You’ve probably heard people say that texting is ruining our ability to write well. But that’s not really true. To see why texting might actually be a good thing, let’s first understand what language is all about.
Language has been around for about 150,000 years, and it started with speaking. Writing came much later. If we imagine all of human history as a single day, writing would only show up at 11:07 PM. This shows how new writing is compared to speaking.
Speaking is natural for us, while writing is something we do more carefully. When we write, we can think about our words and change them if we want. For example, if you read something from a history book, it’s usually written in a way that’s more organized than how we talk to each other. Linguists, who study language, have found that when we talk casually, we use shorter sentences, usually between seven to ten words. This is much less formal than writing.
Over time, speaking and writing have started to mix. In the past, people would give speeches that sounded like they were reading from a book, using fancy words and long sentences. For example, during the Gettysburg Address, the speaker before Abraham Lincoln gave a very long speech that was more like writing than talking.
It used to be hard to write like we talk because of the tools we had. But now, with technology like texting, we can write in a way that feels more like speaking. Texting is informal and often ignores traditional grammar and punctuation rules, just like casual speech does.
Some people worry that texting is making our language skills worse, but it’s actually a new way of communicating. For example, “LOL” used to mean “laughing out loud,” but now it can also show empathy or understanding in a conversation. The word “slash” is used in texting to change topics, like saying “by the way” in a conversation.
While texting might seem unstructured, it’s actually a new form of language that young people are creating alongside their regular writing skills. This ability to switch between different ways of communicating is like being bilingual, and it can be good for your brain.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how language keeps changing, especially with texting. This evolution of language is an exciting development that we should pay attention to. Thanks for reading!
Compare and contrast texting with traditional writing. Create two short pieces: one as a text message and the other as a formal letter. Reflect on how the tone, structure, and language differ between the two. Share your observations with the class.
Create a timeline that highlights key moments in the evolution of language, from the origins of spoken language to the rise of texting. Use visuals and brief descriptions to illustrate how language has changed over time. Present your timeline to the class.
Engage in a role-play activity where you communicate with a partner using only text messages. Use common texting abbreviations and slang. Afterward, discuss how this form of communication differs from face-to-face conversations and what challenges or advantages it presents.
Research and compile a list of common texting phrases and their meanings. Create a mini-dictionary that explains these terms to someone unfamiliar with texting. Share your dictionary with classmates and discuss how these terms reflect changes in language use.
Participate in a class debate on whether texting is beneficial or harmful to language skills. Prepare arguments for both sides, considering points from the article. Engage in the debate and listen to different perspectives, then write a reflection on what you learned.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
[Music] [Music]
We often hear that texting is detrimental to literacy, suggesting that it leads to a decline in writing skills among young people. However, this notion isn’t accurate. To understand why texting can be viewed positively, we need to take a step back and examine what language truly is.
Language has existed for approximately 150,000 years, with speech being its original form. Writing, which emerged much later, is a constructed form of communication. If we consider humanity’s timeline as 24 hours, writing would have appeared around 11:07 PM, highlighting its relatively recent development.
Speech is our natural mode of communication, while writing is a more deliberate process that allows for reflection and revision. For instance, consider a passage from a historical text; it’s structured in a way that casual speech typically isn’t. Linguists have shown that when we speak informally, we tend to use shorter phrases, often around seven to ten words. This casual speech is much less formal and structured than writing.
Over time, there has been some overlap between speech and writing. In earlier eras, speeches were often delivered in a manner similar to writing, using formal language and longer sentences. For example, during the Gettysburg Address, the preceding speaker delivered a lengthy oration that was more akin to written language than casual conversation.
Historically, it was challenging to write in a conversational style due to the limitations of writing tools. However, with the advent of technology, particularly texting, we can now communicate in a way that resembles spoken language. Texting is informal and often disregards traditional rules of grammar and punctuation, much like casual speech.
Despite concerns that texting represents a decline in language skills, it actually reflects a new form of communication. For instance, the abbreviation “LOL” has evolved from meaning “laughing out loud” to serve as a marker of empathy or acknowledgment in conversation. Similarly, the use of “slash” in texting has developed as a way to transition topics in a conversation.
While some may perceive texting as lacking structure, it is, in fact, a new form of language that young people are creating alongside their traditional writing skills. This duality can be beneficial, as being bilingual or bidialectal has cognitive advantages.
In conclusion, if we were to look into the future, I would be curious to see how language continues to evolve, particularly in the realm of texting among young people. This linguistic development is a fascinating phenomenon that deserves our attention. Thank you very much.
Language – A system of communication used by a particular community or country – English is a language spoken by millions of people around the world.
Texting – The act of sending written messages using a mobile phone – Texting has become a popular way for teenagers to communicate with their friends.
Writing – The activity or skill of marking coherent words on paper and composing text – Writing essays helps students improve their ability to express ideas clearly.
Speaking – The action of conveying information or expressing one’s thoughts and feelings in spoken language – Public speaking is a valuable skill that can boost confidence.
Linguists – People who study language and its structure – Linguists often analyze how different languages evolve over time.
Grammar – The set of rules that govern the structure of sentences in a language – Understanding grammar is essential for writing correctly in any language.
Communication – The exchange of information between people through speaking, writing, or other mediums – Effective communication is key to success in both personal and professional relationships.
Informal – Having a relaxed, friendly, or unofficial style, manner, or nature – Informal language is often used in casual conversations with friends.
Evolution – The gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form – The evolution of language can be seen in how new words are added to the dictionary each year.
Skills – The ability to do something well, usually gained through training or experience – Developing strong reading and writing skills is important for academic success.
