Texting: The Destroyer of English Grammar

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A topic that has been raved about in recent years is how texting is affecting the English language, or particularly how texting is killing the English language. Just like any other argument, there are two perspectives to this story, we’ll divide these perspectives into two different categories: linguistic and non-linguistic. The non-linguistic view of the effects of texting is relatively negative. Some say that texting is creating a very lazy generation, others say that it will eventually take over what we now know as grammatically correct, even infamous broadcaster John Humphrys believes that texting is “pillaging our punctuation, savaging our sentences; raping our vocabulary. And they must be stopped.” Still others, in the more linguistic point-of-view, say that texting is not apt for language decline at all, but rather the start of a very small language evolution – an evolution that is actually having a good effect on the language and the texters themselves.
I understand where these negative comments and attitudes are coming from because of the neglect of grammar in schools, and the constant interference of the media with its increase of obscene music, celebrity fashion and acceptance of profane language. But just because an argument is understood, it does not mean that is it right. It is impossible for texting to replace what we know as “proper grammar”, or “good English” because there is no consistency between texters; without consistency, it cannot become a new standard. John McWhorter goes further to argue that texting isn’t a form of writing at all, but rather a reflection of our day-to-day speech. He provides evidence that this new craze of text language really isn’t new at all and has actually been used all throughout ...

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... be someone who disapproves and critiques, and the world continues on with or without them.

Works Cited

McWhorter, John. "Talking With Your Fingers." . The New York Times, 23 Apr. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. .
Crystal, David. "2b or not 2b?." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 5 July 2008. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. .
McWhorter, John. "John McWhorter: Txtng is killing language. JK!!!." YouTube. TED Talk, 22 Apr. 2013. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. .
Brians, Paul. "Common Errors in English Usage." Common Errors in English Usage. Washington State University, 1 Jan. 1997. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. .

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