advantages and disadvantages of texting (unedited)

THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF TEXTING

A Research Paper
Presented to the Faculty of
Marciana P. Catolos Memorial National High School
Tanay, Rizal

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in English IV

RONNE ALAINE V. ARISCAYO
KIMBERLY ANNE DV. FABABAER

March 2014

ACKNOWLEDGMENT The researchers would like to take this opportunity to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to the following persons who helped them on the fulfillment of this piece of work. Mrs. Noralyn I. Carigo. Principal I, for her concern to the development of MPCMNHS; Ms. Dasyl D. Gonzales. their adviser, for her tireless moral support and guidance while doing this study; Mrs. Mary Grace C. Talavera. their teacher, for the criticisms and valuable comments for the improvement of this work; The 4th year Students of MPCMNHS, for their full cooperation; The researchers' classmates and friends. The researchers' sisters for the inspiration that they give as their support. The researchers' parents for their suggestions and advices towards the development of this study; for the inspiration in achieving the goals and for the financial support in conducting this study. And lastly, to the Almighty God, for His guidance and for serving as the author's inspiration.
-The Researchers
DEDICATION

This study about the advantages and disadvantages of texting is dedicated to the important persons who helped us to accomplish this -- our parents, friends and fellow students for the support that they gave while we are conducting this study.
Most of all, to Almighty God for the guidance and support
He
had given. Alaine Villegas Ariscayo
Kim-Anne Dela Vega Fababaer

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND This chapter presents the introduction, statement of the problem, significance of the study, scope and limitation and definition of terms.
Introduction
All schools are concerned with the writing skills of their students not only in grammar but especially in spelling. Grammar is the study of the way the sentences of a language are constructed. Spelling is the writing of word or words with the necessary letters that diacritics present in an accepted standard order. Most spellings attempt to approximate a transcribing of the sounds of the language into alphabetic letters, however, completely phonetic spellings are often the exception, due to the drifts of pronunciations over time and irregular spellings adopted through common usage. According to the novelist B.S. Medina Jr. the history of Philippine writing is a history of subversion. It is a history of writers fighting the control and influence of the colonizers -- the Spaniards and the Americans. This fighting may be figurative as in the case of Francisco Balagtas and Jose Rizal, or literal as the case of Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto. In general, it also a history of class struggle of writing the stories of poor who are oppressed by rich and powerful. Language is the foundation of literature. There is a lot of struggle in language politics in our country where American English is the language in education and government. English is not an alien tongue. Filipino children may not understand the nuances of the English language, but it is there and theirs to manipulate. English is familiar and, better yet, user friendly. Anybody can use it and once you get hang to it, there's really nothing to it. The fact that the Philippine education system has been using English as a medium of instruction from elementary to university level for decades has also reinforced the notion that English is easy- even a child can do it- and available. It is a tool for learning and a medium in communication. More than this, English is the language of power and progress. In the Philippines, it is highly valued not because it is functional and practical and washes over us constantly, but more importantly, because it is an affordable item, a skill that can be used to increase one's position, respectability and marketability. In most cases, the better one's ability to understand and use English, the better one's chances of career advancement. This is true for both extremes of the socio-economic ladder. English is as important to the Harvard-educated Filipino working in Manila's cosmopolitan business district as it is to the overseas contract worker working as a domestic helper in Saudi. Texting is the new way millions of teens hear, read, write, and communicate. You would think that with this constant messaging back and forth that teens would be excelling in school with high reading comprehension, writing scores, and focus on their future. But little do parents know their teens are more focused on what text message they are receiving from friends. Then what their scores are on assessments, why proper English is becoming a lost language to them, getting more involved on seeing cell phone rules in their kids schools, and why kids would rather find short cuts to get through in school instead of thinking about their life in the long run. By parents becoming more proactive in teens life we can redirect them down the right successful plan and not let them get caught in to the "New Era Of Technology". Texting has become so popular that many have taken to calling today’s teens “generation text” With the proliferation of technology you realize how important it is to explore the effect of cell phone texting on learner literacy. Textism refers to the use of abbreviations and other techniques to craft messages sent through the cell phone. This form of writing known as “Txtspk” does not follow standard grammar or spelling conventions. It is popular because of the wide use of cell phones and instant messaging (IM). In some developed countries there are several million texts that are sent daily. For many years educators and parents have blamed texting for two ills: the corruption of language and a degradation in spelling. Teachers are even complaining about textisms creeping into schoolwork. This has led many to wonder if it is possible that texting can have any positive influence on learners’ language development. Before you write off texting as a corruption of this generation it is important to realize that many studies have found that teens through their texting, blogging and emailing are reading and writing more than any other generation. The bottom line is that texting is not going to go away; so it has become crucial to explore the opportunities for cell phone-assisted literacy development, as well as understand the risks. More research will have to be done to consider the full impact of texting and literacy. Text style requires learners to write economically, inventively and playfully which are all good practice when learning to read and write. Some English teachers have even gone as far as to ban cell phones and texting believing there is a place for texting in the classroom. Textese or text composers must break words down into syllables and understand that words are a stream of compressed distinct language sounds. Composers of a text message must identify graphemes which represent a phonemes, deconstruct words into individual phonemes and construct a word from a string of single phonemes. Text message users must be familiar with the acceptable phoneme-grapheme mappings in written English, and must differentiate the sequence of the discrete language sounds or phonemes in a word. For decades, reading research has focused on phonological awareness and reading attainment. Researchers have shown repeatedly that children who receive explicit phonological awareness instruction eventually improve their literary skills. More importantly, much textism depends upon senders and receivers having good linguistic abilities and some acquired linguistic skills for successful texting to take place. The researchers decided to undertake the study regarding the advantages and disadvantages of texting among the Fourth Year High School students of MPCMNHS because the researchers want to know the depth of its advantages and disadvantages to the society and the country and be able to help students to understand the importance of grammar and spelling correctly in their life as whole.

