Is texting killing the standard of written grammar?

Question

I appreciate the need to shorthand words when composing text messages, both saving time and message space. But I notice (and particularly on Yahoo answers) that teenagers and older folk who should know better, maintain this practice making their questions and replies virtually unreadable. I fear a demise in the standard of spelling and written communication. (And replying to this question using such shorthand would be awfully corny don't you think?)

Answer 1

I agree. I especially appreciate the statement about people "... who should know better...".

I have great respect for the proper use of the English language. Seeing "street" language in written form is not only annoying, it speaks negatively about the writer. To me, it implies that the writer is neither educated nor well-read.

Answer 2

Language changes - this is a fact. We are not talking how we used to 500 years ago and in 500 years' time they will not be talking like we do now. The same goes for written language. We live in a world where literacy is higher than it has ever been so we have more people than ever effecting (or affecting...I can never remember!) the language we use. In terms of spelling standard, American 'standard' spelling is viewed as immature by the British and probably vice-versa. Technology also speeds up this change and why shouldn't it? People have emotional attachments to letter-writing because it is viewed as traditional but e-mailing is free, uses no paper and is much quicker i.e. natural evolution. Language may be changing too quickly for some people but this is because of the technology we crave and all use on a daily basis.

Answer 3

I don't believe that texting is "killing the standard". I do, however, feel that the shorthand is a way to adapt to the various electronics that are consuming our world. On Anwers, you tend to try to type your answer faster before anyone else has the chance and (if you're answer is good enough) you get the points for best answer. I think that people are just so used to using text messages and typing in chat rooms (that type fast point again) that typing anything other than a report, or a ,business proposition or some other sort of document that matters more in LIFE, ends up being in code. Blame it on the designers of electronics. Pretty soon we'll be so advanced that we'll be back to morse code. lol. Haha. I know that wasn't funny but I couldn't resist!

Answer 4

Killing the STANDARD of written grammer? NO!. When I can go to the bookstore and buy a book that is written using this "computor lingo", then I will believe that the standard of written grammer has been brutally slaughtered. The standard will never change, but what is being seen is an intellectual decline that is becoming ever more prominate in today's society, and this decline is prodding the general populous to move away from the standard. I am very conscious about my grammer and diction as well. When people write poorly they really look stupid. I admit, I use some shortcuts when I text message on my cell phone; I understand that, but not with a key board when everything can be typed out quickly and correctly.

Answer 5

Yes, think it is. I think the practice is spilling over into emails now also, even in the business world. I wonder if kids in school are still being taught how to properly write a letter. I think the same etiquette rules should be followed when composing a business email as writing a letter, but it's amazing how many adults do not do so. One of my biggest peeves is writing in all caps. Would someone send a paper letter that way?

Answer 6

YES, it does!!! take this as a sample, here in the Philippines (the world's texting capital), almost everyone owns a mobile phone (that includes some beggars on the roadside - NO EXAGGERATION)

and because of this, kids in school fail their english subjects because they are used to shorthand writing...

too bad...

Answer 7

i think that blaming poor grammar on texting is incorrect. The decay of perfect grammar use began long formerly the cellular telephone. actually, grammar has been on it somewhat is way out for some years, texting basically made issues worse. Is texting even an "good" word? i'm confident that some anybody is utilising shorthand whilst they should not be, yet I additionally confident that greater human beings show satisfaction in what they write and are confident to be as maximum appropriate as possible. once I write something for a sort, i exploit maximum appropriate grammar and it somewhat isn't any concern. I actually tend to apply maximum appropriate grammar for something outdoors of texting, IM and Yahoo solutions of course. i think that if a individual is taught maximum appropriate grammar and compelled to apply it for the era of faculty, then whilst that individual is older, it rather is rather not as perplexing to apply it whilst mandatory. it somewhat is going to possibly not be suitable grammar like that distinctive interior the MLA coaching manual, inspite of the undeniable fact that it somewhat is going to likely be sturdy adequate to envision least a million/2 way clever. in my opinion, from finding at lots of people who come out of the city faculties in my city, lots of the themes initiate there. In my freshman English type in college, we had to proofread one yet another's papers. It substitute into basically unhappy what a number of the human beings grew to become in. it would rather piss them off once I gave their paper lower back finished of marks. i'm not a grammar expert by potential of any potential, so i substitute into not marking up violations of obscure policies, those have been extremely staple products. I did see an occasional wud or cud, yet that fluctuate into not the suitable difficulty. they only weren't used to having to coach in nicely concept out papers. I remember lower back in center college and severe college, if there have been 3 blunders(any form of mistake) on a paper, then that fluctuate into an automated F. It made you somewhat proofread your papers and shelter the perfect grammar skills which you would be able to have discovered lower back in easy college. it rather is basically how the rustic is now, coaching is on the decline. I don not think of that any you are able to argue with that certainty. Oh, and out of doors of a textual content fabric message, not utilising an apostrophe whilst suitable rather annoys me for some reason. consistent with threat the place I stay has left me slightly cynical...

Answer 8

I pride myself on my ability to write properly. It is a direct result of my childhood.

Society is NOT getting better and it so it slides back. Religions are not getting the job done.
Morale is low.

Clear thinking leadership everywhere is lacking.

Your feeling of despair is natural to a thinking, feeling person.

Make a difference. Become an activist and shine brightly.

Answer 9

Grant, I agree that texted is ruining our children's sense of grammar because the only way they are tecting is shorthand. If they went on to college and wrote in short hand you would be wasting thousands of dollars on their college funds.

Answer 10

I think that the texting shorthand is killing brain cells also.