Argument Essay: Use Of Text-Speak
A very common debatable topic is text-messaging. Or more specifically the use of text-speak, otherwise referred to as “textese.” David Crystal and John Humphrys have both written articles on text-speak. Both of the articles mention the texting; history, effects, usage and etc.
According to the author David Crystal in the online article “2B OR NOT 2B”?, text messages developed in the “early 90s”. He also brings up the idea of “textese”, which is basically the language of text messages. In the article he says “The most noticeable feature is the use of single letters, numerals, and symbols to represent words or parts of words, as with b "be" and 2 "to””. Statements written in this fashion are truly known as rebuses. Rebuses actually go back …show more content…
John Humphrys states “But as it has developed its users have sought out increasingly obscure ways of expressing themselves which, when you think about it, entirely defeats the purpose.” The purpose of a text message is to express ourselves via text without having to call someone. We are supposed to get our opinion across without the person on the other end questioning what we’re feeling. Text messages are faceless. The text message has no form of expression so the entire point of texting is useless according to Humphrys. Thus why text if we can not express ourselves properly. David Crystal actually believes you can express yourself through text messages. He even brings up an historical expression. He references the case of Stuart Campbell. Stuart Campbell was found guilty of murdering his niece. Throughout the trial he attributed his innocence to text messages he claimed his niece sent him that would prove him innocent. The job of forensic linguists is to figure out text message patterns. Using their skills in this case they were able to figure out that he forged the messages. It also states that “easily detectable than in writing using standard English.” For them to figure out that his niece did not write the text message actually shows that some self expression and self-identity can be found within text
According to the author David Crystal in the online article “2B OR NOT 2B”?, text messages developed in the “early 90s”. He also brings up the idea of “textese”, which is basically the language of text messages. In the article he says “The most noticeable feature is the use of single letters, numerals, and symbols to represent words or parts of words, as with b "be" and 2 "to””. Statements written in this fashion are truly known as rebuses. Rebuses actually go back …show more content…
John Humphrys states “But as it has developed its users have sought out increasingly obscure ways of expressing themselves which, when you think about it, entirely defeats the purpose.” The purpose of a text message is to express ourselves via text without having to call someone. We are supposed to get our opinion across without the person on the other end questioning what we’re feeling. Text messages are faceless. The text message has no form of expression so the entire point of texting is useless according to Humphrys. Thus why text if we can not express ourselves properly. David Crystal actually believes you can express yourself through text messages. He even brings up an historical expression. He references the case of Stuart Campbell. Stuart Campbell was found guilty of murdering his niece. Throughout the trial he attributed his innocence to text messages he claimed his niece sent him that would prove him innocent. The job of forensic linguists is to figure out text message patterns. Using their skills in this case they were able to figure out that he forged the messages. It also states that “easily detectable than in writing using standard English.” For them to figure out that his niece did not write the text message actually shows that some self expression and self-identity can be found within text