Textspeak: Communication Vs. American Sign Language

Relaying a message or an Idea within moments versus writing letters with the anticipation of waiting days for a response, I must admit that technology has optimized our abilities to communicate with timely ease. Examining this new movement in communicating with technology, I consider it as an altered method of communication versus traditional approaches. However, there are some critics that beg to differ the idea about technology and communication. To some, it is seen as a pathway to the degradation of spoken language as we know it, but I believe it has no impact on spoken language, but an innovative way to communicate without using your vocal chords. Like American Sign Language for the hearing impaired to Morse code with its mysterious
In Crystal’s essay “Texting” he gives this style of communication a name “Textspeak.” He poses the question: “Will Textspeak have an effect on the language as a whole?” This is unlikely.”(Pg. 246:14) his belief is this style of communication is only purposeful for the use of a certain type of electronic communication where the space to convey a message is limited. (Pg. 246:14). In my opinion, technology will not change spoken language, but is relational language concomitant to spoken and written language. In Kris Axtman’s article he stated that,“ to some, it’s a creative twist on dialogue and a new, harmless version of teen slang.” I must agree that this is just a new way of communicating dialogue. Axtman also shared a statement from Neil Randell, an English professor at the University of Waterloo, who authored “Lingo Online: A report on the Language of the Keyboard Generation” where, “the results, he says is the use of writing to simulate speech.” (Pg.247:
John McWhorter, who is a linguist, did his presentation on “Txting is Killing Language. JK!!!” his interpretation of electronic communication also supports the observation that (texting, tweeting, and blogging, etc.) is not affecting spoken language but is what he elegantly refers to this type of communicating as “Fingered Speech.” He stated, “What texting is, despite the fact that it involves the brute mechanics of something that we call writing, is fingered speech.”(McWhorter 5:20)
So the question is: If texting is considered “fingered speech” and is used only in texting forums have their own grammar rules using mostly consonants, then how could this form of communication affect spoken language? It can’t! Who will be talking to another person saying, “L-M-A-O” (laughing my ass off!) or “W-F-D” (what’s for dinner?) This is extremely