I believe that computer language and texting abbreviations are degrading not only the English language, but also our society. Abbreviations are only used because people are lazy and want to complete tasks faster. If the English language moves toward that direction, is the movement saying that everyone is becoming lazy? I do not oppose using texting abbreviations and computer language, but I believe that there is a certain time and place to use it. For example, I use computer language when I talk to friends online because it is more convenient and faster to type, but I know not to use the same kind of language in essays that I hand in. Therefore, I do not think that it is suitable to use computer language and texting abbreviations for classroom assignments and resumes. If I was an employer and I saw a resume with these abbreviations, the first thought that would rush to my mind, is that the person does not care. I will think that the person is in a rush and could care less about getting the job. If the person could not take the time to write a formal resume, what does this reflect about the employee's working attitude and habits?
Computer language and texting abbreviations are not only inappropriate in the working environment, but it is also inappropriate in school. If students handed in assignments filled with abbreviations and computer language, I would find it extremely disrespectful because I believe school is a serious matter. In addition, if teachers started to write everything in computer language and texting abbreviations, then formal language and proper spellings of words would be lost forever because everyone will move away from spelling words the proper way and writing formally. The English language would then be moving back in time instead of moving forward and improving. Words and language that was once developed would be broken down and lost.
Hey Natalie,
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with you; there is a time and place for everything: “There is a time for everything…a time to tear down and a time to build…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3). Computer language and texting abbreviations should only – and always, be used for occasions outside the classroom, the office and any areas where respected formality is needed. Like you described, textism is used when one is in a hurry, during informal times. If textism crawls its way into formal arenas, it would only reflect society’s lack of patience and effort towards life. The example you presented of how a resume reflects the employee’s attitude and habits is acutely true – one’s actions define who they are.
Lastly, you mentioned how if society accepted textism and it became a norm for everyone to use it everywhere, the beauty of the English language – the grammar, the structure and the meaning will slowly deteriorate. In other words, all the aspects of English that humanity learned throughout the centuries would slowly succumb to a new form of writing that is without passion or style.
Let us believe in the strength of English and hope that mankind will recognize its worth!
Hey Natalie,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on how texting language is inappropriate in certain situations, but I don’t think textism should be seen as wholly as the cause of laziness and be discriminated against just because it defies the rules of standard English. Textism is a smart way of changing English to create convenience for people, and as long as it still communicates its meaning effectively, it succeeds in its purpose as a form of English. Even though it is not as appropriate in work places and school, as you mentioned, it has purposeful meanings in many other circumstances. The creation of textism had made typing on a numerical pad on cell phones much easier, and it could also be used in school as a note taking method to aid either memorization or understanding because it is very brief and highly visualized comparing to standard English. I believe that textism should be allowed to co-exist with formal English, and people should have a choice in using it in different situations according to their own judgment.
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