skills

Abstract

Text messaging, especially in young people, is setting up the dynamics that will present challenges as they continue to grow and mature. Those challenges will present themselves as an inability or difficulties in forming proper sentences and perhaps even result in being unable to differentiate the basic writing nuances in words that sound alike, but have different meanings. This effort on the following pages will present solid arguments as to why this is an alarming - and growing - problem. Linguists have long since provided irrefutable arguments and proof that text messaging as a primary written language has G2G (got to go in texting). Those arguments and evidence will be presented throughout this project.

Texting Effects on Written Communication Skills

Introduction and Background

Wireless users sent thirty million text messages in the United States during the month of June 2001. This, according to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, was nothing compared to the number of text messages sent just one year later. That thirty million had ballooned into one billion. Not only that, but the U.S. population is currently 314,924,973 (Census Bureau) yet there are 321.7 million wireless subscriber connections (CTIA 2012). That number is indicative of the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and the USVI, but the numbers tell an important tale: we have officially and permanently gone wireless in our modern society. With that complete transformation comes the modern language nuances associated with text messaging. Unfortunately, this is not just a phase, but rather, a new and disturbing trend that can easily transition into adulthood, resulting in these young people struggling to fill out job applications or prepare a proper resume, not to mention the other problems they are sure to face with an inability to formulate in



Cited: Baldwin, A. (2011). "Positive Effects of Cellphone Technology in the Workplace". Houston Chronicle. Online. Retrieved 07 December 2012 from: . Butcher, D. (2009). "Obama’s Ghana speech highlights delivered live via SMS". Mobile Marketer. 15 July 2009. Retrieved 09 December 2012 from: . Census Bureau (2012). "U.S. Population". Retrieved 09 December 2012 from: . CTIA (2012). "U.S. Wireless Quick Facts". Retrieved 09 December 2012 from: . Crystal, D. (2008). "Txtng: The Gr8 Db8". Print. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Dansieh, S. (2011). "Communication Skills". International Journal of English Linguistics. Vol. 1, No. 2. Retrieved 09 December 2012 from: . Hauck, D. (2003). "Linguists mixed on effects of text messaging". USA Today. Web. Retrieved 08 December 2012 from: . Singleton-Rickman, L. (2009). "Does texting hurt writing skills?" Times Daily. Web. Retrieved 09 December 2012 from: .

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    The first data collection method in this research was the [query of seven hundred and eighty young adults, the query consisted of how often they used linguistics, contextual textisms, instant messaging, monthly cell minutes, and monthly text messaging.…

    • 505 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Part 4: How does context change the way we text? Do we text different people in different ways? Talk about features of text language – does the use of a feature depend on the audience and purpose of the message? Do you feel that you adapt your way of texting for specific purposes?…

    • 371 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    As stated in the article, “2b or Not 2b” by David Crystal, some people believe that texting is not a natural form of communication and that it is wrecking our language. Although some people may agree with this idea, studies have challenged this opinion. Rather than fearing the consequences of texting, people should embrace this evolution and understand that this new form of communication may actually have benefits on literacy. This author once stated, “there is no evidence that texting teaches people to spell badly: rather, research shows that those kids who text frequently are more likely to be the most literate and the best spellers, because you have to know how to manipulate language.” The moral panic created by this form of socialization should be diminished, as people have the power and ability to shape our future.…

    • 1365 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the article “Texting, the Next Epidemic” by William B. Bradford, he addresses the issue of texting in our society. He states that texting is starting to tear apart the social fabric of our country. In the article, Bradford states that the United States has fallen behind in educational standards due to the lack of reading and writing involved with texting. He portrays to his readers that texting is making our social events not so social. He says that people go to restaurants and parties for social interaction just end up on their phones not talking to each other. Furthermore, he talks about how texting is creating a generation that is socially awkward and cannot read or write important papers or documents. Proving his point on whether the next generation will be able to govern our country without being able to think, speak, or write clearly.…

    • 494 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In this manner, Robin Mejia, author of “How Texting Changes the Way Kids Communicate” explains how the pros out outweigh the cons in the way kids communicate using technology. Mejia goes on to explain that it is safer in today’s society because kids spend most of their time online talking to their friends in real life opposed to a potential predator. She also writes about how the technology today lets the parents themselves communicate easier with their kids while they carry their busy work schedule. Lastly, she believes that the kids are able to sustain friendships better and that a lot of the communicating is positive between the kids and their peers. Technology is positive for the younger generation, because it helps stay in touch with friends,…

    • 570 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Pros And Cons Of Texting

    • 616 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The advancement of technology has revolutionized the way humans exist. From the innovation of medical technology to the further development of phones and computers, it has proven to be life altering in many aspects. While it is true that the advantages of modern-day technology cannot, nor should be dismissed, some of the disadvantages must as equally importantly be acknowledged. Although many argue the contrary, there are many reasons to believe that phones, and texting in particular, can and have resulted in a disconnect within families, friendships, and an overall disconnect with the world.…

