Comments on: Discussion Question: How do you feel about text/internet speech?

By: Ashley

Ashley — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 04:09:39 +0000

The responses I read here were interesting. I did not expect such violent view on something like shorthand language. I appreciated the views expressed by Ryan and Disappointed about “spitting in the face of conformity.” I tend to like that sentiment in most things. I think that the fact that language changes and evolves is what makes it so interesting. Do I use this kind of abbreviated language? When it’s appropriate. Do I sometimes say “BRB” aloud? Yes, and I don’t die a little inside either. Do I appreciate seeing this in my students’ papers? Umm, not even kind of. Do I think it’s eroding the English language? Nope. I think it has it’s place. I think we create language to meet our needs and we created that language to meet certain needs (as you all mentioned in one way or another). What you all also mentioned was that with the proliferation of “qwerty” keyboards, these are no longer necessary. They’re still (usually) shorter though, and so they do serve a purpose most of the time. Most of all I want to say that language purists need to relax sometimes. Knowing the rules and functions of English is valuable. Breaking those rules and functions is also valuable.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:46:57 +0000

i only write that way when chatting online, but never in any real writing, like on my blog or in an email. not even on Facebook.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:05:03 +0000

I agree with ryan and dissapointed, what the fucks the big deal with writing in text/internet speech. Those who say that its a degrading our language and lowering our intelligence, are you being serious? the english language has always been changing. Do you think not using such words puts you in a ‘higher’ culture then others? its so silly, you people make me LOL.

By: Hydrolyze

Hydrolyze — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:52:26 +0000

Just wanted to say hello all. This is my first post.

I came to learn alot here.

By: Disappointed

Disappointed — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:04:43 +0000

I am disappointed with the majority of these comments. People that are hung up on proper English are annoying! I agree with Ryan that internet/text speak “gives some the opportunity to spit in the face of conformity.”

A B.A. in English and an understanding of proper English does not make me a better person or more apt to communicate my ideas.

fuck proper english.

By: Issa

Issa — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:48:13 +0000

I was a “text” speaker for a while… But that was quite a few years ago. Then I grew tired of having to interpret so many versions of “text” words so I stopped using it. Now I type/key in complete words, except for acronyms. Acronyms I don’t mind.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:56:17 +0000

Who is really hurt by this? You? Me? The legacy of Noah Webster? Does it benefit the official language? I staunchly believe it does not. Does it give some the opportunity to spit in the face of conformity. Hell yes. Will it be the end of proper English, well. I think the British colonizers ruined an official usage of ‘English’ when long ago they foisted the language with force onto the people of other nations. Now you have Ebonics, Cockney, whatever Ex-president Bush uses to speak, Patois/patwah (my father is from Jamaica – so go Patois), and other variations that escape me.

Taking the cause of Devil’s advocate further, in many cases the improper language embodies a more pleasing aesthetic. It becomes a visual art, more so than already, for those who craft well and can develop pleasing creations.

So in the words of some English singer, “Let it be,” – sums up my sentiments.

Ryan

By: Duke Fandango

Duke Fandango — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:04:18 +0000

I think for me the big problem comes from the hyperbole of these expressions. If someone thinks that something I post is humorous then declare that they are rolling on the floor laughing I want them to be actually doing just that. Indeed, I want them so incapacitated by laughter that the only keys they can strike successfully are R, O, F and L before collapsing back to the ground, holding their sides and gasping for breath.

However, I feel that arbitrarily deciding that text speak (or txt spk) is somehow wrong because it is different won’t get very far. Look at Academie Francais, centuries saying ‘non’ and the French still ‘mange le sandwich’ (I’m sorry for the bad gender grammar/spelling/all round horror that is my French). The point is language moves on we can’t stop it so we might as well accept it as a part of life.

By: Jessy

Jessy — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:29:26 +0000

i agree with the previous comments above. It is ridiculous that people are starting to use text/internet speech when it is not necessary anymore. Most people have qwerty keyboards on their phones, palms, pocket pc and all the new gadgets that are going around, so why still use abbreviated language in which other people are getting so used to? They get so confused on which words are the correct ones in a particular sentence since they don’t know the difference anymore. It’s sad to see someone writing a formal letter and all of a sudden half way down a nicely written letter, you will see an internet/text speech. Sometimes, it’s not an excuse anymore that it saves space, others just don’t know how the real word looks like. I won’t say that I’m not guilty of using such speech, but it is weird how I see myself texting whole words which I’m more comfortable with than shortened internet speech. Expressions are fine… but please do not OD LOL.

By: Elise

Elise — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:21:16 +0000

I really hate a lot of the text speak, but I think it would be foolish not to realise it’s the way it’s going to go – when all the kids are doing it, then you know it’s going to take over the world eventually. Some of it has its place: LOL etc, but I find it takes so much longer to decipher what has been written.