Statement of the Problem Texting is a serious problem faced by schools nowadays. Almost 90% of the students make cell phone as the first rank personal belonging of a student in the school. The study attempted to determine the advantages and disadvantages of texting in the fourth year high school students of MPCMNHS in their language (spelling and grammar) and communication skills.

Significance of the Study This study was the researchers attempt to present and determine the advantages and disadvantages of texting using the text language in the language and communication skills in high school students.

Scope and Limitation The study aimed to find out the advantages and disadvantages of texting. The subject of the study were the fourth year high school students of MPCMNHS. The variables considered were the grammar check, spelling, the way of texting and how it affected the students. The study was conducted in MPCMNHS. The students answered questionnaire that helped the researcher for this study.

Definition of Terms Grammar. It is the study of the way the sentences of a language are constructed. Spelling. It is the manner in which words are spelled Text. It is the actual wording of anything written or printed. Textism. It is an abbreviation used in text messaging. Phonology. It is the study of the distribution and patterning of speech sounds in a language and of the tacit rules governing pronounciation. Grapheme. A unit of writing system consisting of all the written symbols that are used to represent a single phoneme Text speak. It is also ''Txtspk''. The process of shortening words and adding numbers to a text message, to make it "cooler". Language. It is the foundation of literature. Textese. Speaking in texting language or texting itself. Phoneme. It is the smallest unit of speech that can be used to make one word different from another word.