    • 616 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The article I h8 txt msgs: How texting is wrecking our language, by John Humphrys, addresses text messaging as a threat to people's ability to engage formally in use of the English language; especially in the younger generation. John Humphrys takes a unique perspective when analyzing the practice of text messaging. Humphrys focuses on the present and mainstream uses of text messaging, without analyzing the historical processes and the language values of the so called text speak. This paper will argue against John Humphrys' claim. Text messaging is a valid form of language as it; has been created through historical and social processes; holds a set of unique and evolving characteristics; and therefore in no way harmful to the users' abilities to use the English language.…

    • 1410 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Over the last two decades, with the explosive use of mobile phones, texting has developed into a multi-modal ‘language’ or ‘hybrid language’ in its own right, containing elements of spoken language. Such forms of communication act as a written down version of a spoken conversation: whilst written they maintain the overall spontaneity and creativity of spoken language due to the variety of features, and quite distinctive features, that only occur in multi-modal talk. Historically, writing has had a higher status in society than spoken language, but multi-modal language blurs the lines between speech and writing, containing commonly recognised features of both. This often causes criticism from purists who see it as damaging the English language, especially the written language, with the influences of ‘text talk’ affecting the way young people are able to use standard written English. On the other hand, descriptivists argue that it is simply part of the development of English which has been ongoing for centuries, and that ‘text talk’ should be recognised as another variety of English. In this essay, I will be analysing how features of multi-modal talk are very similar to that of spoken language on many occasions, and how they are found in a variety of different contexts as well as how ‘texters’ adapt to different circumstances to make what they say appropriate for who they are with and what they are trying to say. This adaptation of the English language causes controversy due to its nature as a non-standard form of written English, and I will be analysing the reasons behind this as well as the arguments that are used by descriptivists to counter claims that multi-modal talk is bad for the English…

    • 2881 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Text messaging, also referred to as SMS messaging, is a popular form of mediated, interpersonal communication that involves sending short messages to and from individual’s cell phones through a or cellular connection to converse with individuals at anyplace and anytime all over the world. Created in 1992 by Neil Papworth, an engineer for Vodaphone, a software company in England, the first text message was sent by Papworth to an executive of the company attending a Christmas party in a separate building; the message of the first ever text message simply read, “Merry Christmas”, it wouldn’t be until the next year that texting would be available to the general public (Peritz, 2012). So at mere 23 years old, Texting is one of the youngest mediums…

    • 1150 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Text messaging is the central structure of communication for teennagers. While teens may think shortcuts are helpful they may not understand the damage they are doing to their writing. While older generations consider it to be degrading to the English Language, over half of teens have come to the conclusion that texting has made their writing inapplicable. Although to some teens, shortcuts and proper English can still be effective. Researchers show that text messaging has been proven to have a negative effect on society, and to the English Language.…

    • 1684 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Cellular devices and other technology has grown to be extremely popular. With this popularity technology has pervaded our lives and changed social interaction. Text messaging also known as texting is when people with cell phones send short typed messages. The rate of Americans sending text messages drastically increased year by year. Teenagers are large contributors to the presence of text messaging in society. The majority of the people into the texting frenzy are usually between 13 and 17 years old. In this paper we will discuss both the pros and cons of texting.…

    • 528 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In John McWhoter’s article, “Is Texting Killing the English Language?” he examines how texting has incorporated into some people’s vocabulary today in America. Texting has affected not only word choice, but as well as how the words are perceived. For example, McWhoter uses the famous texting acronym “LOL”. “He…

    • 586 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Despite the technological advances over the past twenty years in the field of communication, verbal communication continues to be the most effective way to converse. Verbal communication allows you to express yourself more effectively. Although, in recent years verbal communication has been replaced with texting, there remains no substitute for the personal approach of speaking with someone directly.…

    • 1080 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    What are the some of the effects that texting is having on the teen literacy? Text messaging has increased in popularity ever since the very first text message that was sent in the year of 1933 by a student who was working for the Nokia Corporation (Druoin and Davis 49). Centre of Science Education at Sheffield University discovered that more than ninety percent of the youth have cell phones and ninety-six percent of them use them to text. (Plester, Wood, Bell 137). The establishment of cell phones and texting has made a huge encounter on the way people communicate. Most people use their cell phones to text more than they do to make phone calls. Teenagers have observed that an average teenager sends a hundred textsin a day and 3,033 in s month. (Cingel and Sundar 310). Teens have the highest numbers of sent texts and the number is rapidly going up. Studies have shown that this form of communication is destroying the way people read,…

    • 1483 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    It’s eleven o’clock on a Thursday night and right before you go to bed, a tone too familiar pops up. Your friend asks through a text to read his essay, finding poor grammar and spelling abbreviations such as “bc” and “prob” , you begin to think to yourself, “ How can texting really find its way into my friends paper?” According to Michaela Cullington, in the article “Does Texting Affect Writing” Cullington had done some research of texting and how it will affect a writer’s behavior and grammar. There are definitely a large amount of people who believe that texting in fact, does affect a writer’s grammar. In response to those who believe that there is a negative effect are those who side with the idea that texting has a no…

    • 1016 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays