Double Entry Journal #3

“...we need to distinguish between "may fly" language (here today, gone tomorrow) and changes that are more substantial. ” (Baron, 2009)

“David Crystal, the author of “Txtng: The Gr8 Db8,” told me in an e-mail message that '“there’s nothing in texting to suggest spelling reform,”' noting that texting relies heavily on abbreviations, which he sees as creative stylings, not systematic improvements.” (Shea, 2010)

I myself rarely use any type of texting shorthand or abbreviations other than "Idk" and "lol," but I think there are some very useful applications for text message shorthand. I feel the abbreviations used in texting can help students take notes. Some teachers prefer teaching with lectures, and students often are faced with the difficulty of keeping up with the notes for those classes. Some of the abbreviations used in texting has been used before, so technically using texting shorthand for notes is not a great advancement but the use of texting lingo for notes is practical. As a future teach I would allow a student to slip texting slang into a paper only if that assignment was of an informal freehand type of work, but would make a note for them to be sure they understand standard language practices. However, if a student used any shorthand in a formal essay paper, I would deduct points. We need to figure out where texting shorthand is acceptable and where texting is not. In the school system texting is currently is not acceptable in any school work, but maybe there is a proper place for this type of slang in our schools.

I feel there should be a distinct line drawn between texting and formal language. “...we need to distinguish between “may fly” language (here today, gone tomorrow) and changes that are more substantial”(Baron, 2009). We need to figure out what we need to hold on to in current standard English and what we can do with text messaging to encourage a possible enhancement in our current language. Text messaging did not start the debate of reforming the English language; however, texting has added fuel to the argument. Furthermore, according to David Crystal the debate on texting does not suggest any type of reform in our language, but I feel there is a possibility for reform because of texting. Texting may not be the answer to reforming English, but maybe texting is the catalyst that will cause a real change.

Before I read this article,“Is English Changing?” I was completely against a change in English because of texting; however, this article really explains how a change in our language can occur and why they occur. Although the article does not address texting changing the English language the article does address how newer generations and technology can change the English language.   

Baron, N. (2009). Are digital media changing language?. Educational Leadership, 66(6), 42-46. Retrieved from https://online.fairmontstate.edu/webct/urw/lc15057011.tp0/cobaltMainFrame.dowebct

Betty , B. (n.d.). Is english changing?. Linguistic Society of America, Retrieved from http://www.lsadc.org/info/ling-faqs-change.cfm

Shea, A. (2010, January 22). The keypad solution. The New York Times, Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/magazine/24FOB-onlanguage-t.html