Chapter 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES Studies and researches have been taken along topics on texting and its advantages and disadvantages of texting to fourth year high school students. These studies are used as a guide and support to our research. The related literature and studies starts with the importance of writing and language, and goes on with the possible effects that might happen to these when technology is being used extensively. Texting feature in mobile phones has become a “God’s gift” for most of the people. This feature made this communication very convenient to everyone. It has become an important part of the daily lives of people, especially to the Filipinos. According to AHN Media Corp (2010), the Philippines has been tagged as the “texting capital of the world”. Many Filipinos exchange text messages with the use of their mobile phones. People have become frequent texters, and they have started sending messages in shortened ways. This problem cropped up with the innovation of this new technology, and its possible effects on the students’ language proficiency. The language proficiency of the students are important for effective communication. Language, according to McKee (1939), will successfully help people in different activities, which involve communication, various types of interaction, or even writing. McKee goes on to say that the ability to write effectively is still important regardless of the influential and incredible effects of technology on man’s activities. One of the most common issues of text messaging is its effects on education. Some educators say it is negatively affecting the spelling proficiency of the students. According to Dolch (1942), “Children must spell if they are to write”. When we write we use words that need to be spelled correctly. Therefore, writing would require appropriate spelling. Writing is very important, because it is one form of communication. According to Shidle (1965), “writing skills are needed everywhere”. In his book The Art of Successful Communication, he states that it is hard to find works which no longer needs communicating skills. Every person has the need to communicate effectively, and writing them down is one of the most efficient way. Also, according to Quattrini (1985), the best way to show these ideas is through writing because it is like “shaping” what you are thinking and choosing the right words for your thought . These words would bring the message of your thoughts (Cruse, 2000). Choosing the right words requires wide vocabulary. Presently, we are using English as our medium of communication; therefore, there is a need for us to be familiar with the English vocabulary. According to Gabiana’s research (as cited in Saga-Olis, 1998), students were very positive toward the English language as part of their system of education. This attitude of the respondents led to the conclusion that the students felt that language play an important role on their success in the future. According to Mackay (as cited in Saga-Olis, 1998), professionals who master the English language tend to be successful and globally competitive. Showing the importance of English as a medium of communicating internationally. The study of Enriquez and Nolasco (2007) also showed that a person who has a wide range of vocabulary might not have difficulties in thinking and communication. The two also added that vocabulary, spelling and grammar skills are the basic components of language which are very useful to a man’s life. However, nowadays, there are educators who have been complaining on papers handed by their students. One of these educators is Kate Ross (2010), who stated that the use of cellular phones are affecting student’s spelling and grammar proficiency negatively, as evidenced from their use of abbreviated words. This resulted in extensive use of electronic chatting. The students are producing worse assignments, creating incorrect subject-verb agreements, and misspelling. Ross is an instructional coach for language arts teachers in her own district, and she often see shortened words or sentences in text messaging dialogues on students’ compositions. She said that this might have changed the attitude of the students towards writing, and it seemed that they want everything done as fast as possible.
Montiel and Estuar (2006) made a study about the usage of mobile phone nowadays. And they concluded that text messaging is the most effective, the new generation because of its sending shortened messages (SMS) or texting feature which allows people to communicate with each other regardless of how far they are from each other. making mobile phones or cellular phones very popular in our country, especially to the youth. These communication gadgets are used by adolescents not only for communication purposes but also for maintaining their relationships with other people. According to Pertierra et al. (as cited in Estuar, 2003), the cellular phone is like an extension or an expression of one’s self. Compared to other forms of communication that the new world offers like the telephones and electronic mail, mobile phone technology greatly augments the non-confrontational nature of Filipinos. As what is said earlier, in texting, people can send messages to a person even without knowing where the person is, what the person is doing, and who the person is with unlike regular telephones which require a fixed location for their use. But with the cellular phone people can now establish contact with another person, regardless of where the caller and the called are. According to Estuar et al. (2006), aside from the internet, mobile phones were used in “pro-democracy movements”. Mobile phones were relatively cheaper and more affordable and accessible which made communication so easy and possible regardless of time and space barriers by increasing its utility in “political mobilizations and mass persuasions”. As evidenced from the Philippines, for example, optimal use of mobile phone’s texting capability helped in bringing down a corrupt president through the People Power II that occurred last 2001. According to Villamor (as cited in Estuar, 2003), by using the cellular phones, rally organizers have united and mobilized the crowds in front of the historic Edsa Shrine just an hour after the Senate have vetoed the opening of the bank evidence against the supposed-to-be reigning president Estrada. Texting through mobile phones as a new technology hence played a vital role in the swift alignment of political consciousness, especially among the multitude of young Filipino people. Pertierra, Ugarte, Pingal, Hernandez and Dacanay (as cited in Estuar, 2003), wrote an all-inclusive account of the social consequences of commonness in mobile phone use in the Philippines, with the conclusion that “cellphones have become a major icon in Philippine life, in that it has extended the scope of social relationships”. And from 1994 to 2002, “cellphones in the Philippines were mainly used for texting”.
