Text messaging in “short-cut style” is the fastest way to send casual messages in today’s digital culture. In “Text-speak: Language Evolution or Just Laziness?,” Anne Merritt asserts that text-speak, the shortened way of writing words, has a strong negative impact on children’s communication skills. She looks at it as a decline in proper language skills and explains that it alters the way children communicate. Merritt’s claim has no solid ground however, because children’s speaking and writing abilities cannot be solely measured by a “set of language standards.” Communication skills embrace unique ways of expressions in which the listener or the receiver understands the message. In fact, shortening or cutting the spelling of words is a skill in itself, particularly if it clearly conveys the proper meaning to its recipient or reader. Text-speak need not be taken as a formal way of communication. Instead, it must be viewed in the context of informal articulation. Short-cut text messaging has three affirmative points to reflect on and consider: cognitive development; transcribing and decoding skills; and the convenience of creative and fast messaging in a very personal manner.
According to Merritt, the phonetics or acronymic bites of language, like “L8R,” “m8” and “b4,” are clear manifestations of a decline in proper language skills that change children’s way to communicate. However, if one would look at it in a profound way, it is a creative, concise, conceptual, innovative language learning, and an information processing skill in a child’s cognitive development. In the fields of study of neuroscience and psychology, cognitive development focuses on a child’s development in areas of processing information and concept, perceptual and learning language skills, and other aspects of adult mental development. In this sense, text-speak is a new language learning capability.
Text-speak is a problem of productive language skill, Merritt posits. On the contrary, it is not a problem because it is dynamic and creative in nature. Transcribing a word in a shortest way possible, mostly in the alpha-numeric system, is a result of an imaginative mind. More so, figuring out the proper English word for a certain shortcut text is a sort of a word puzzle or word drill. Correspondingly, it is a practice of critical thinking by way of association and analyzing the word’s sound in letter-number combinations. Therefore, it is a mental skill.
Merritt argues that as communication is becoming global and electronic in form, the decline in spoken and written communications will become greater. In contrast, communication in a global stage and in electronic forms are advancing and very useful. It is a practical and proactive trend of delivering quick messages in today’s hasty and complex way of life. She overlooks that globalization brings everyone closer to one another, where communication becomes more personal in perspective and creative in style.
On children’s bad writing habits in text-speak format, Merritt underscores that children communicate beyond colloquial level who need to be properly educated on the use of technology in formal and professional contexts. Basically, technology is an open pit of ideas and text-speak should not be levelled to a formal and professional setting because it is a non-academic framework and perspective. Moreover, research studies that Merritt cited from Coventry University, England, which is known for public research, and University of Hawaii, United States of America, known for public co-educational research, did not support her viewpoint. Studies revealed that children explicitly distinguish formal from informal speech and their frequent use of text-speak does not necessary show a relationship or correlation with poor essay writing skills. In analyzing the issue, Merritt should have set aside her personal biases and prejudices as an English teacher. Also, she disregards the fact that shortened words and cryptic phrasings are semantic circuits of techno-digital evolution in our modern time.
Merritt stresses that children learn proper English in school but they are not applying it outside the classroom, causing each lesson to be ineffective and unproductive to them. Nevertheless, she fails herself to recognize the boundaries between a formal communication, which is institutional, and an informal communication, which is conversational and personal in approach. When children leave the parapet of their schools, it is still their choice to a freer, spontaneous, easy and convenient means of communicating which is complacent for them. More so, the young generation is not an exception to the influence of social media where new communication patterns are formed.
Putting things together, text-speak is an informal form of communication. It is a practice of the freedom of expression and absolutely an individual choice. The use of text-speak is mutual and personal, and the shortest way to express one’s message. As people acclimatize to the rapids of social transformation, communication also evolves in a changing social environment where there is no room for a delayed adaptation. Indeed, this is a great challenge in all learning and academic institutions.
______________________________
Work Cited / Research Works Acknowledgment:
Merritt, Anne. “Text-speak: language evolution or just laziness?” The Telegraph. 03 April 2013. Web. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationopinion/9966117/Text-speak-language-evolution-or-just-laziness.html
Roberts, K., et al. 2013. Does Text-to-Speech Use Improve Reading Skills of High School Students? University of Hawaii Manoa.
Waldron, S., et al. 2016. Texting Behavior and Language Skills in Children and Adults. Coventry University and University of Tasmania.
The InsighTalk 
A person necessarily assist to make severely articles I would state.
That is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far?
I amazed with the research you made to make this actual post amazing.
Magnificent process!
LikeLike
Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with
my facebook group? There’s a lot of people
that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Thank you
LikeLike
Thank you so much for visiting my blog site. Yes, of course. I appreciate if you can share my blog to your FB friends.
LikeLike
If some one wants expert view about blogging and site-building afterward i suggest him/her to go to see this web site, Keep up the good
job.
LikeLike
I’m really impressed together with your writing skills and also with the format on your blog.
Is that this a paid topic or did you customize it your self?
Either way stay up the nice quality writing, it
is rare to look a nice blog like this one today..
LikeLike
Ahaa, its pleasant dialogue about this article here at this weblog, I
have read all that, so now me also commenting at this place.
LikeLike
I have read so many posts regarding the blogger lovers except this paragraph is actually a pleasant article, keep
it up.
LikeLike
Its not my first time to pay a visit this website, i am browsing this web
page dailly and take nice information from here all the time.
LikeLike
Hello this is kind of of off topic but I was
wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding knowledge so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
LikeLike
Yes! Finally something about website.
LikeLike
Link exchange is nothing else but it is just placing the other person’s website link on your page
at appropriate place and other person will also do same in support of you.
