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 
you’re really a just right webmaster. The web site loading pace is amazing.
It sort of feels that you’re doing any unique trick.
Also, The contents are masterwork. you have done a fantastic process on this topic!
LikeLike
I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This piece of writing posted at this site is in fact pleasant.
LikeLike
I am truly thankful to the owner of this site who has shared this enormous article at
at this time.
LikeLike
My brother recommended I would possibly like
this website. He was entirely right. This submit actually made
my day. You cann’t imagine just how so much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!
LikeLike
Hi, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility
issues. When I look at your blog in Opera, 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
This is my first time visit at here and i am genuinely pleassant to read everthing at
one place.
LikeLike
Your style is so unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from.
Many thanks for posting when you have the
opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this page.
LikeLike
Excellent site you have here.. It’s difficult to find good quality writing like yours these days.
I truly appreciate people like you! Take care!!
LikeLike
What’s up friends, nice post and pleasant urging commented at this place, I am
truly enjoying by these.
LikeLike
Hello, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog site in Safari, 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, terrific blog!
LikeLike
It’s really a great and helpful piece of info. I am happy that you just shared this useful info with us.
Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Spot on with this write-up, I honestly feel this site needs
far more attention. I’ll probably be back again to see more, thanks for the
information!
LikeLike
I have been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles
or weblog posts on this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo
I finally stumbled upon this site. Studying this information So
i am satisfied to express that I’ve a very just right uncanny feeling I came upon just what I needed.
I such a lot no doubt will make certain to don?t fail to remember
this web site and give it a look regularly.
LikeLike
Excellent post. I absolutely love this site. Keep writing!
LikeLike
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! By the way,
how could we communicate?
LikeLike
It’s nearly impossible to find well-informed people in this particular subject, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
LikeLike
I do not even know how I ended up here, however I believed
this put up was once great. I don’t realize
who you might be but certainly you’re going to a well-known blogger for those who aren’t
already. Cheers!
LikeLike
Hi all, here every person is sharing these kinds of knowledge, thus it’s fastidious to read this blog,
and I used to pay a quick visit this website all the time.
LikeLike
If some one needs expert view about running a blog then i recommend him/her to
pay a visit this weblog, Keep up the good work.
LikeLike
Hello there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous
room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this page to him.
Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
Terrific work! This is the type of info that are meant to be shared across the web.
Shame on the search engines for now not positioning
this publish upper! Come on over and seek advice from
my web site . Thank you =)
LikeLike
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon every day.
It will always be interesting to read articles from other authors and
use something from their websites.
LikeLike
Great blog here! Also your web site loads
up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to
your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
LikeLike
you’re in point of fact a excellent webmaster. The web site loading velocity is amazing.
It sort of feels that you’re doing any unique trick.
Furthermore, The contents are masterwork. you’ve performed a excellent job on this subject!
LikeLike
you’re truly a just right webmaster. The site loading pace is incredible.
It seems that you are doing any distinctive trick.
Furthermore, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a fantastic task
on this topic!
LikeLike
It’s truly very difficult in this active life
to listen news on TV, therefore I only use the web for that purpose, and obtain the most up-to-date information.
LikeLike
Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your blog
on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you provide here and can’t
wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, superb site!
LikeLike
It’s impressive that you are getting thoughts from this article
as well as from our discussion made here.
LikeLike
Greetings! Quick question that’s entirely off topic.
Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My website looks weird when viewing from my
iphone. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to resolve this
problem. If you have any suggestions, please share. Cheers!
LikeLike
It’s remarkable to pay a quick visit this web page and
reading the views of all mates on the topic of this post, while I am also eager of getting experience.
LikeLike
I’m really loving the theme/design of your site.
Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues?
A number of my blog visitors have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome.
Do you have any recommendations to help fix this problem?
LikeLike
This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post.
Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!
LikeLike
This website certainly has all of the info I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know
who to ask.
LikeLike
excellent points altogether, you simply won a brand new reader.
What could you recommend about your publish that you simply made some
days in the past? Any positive?
LikeLike
Hi there to every single one, it’s genuinely a pleasant for
me to go to see this website, it includes precious Information.
LikeLike
Great work! This is the type of info that are supposed to be shared around the net.
Shame on Google for not positioning this publish upper!
Come on over and talk over with my web site .
Thanks =)
LikeLike
I do not even know how I stopped up right here, but I thought this
publish was good. I do not recognize who you are however definitely
you are going to a well-known blogger in the event you are not already.
Cheers!
LikeLike
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful post.
Many thanks for providing this information.
LikeLike
Unquestionably believe that which you stated.
Your favorite reason appeared to be at the internet the easiest thing to
remember of. I say to you, I definitely get irked at the
same time as other people consider concerns that
they plainly don’t recognize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top as well as
outlined out the entire thing with no need side effect
, folks could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more.
Thank you
LikeLike
I do not even know the way I finished up right here, but I believed this submit
used to be great. I don’t understand who you might be but certainly you are going to a well-known blogger
in the event you aren’t already. Cheers!
LikeLike
What’s up Dear, are you in fact visiting this web page regularly, if so then you will without doubt obtain fastidious know-how.
LikeLike
Spot on with this write-up, I actually think this site
needs much more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the info!
LikeLike
Touche. Great arguments. Keep up the good work.
LikeLike
hello there and thank you for your info – I have certainly picked
up something new from right here. I did
however expertise some technical points using this web site,
since I experienced to reload the site lots of times previous to I could get it to load correctly.
I had been wondering if your web host is OK?
Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and
could damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.
Anyway I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of
your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this again very soon.
LikeLike
For the reason that the admin of this web site is working, no hesitation very soon it will be
famous, due to its quality contents.
LikeLike
It’s amazing designed for me to have a website, which is valuable for
my knowledge. thanks admin
LikeLike
Hey just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the
pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but
I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.
LikeLike
Howdy! This post could not be written any better! Looking through this post
reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this.
I am going to forward this post to him. Pretty sure he
will have a very good read. Thank you for sharing!
LikeLike
At this time I am ready to do my breakfast, when having my breakfast coming yet again to read other news.
LikeLike
This is the right web site for anybody who hopes to find out about this topic.
You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa).
You certainly put a fresh spin on a subject that has been written about for ages.
Great stuff, just excellent!
LikeLike