Textism: Instant Messaging and Rapid Phonological Retrieval
Textism
Texting refers to the use of abbreviations and other techniques to craft SMS and instant messages. Texting does not always follow the standard rules of English grammar, nor usual word spellings. It is so pervasive that some regard it as an emergent language register in it's own right. This is largely due to the proliferation of mobile phones as well as internet-based instant messaging (IM).
During these times of technological breakthroughs, none can be more practical or influential to our society today than the development of Text Messaging. Helping people to communicate in ways our ancestors would have already considered magic. But despite all the benefits text messaging offers, it has also a downside, especially affecting teenage literacy. Text messaging is quickly becoming a primary form of communication for many people around the world, yet the research behind the rhetorical situation of text messaging is very limited. The mainstream media claims that the short hand and abbreviated characteristics of text messaging are making children lazy, not forcing them to use the proper grammar and spelling that they learn in school. The resulting opinion is that text messaging is to blame for low literacy rates of students.
Teens are the most affected when it comes to text messaging. According to The British Psychological Society in 2011, they have con concluded that children between 8-12 have developed a syndrome called, Textism or Techspeak. As amusing as it may sound, its really alarming. In the studies the British Psychological Society conducted they have, one hundred and nineteen children aged between 8 and 12 years were assessed on measures of general ability, reading, spelling, rapid phonological retrieval, and phonological awareness at the beginning and end of an academic year. The children were also asked to provide a sample of the text messages that they sent over a 2-day period. These messages were analyzed to determine the extent to which textisms
Texting refers to the use of abbreviations and other techniques to craft SMS and instant messages. Texting does not always follow the standard rules of English grammar, nor usual word spellings. It is so pervasive that some regard it as an emergent language register in it's own right. This is largely due to the proliferation of mobile phones as well as internet-based instant messaging (IM).
During these times of technological breakthroughs, none can be more practical or influential to our society today than the development of Text Messaging. Helping people to communicate in ways our ancestors would have already considered magic. But despite all the benefits text messaging offers, it has also a downside, especially affecting teenage literacy. Text messaging is quickly becoming a primary form of communication for many people around the world, yet the research behind the rhetorical situation of text messaging is very limited. The mainstream media claims that the short hand and abbreviated characteristics of text messaging are making children lazy, not forcing them to use the proper grammar and spelling that they learn in school. The resulting opinion is that text messaging is to blame for low literacy rates of students.
Teens are the most affected when it comes to text messaging. According to The British Psychological Society in 2011, they have con concluded that children between 8-12 have developed a syndrome called, Textism or Techspeak. As amusing as it may sound, its really alarming. In the studies the British Psychological Society conducted they have, one hundred and nineteen children aged between 8 and 12 years were assessed on measures of general ability, reading, spelling, rapid phonological retrieval, and phonological awareness at the beginning and end of an academic year. The children were also asked to provide a sample of the text messages that they sent over a 2-day period. These messages were analyzed to determine the extent to which textisms