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 
I really like what you guys are usually up too. This type of clever work and reporting!
Keep up the great works guys I’ve included you guys to
our blogroll.
LikeLike
This website really has all the information I wanted concerning
this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
LikeLike
It’s awesome designed for me to have a website, which is
valuable in support of my knowledge. thanks admin
LikeLike
Hey there! Quick question that’s totally off topic.
Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My weblog looks weird
when browsing from my iphone 4. I’m trying to find a theme
or plugin that might be able to resolve this problem.
If you have any recommendations, please share.
Many thanks!
LikeLike
I all the time used to read piece of writing in news papers but now
as I am a user of web thus from now I am using net for posts,
thanks to web.
LikeLike
Keep this going please, great job!
LikeLike
My developer is trying to convince me to move to .net
from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.
But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress
on various websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform.
I have heard excellent things about blogengine.net. Is
there a way I can import all my wordpress content into it?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
LikeLike
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you make blogging look easy. The overall
look of your website is great, as well as the content!
LikeLike
Good answers in return of this difficulty with genuine arguments and telling the whole thing regarding that.
LikeLike
Hi there! I just wish to give you a huge thumbs up for your great information you have got here on this post.
I am coming back to your blog for more soon.
LikeLike
This is the right site for everyone who really wants to find out about this topic.
You know a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you
(not that I personally would want to…HaHa).
You certainly put a new spin on a topic that’s been discussed for
years. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!
LikeLike
Admiring the time and effort you put into your blog and in depth information you provide.
It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed information. Great read!
I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google
account.
LikeLike
all the time i used to read smaller content that as well clear their motive, and that is also happening with this post which I am
reading at this place.
LikeLike
Thanks in support of sharing such a nice thinking, post is pleasant, thats why i have read
it entirely
LikeLike
Hi my loved one! I wish to say that this post is awesome,
nice written and include approximately all significant infos.
I would like to look extra posts like this .
LikeLike
I think the admin of this site is actually working hard for
his website, for the reason that here every
information is quality based stuff.
LikeLike
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as
though you relied on the video to make your point. You definitely know
what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your
blog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
LikeLike
Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed!
Very helpful info particularly the last part :
) I care for such info much. I was seeking this certain info for a long time.
Thank you and good luck.
LikeLike
Hi there to every one, because I am actually eager of reading this webpage’s post to be updated on a regular
basis. It carries fastidious stuff.
LikeLike
Hey there would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using?
I’m going to start my own blog soon but I’m having a hard time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs
and I’m looking for something unique. P.S Apologies for being
off-topic but I had to ask!
LikeLike
Right now it sounds like WordPress is the best blogging platform out there right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
LikeLike
Thank you for the good writeup. It actually was a leisure account it.
Look complicated to far introduced agreeable from
you! By the way, how could we be in contact?
LikeLike
Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest
writing a blog article or vice-versa? My blog addresses a lot
of the same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other.
If you might be interested feel free to send me an email.
I look forward to hearing from you! Great blog by the way!
LikeLike
Simply desire to say your article is as astounding.
The clearness in your post is simply spectacular and i can assume you are
an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep
updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.
LikeLike
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
You definitely know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
LikeLike
Everything is very open with a really clear description of the challenges.
It was definitely informative. Your site is useful.
Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
Currently it looks like Drupal is the best blogging platform
available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
LikeLike
Awesome blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from
somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements
would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got
your theme. Appreciate it
LikeLike
We stumbled over here coming from a different website and thought
I might check things out. I like what I see
so now i am following you. Look forward to checking out your web
page yet again.
LikeLike
Excellent blog you have here but I was curious if you knew of any discussion boards that
cover the
same topics talked about in this article? I’d really like 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.
Many thanks!
LikeLike
Hello there, You’ve done a fantastic job.
I’ll certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends.
I am sure they will be benefited from this website.
LikeLike
Hey! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new apple iphone!
Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look
forward to all your posts! Carry on the great work!
LikeLike
I’m gone to inform my little brother, that he should also pay a visit this web site on regular basis to get updated from newest gossip.
LikeLike
Thanks very interesting blog!
LikeLike
Excellent blog you have here but I was curious if you knew of any
discussion boards that cover the
same topics talked about in this article?
I’d really like 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.
Many thanks!
LikeLike
Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks you really recognise what you’re speaking about!
Bookmarked. Kindly also discuss with my site =). We may have a hyperlink
exchange arrangement between us
LikeLike
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it,
you could be a great author.I will always bookmark your blog and
may come back later on. I want to encourage you continue your great posts, have a nice afternoon!
LikeLike
A fascinating discussion is worth comment. I believe that you need to write more on this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but
usually people do not talk about these subjects. To the
next! Many thanks!!
LikeLike
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your blog.
You have some really good articles and I think I would be a good asset.
If you ever want to take some of the load off,
I’d absolutely love to write some material for your blog in exchange
for a link back to mine. Please send me an email
if interested. Regards!
LikeLike
Asking questions are actually nice thing if you are not understanding anything completely, except this piece of writing presents nice understanding even.
LikeLike
Can you tell us more about this? I’d want to find out some additional
information.
LikeLike
It’s actually very complicated in this full of activity life to
listen news on TV, therefore I only use internet
for that purpose, and obtain the hottest news.
LikeLike
It’s genuinely very complex in this active life to listen news on Television, therefore I just use
the web for that reason, and take the most recent news.
LikeLike
Hello everyone, it’s my first visit at this site, and
paragraph is truly fruitful designed for me, keep up posting these types of posts.
LikeLike
Genuinely when someone doesn’t understand after that its up to other viewers that they will assist, so
here it takes place.
LikeLike
Excellent items by you, man. We have consider your stuff prior to and you’re simply extremely wonderful.
I really like what you may have bought here, certainly like what you’re stating and the method by which where you assert it.
You might be making it enjoyable and you will still care for to
stay it smart. I cant wait to read a lot more of your stuff.
That is certainly actually a wonderful site.
my website – LenardBKeeth
LikeLike
Western Literature Association Conference 2018 Breaking The Habit Of Being
Yourself Amazon
Also visit my blog post pdf
LikeLike
Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The
words in your content seem to be running off the screen in Ie.
I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with browser
compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design look great though!
Hope you get the problem fixed soon. Thanks
LikeLike
Hi there, just became aware about your blog
site through Google, and found that it is actually really informative.
I am gonna watch out for brussels. I am going to appreciate when you continue this in the future.
A lot of individuals will be took advantage of your writing.
Cheers!
Also visit my website; MasakoMBelle
LikeLike
Bookbinding Office Depot The Norton Anthology Of English Literature Vol.
2
Feel free to surf to my page :: library [http://cerdaer.shoppy.pl/Produkt/Come-internet-sta-uccidendo-Mauro-Barberiscl7t]
LikeLike