Russell (2010) stated that there are different effects of frequent text messaging. Some teachers believed that shorthand texting is killing the English language because students have been writing compositions in bad spelling and grammar. Some teachers took it as a positive effect where students have started to write and edit more text. Lee (as cited in Proysen, 2009) also said that some teachers encourage their students to use instant messaging if it really helps them develop creativity when writing. Others also think that texting has no effect on English grammar. Students may learn the language of texting, but they too, should not forget that the language of texting is different from the English language, and that shorthand texting is different from the correct English grammar.
According to Guerra (2007), although most of the people are frequent texters, not all of them apply shorthand texting when writing. She said that students say it does affect their writing proficiency, and some say it has no impact at all. Nevertheless, texting is still a problem to most people. Like Guerra, Laurilla (2009) obtained varied facts from her research titled A Preliminary Investigation on the Linguistic Aspects of Text Messaging. She implied that the use of mobile phones are common to the younger sector of the society. Since almost two-thirds of the teenagers today are cellular phone owners (as cited in Laurilla, 2009). Since they grew along the modernization and technological innovation of cellular phones. The research by De La Salle University-Manila’s Department of English and Applied Linguistics (DEAL) Assistant Professor Nudred-Laurilla found that there is no significant effect and difference between the spelling and grammar efficiency of students who own cellular phones and those who don’t which implied that the respondent’s proficiency when it comes to spelling and grammar, is independent to whether they have cellular phones or not. Another research on the use of the shorthand method of texting by Banton et al. (2010) said that same assumptions rose about the negative claims on text messaging on those students who were cellular phone owners and non-owners and their daily time allotment for cellular phone use. After that was the spelling and grammar tests given the 3rd year high school students of St. Paul’s School of Ormoc Foundation Inc. The research showed that students who had greater time allotment for text messaging had lower average scores compared to those who were not frequent texters at all and among cellular phone owners, those who were frequent users of shorthand method of texting appeared to have poorer scores in both spelling and grammar tests. Similarly, a research by Rosen et al. (2009) showed that youths who used shorthand texting (LOL, gudnyt, etc.) in everyday writing developed the worse formal writing than those youths who rarely used shorthand texts. Those who used shorthand texts for communication were better “informal” writers. Unlike Rosen et al.’s research, the study conducted by Tomita (2009) titled Text Messaging and its Implications for its use in Education, he said that the world is becoming more technologically advanced, together with the rapid improvement of the world that students have to adjust and cope with the changes on their own. His study found that “text messaging tools provide an effective means of teaching students important 21st century skills”. In addition, Tomita also stated that literacy is not limited only to paper works, but also to digital literacy. According to Shaughnessy (as cited in Tomita, 2009), to overcome the character limit of 160 characters, people use jargons, codes, or shorten the words. This form of communication is too easy that it no longer require analysis. In addition, O’Connor (as cited in Tomita, 2009) said that if students continue to use instant messaging, the more that they could no longer distinguish formal and informal writing. Others also use acronyms and other abbreviations (O’Connor, 2005). But still, Goldstein and Gardner (as cited in Tomita, 2009) believe that formal writing is far different from informal writing. Others also disagree with the negative effect of text messaging. Petrillo (2006) quoted Dr. Beverly Plester, “Newer research shows a stronger casual relationship between text abbreviations and literacy skills”. Plester here is saying that text messaging is giving an exposure to the written words, which relates to a higher literacy attainment. In addition, according to Helderman (2003), Gloria Jobobs, a doctoral student studying the relationship of teenagers and instant messaging, said that students are fluent with online writing, so probably it could help them improve their writing ability. In contrary to the conclusion derived from Petrillo and Helderman’s studies, Baron (as cited in Proysen, 2009) concluded that the language of “text messaging and electronic communication” has triggered the rise of evils that would be unleashed by text messaging, such as the deterioration of spelling and grammar skills, and its application on the writings of the students. In Proysen’s study titled The Impact of Text Messaging on Standard English revealed that some educators have been indicating that text messaging has created a reflection on the students’ school papers. His study found out that these negative effects seem to have affected some of the respondents. Some students are not aware that they are carrying the text messaging language onto their writing. While some of them said it was stupid enough not to know the difference between Standard English and text abbreviations. According to Crystal (as cited in Proysen, 2009), “Expertise in text messaging and email in particular would appear to have affected spelling and punctuation”. Text messaging with its use of phonetic spelling and little or no punctuation, seems to pose a threat to traditional conventions in writing. Proysen went on to say that the text messaging phenomenon had a great impact on people’s everyday use of language although it gained popularity for a very short time created negative effects, whether it is slight or great. This conclusion of Proysen was similar to one of Myhra’s articles titled Negative Effects of Texting in the Classroom. Myhra (2010) believed that people of the present generation have grown advanced together with the innovation of technology, specifically the cellular phone, which is said to have affected the students’ spelling and grammar proficiency. People have started sending messages in abbreviated or shortened form. Students who are frequent “texters” have developed a new form of writing that is unacceptable to school-related works. He added that students are no longer practicing the proper use of punctuation, and upper and lowercase letters. Myhra (2010) concluded that frequent sending of text messages. Students have developed the habit of writing in shorthand form, which caused them to write informally. Texting has affected the students writing and grammar proficiency negatively.

This research gives more focus on the students’ use of the shorthand method of texting, which they sometimes tend to apply on their school works. This research will serve as a point of reflection for the students, to discover whether text messaging and the use of abbreviations or jargons could positively or negatively affect their spelling and grammar proficiency. The various researches we have gathered from different sources are composed of numerous ideas that led us to the formulation of different assumptions about the advantages and disadvantages of shorthand texting.