Spoken Language Study

Spoken Language Study
Look around you, on public transports, waiting in a queue or even at the dinner table and people are on their mobile phones. Many are inseparable from this device, not because they are perpetually talking but because they are constantly connecting with friends through text messaging. In this spoken language study I have collected a variety of research to explore views and opinions on texting and whether text messaging is hindering Standard English.
Whilst conducting my research I discovered interesting facts. The number of text messages sent in Britain peaked at 39.7 billion, for the year 2011. Research shows the average Brit sends 50 texts a week while an average teenager sends 193 texts per week. Half of the worlds population own a mobile phone and 2/3 of these people text.
How and why we are texting influence text: this is ‘context’. During a group activity we discussed our reasons and views as to why we use text messaging. We discovered that people text for different reasons. The results show, It is cheaper to text, The conversation in text format is shorter in contrast with a lengthy phone call. It’s convenient to text rather than call as you may not want to talk. Furthermore we acknowledged, depending on the person we type a message to there is a level of formality and informality. For example we would send formal texts to professionals, Gp/dental appointments or the bank. Whereas informal texts to friends, family or partners. Reasons being it would be inappropriate to write in ‘text speak’ to professionals. Interestingly this helped me to identify the reasons as to why I use texting. Upon reflecting I text as majority of people would rather you contact them via text messaging to communicate, hence I have succumbed to this popular phenomena. Personally i prefer to hear friends or loved ones voice through conversation as its much more personal, then twiddling my thumbs sending a text message.
As a group we firstly looked at spoken language features and compared them to written language features, secondly we discussed and compared if text messages contained spoken, written or both. We concluded that text messaging contained more written than spoken and can be structured, unstructured or even unplanned. Therefore I further discovered text messaging could be described as multi-modal as it contains written and spoken features.
For my research I looked at examples of textisms and spelling features used in text messages. Although i recognized them all, I only use the emoticon ;). Analysis of my text spelling features show that I dominantly text in Standard English as I speak in Standard English also. Embracing this style encourages my knowledge of spelling and grammar. However I do enjoy using emoticons when expressing my mood. Emoticons are softer, cartoon like and gesture less confrontational when used. When receiving texts many use the initial of the words only, such as the acronym ‘Lol’ to abbreviate laugh out loud. I prefer to send a laughing emoticon in return as I find the abbreviation ‘lol’ to be common. To maintain brevity I recognized that friends shorten words by using deletion this involves deletion of the vowels (‘gd’ ‘ppl’ ) many also used initialism (btw, omg, tbh) using letters of the words only, but not pronounced jo as a word.
6: During a group observation it was evident public attitude to texting varies, depending on age, gender, and nationality. It appeared that the younger generation of people were used to texting in comparison to the older generation. Some of the older folk who didn’t use text messaging frequently or people whose first language wasn’t English seemed to have recognised and understood what ‘lol’ was abbreviated to, suggesting that textism is universal. Younger people are more familiar with textism with number homophones and deviant spelling regionally used.
7: John Humphrys shares a prescriptive view and suggests that he has strong feelings towards how texting is affecting the Standard English, He doesn’t agree new terms or forms are introduced. He feels passionate and speaks with emotive language “pillaging our punctuation: savaging our sentences” Believing the Standard English is being ruined. Text messages can often be misinterpreted “Assumed ‘lol’ meant lots of love” The person you send the message to should be able to understand your text, so when texting acronyms this defeats the purpose of the message, as it’s not been understood. The English language may consist of ever changing abbreviations with lack of punctuation used especially for youngsters. “The danger for young people…. It will become dominate” Young people could be at risk from falling into bad habits and possessing poor spelling and grammar, If people are using social media as the only form of communication it could be a downside as it’s unsociable and can affect your social skills and ultimately become addictive.
On the contrary David Crystal’s adopts a descriptive view, He is open to change and understands that grammar and spelling is important. Abbreviating words is not something new or from the 21st centaury “100 years ago Queen Victoria used culatr“ Many words are being abbreviated but based on research “only 10% are abbreviated” and I even looked at mine and its less. It can be argued that a generation of kids wont know how to spell “kids leaving words out” but to abbreviate a word and remove the vowels in the first place the person already possesses the knowledge to spell, so this can be found untrue. “When sending a message texters know that the message needs to be understood “ceases to be unreadable,” suggesting that texters know what they are spelling when alternating grammatical words. Although it’s common belief to think young people are the dominant force behind text messages many adults are also sending text messages too, “older and conservative use text” suggesting its not only youngsters texting but a variety of people, with 80% being adult users. Language is evolving as new words develop and added to the dictionary. Playing with words and sounds can encourage literacy development I found out.
Interestingly from my analysis I have discovered that text messaging can be useful because it’s brief and short, its something that is visual and can be kept. In conclusion I am torn between my agreement with David Crystal and John Humphrys. Both arguments are equally interesting and I agree with both respectively. On the one hand continuing to learn and absorb proper grammar is important, It conveys intelligence, professionalism and command for the English language. Whereas on the other, the affect of texting on the English language is not great, new words are created, introduced and added the dictionary; it can make you quicker in retrospect. Youngster’s are improving on their spelling and inventing new terminology, keeping things fresh for the English language. Text messaging is useful in today’s society; people are always on the go, as technology evolves so does the way in which we use language to communicate. My final point is as text messaging has become more pervasive, a change in communication is inevitable and should be welcomed.