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Certain technological developments of the last two decades have a lot of people worrying about the state of the English language. Emailing, blogging, instant-messaging, tweeting, and texting are introducing new ways of writing and communicating, and the fear is that these technologies will encourage a sloppy, casual form of written English that will eventually replace “proper” English altogether. Texting, in particular, has people concerned because it encourages the use of a specialized, nonstandard form of English. However, the effects of this new “textese” are misunderstood. Texting is not destroying the English language; in fact, it is keeping the language alive.

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Texting has become extremely popular because sending text messages is instant, mobile, and silent. To make texting more efficient, texters have developed a shorthand—an abbreviated form of English that uses numbers and symbols in addition to letters. In textese, common phrases such as “see you later” or “talk to you later” become “cul8r” and “ttyl.” Feelings and phrases are also expressed with emoticons, such as “:-o” (meaning “alarmed”) or “>:-<” (meaning “angry”). Today, texting is the preferred method of communication for millions of people—especially young people, who are the most enthusiastic users of this technology. Not surprisingly, unwarranted fears that texting will destroy the language often focus on this group.

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Some people say texting will destroy the English language because it encourages the use of an overly simplified form of written English that does not follow standard rules of spelling, grammar, and punctuation. The implication is that people who text, particularly children and teens, will not learn standard written English. However, there is no evidence that texting is having or will have this effect. In fact, Australian researchers Nenagh Kemp and Catherine Bushnell at the University of Tasmania recently found just the opposite to be true. They demonstrated that students who were good at texting were also strong in reading, writing, and spelling (Rock). If, in fact, young people’s language skills are weakening, researchers should look for the real cause for this decline rather than incorrectly blaming texting.

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Despite what its critics charge, texting is a valuable way of communicating that actually encourages more writing and reading. Texters often spend hours each day engaged with language. This is time that would otherwise probably be spent on the phone, not reading or writing. Textese may not be standard written English, but it is a rich and inventive form of communication, a creative modification of English for a particular purpose. For this reason, standard English is not in danger of being destroyed or replaced by textese. Just as most young people know not to talk to their teachers the way they talk to their friends, they know not to write essays the way they write text messages. Texting simply broadens young people’s exposure to the written word.

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Another reason texting is valuable is that it encourages creative use of language. These messages are typically quick and brief, so the need for new and clever abbreviations is constant. Texters are continually playing with words and coming up with new ways of expressing themselves. Texting does not, as some fear, encourage sloppy, thoughtless, or careless writing. On the contrary, it rewards ingenuity and precision. One ongoing study by Canadian researchers aims to prove this point. They have already been able to demonstrate that texters are “creative and efficient at communicating” and use “novel forms of communications” (Shaw). Nenagh Kemp has also observed how texting encourages word play. Kemp maintains that texting shows “language is fluid and flourishing, rather than in a sad state of decline” (Rock). In other words, researchers recognize that texting is not damaging the English language but actually enriching it and keeping it alive.

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According to Business Insider, eighteen- to twenty-four-year-olds now send 2,022 texts per month and receive 1,831 texts (Cocotas). That averages out to around 67 texts per day. The exceptional popularity of texting and its fast growth over the last fifteen years explain why it is attracting attention. It is not, however, the threat that some believe it to be. It is neither destroying the language nor deadening people’s thoughts and feelings. It is a lively, original, and creative way for people to play with words and stay connected.

Works Cited

Cocotas, Alex. “Chart of the Day: Kids Send a Mind Boggling Number of Texts Every Month.” Business Insider, 22 Mar. 2013, www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-number-of-texts-sent-2013-3.

Rock, Margaret. “Texting May Improve Literacy.” Mobiledia, Mashable, 12 Sept. 2011, mashable.com/2011/09/12/texting-improves-literacy/#sCYnNT6VB8qL.

Shaw, Gillian. “Researchers Study Text Messages as Language Form.” Vancouver Sun, 18 Jan. 2012, www.vancouversun.com/life/researchers+study+text+messages+language+form/6010501/story.html.