LikeLike
If some one desires to be updated with hottest technologies afterward he must be pay a visit this site and
be up to date every day.
LikeLike
I’m not sure exactly why but this site is loading extremely slow for me.
Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end?
I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
LikeLike
Does your website have a contact page? I’m having
a tough time locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail.
I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it grow over
time.
LikeLike
But is this linguistic evolution, or just laziness? Do children use text-speak because they no longer understand the boundaries of formal and informal English? Or, are children consciously changing those boundaries through a one-size-fits-all communicative tone?
LikeLike
Excellent post. I used to be checking continuously this blog and I am impressed!
Extremely useful information specifically the remaining part 🙂
I handle such information a lot. I used to be looking for this certain information for a very lengthy time.
Thanks and best of luck.
LikeLike
Fine way of explaining, and nice article to get facts regarding my presentation topic, which i am going
to deliver in college.
LikeLike
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but
after browsing through many of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
Regardless, I’m certainly pleased I discovered it and I’ll be
bookmarking it and checking back regularly!
LikeLike
It’s nearly impossible to find knowledgeable people on this topic, however,
you sound like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
LikeLike
I have learn several good stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting.
I surprise how so much attempt you set to create this type
of fantastic informative site.
LikeLike
Admiring the commitment you put into your website and detailed information you provide.
It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed material.
Excellent read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
LikeLike
Wonderful website you have here but I was curious if you knew of any
discussion boards that cover the same topics talked about here?
I’d really like to be a part of community where I can get advice
from other experienced people that share the same interest.
If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
Thanks a lot!
LikeLike
Fantastic goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff
previous to and you are just extremely magnificent.
I actually like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you are saying and the way in which you say it.
You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it sensible.
I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is really a tremendous
website.
LikeLike
I’m very pleased to uncover this web site.
I wanted to thank you for ones time for this wonderful read!!
I definitely liked every bit of it and I have you saved to fav to look at new things on your
site.
LikeLike
When someone writes an piece of writing he/she maintains the idea of a user in his/her brain that how a user
can know it. Thus that’s why this post is outstdanding.
Thanks!
LikeLike
Howdy! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew
where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment
form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having
trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!
LikeLike
I love looking through an article that can make men and women think.
Also, thank you for allowing for me to comment!
LikeLike
May I just say what a relief to find somebody that actually knows what they are discussing online. You certainly understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people need to check this out and understand this side of your story. It’s surprising you aren’t more popular because you surely have the gift.
LikeLike
I’m curious to find out what blog system you’re utilizing?
I’m having some minor security problems with my latest site and I’d like
to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any solutions?
LikeLike
This design is steller! You obviously know how to
keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I
was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!)
Excellent job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you
presented it. Too cool!
LikeLike
Very nice article. I certainly appreciate this site.
Stick with it!
LikeLike
I really like reading through an article that can make men and women think.
Also, many thanks for allowing me to comment!
LikeLike
Great blog you have here but I was curious about if
you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics talked about in this article?
I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get responses from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Kudos!
LikeLike
This article is truly a nice one it helps new internet users, who are wishing in favor of blogging.
LikeLike
That is a great tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Short but very precise information… Thanks for sharing this one.
A must read article!
LikeLike
Spot on with this write-up, I actually feel this site needs a lot more attention. I’ll probably be returning
to read more, thanks for the info!
LikeLike
It’s an remarkable piece of writing for all the
web visitors; they will get advantage from it I am sure.
LikeLike
Wonderful article! This is the kind of information that should be shared across the web.
Shame on the seek engines for now not positioning this post
higher! Come on over and seek advice from my web site . Thanks =)
LikeLike
It’s awesome in favor of me to have a web site, which is helpful in support of
my know-how. thanks admin
LikeLike
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the greatest blogs online.
I most certainly will recommend this web site!
LikeLike
Appreciate the recommendation. Let me try it out.
LikeLike
I’ll right away take hold of your rss feed as I can’t to find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or newsletter service.
Do you’ve any? Please allow me recognise in order that I could subscribe.
Thanks.
LikeLike
Hey there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website
with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be
tweeting this to my followers! Great blog and great style and design.
LikeLike
Wow! This blog looks just like my old one!
It’s on a totally different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and
design. Excellent choice of colors!
LikeLike
Chris – como mencioné en mi comentario e historia en tu página de Rodan y Fields, no podría estar más de acuerdo contigo en todo el asunto de MLM. En algún momento pensarías que estas cosas simplemente se extinguirían, pero supongo que todo lo que hacen es empezar otra. Con productos, inventarios, entregas, ventas, etc., hay mucho trabajo para la gente aquí. La gran ventaja que este parece tener es la conexión del nombre con Swarovski – tenemos algo de ese cristal en nuestra casa (como estoy seguro que muchos lo hacen). Pero, es MLM (**laptops slamming shut**).Gracias de nuevo por dar una gran reseña y evitar que pierda mi tiempo con este.
LikeLike
I’m curious to find out what blog system you happen to be working with?
I’m having some minor security issues with my latest blog and I would
like to find something more risk-free. Do you have any suggestions?
LikeLike
Howdy would you mind letting me know which hosting
company you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different
internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most.
Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a honest price?
Kudos, I appreciate it!
LikeLike
Wonderful blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally overwhelmed ..
Any ideas? Thank you!
LikeLike
Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog site in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it
has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Other then that, excellent blog!
LikeLike
Everything is very open with a very clear explanation of the issues.
It was definitely informative. Your site is extremely helpful.
Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
Just desire to say your article is as surprising. The clarity in your
post is simply cool and i could assume you’re an expert on this
subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated
with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the gratifying work.
LikeLike