Texting Is Not Destroying Language — It’s Transforming It

I remember the conversations about whether it was acceptable to use “text” as a verb. “How do we conjugate it in the past tense?” we’d ask, incredulously. “Saying, ‘I texted’? That’s absurd.” Merriam-Webster notes the first use of “text” as a verb dates back to 1998, and now we use it without a second thought.

Since texting emerged, some language experts have criticized it as the demise of English. In a 2002 piece for the Guardian, John Sutherland, a professor of Modern English Literature at University College London, derided texting as “penmanship for illiterates” and referred to emojis as “face symbols.” He even predicted texting was merely a passing trend, destined to fizzle out in “a year or two (max).” “If you don’t text now,” he argued, “it’s not worth learning: soon voice recognition systems will take over.”

Ah, some articles age like milk, I suppose. I’m sure many of Sutherland’s other claims weren’t quite so misguided.

Language Evolves, and Texting Is a Part of That

Sutherland’s overconfidence in predicting language evolution serves as a reminder for us all, particularly those of us who often mutter phrases like “kids these days.” Criticizing how younger generations communicate doesn’t typically age well.

Gretchen McCulloch, author of “Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language” and co-host of the podcast “Lingthusiasm,” argues that texting is just another communication form and a natural aspect of language evolution. She observes that texting has its own rules and conventions, but these are highly context-dependent: older generations text differently than younger ones, and we text friends in a different style than colleagues.

The focus of communication can vary too. “The old rules are rigid, dictating how to use an apostrophe or a semicolon,” McCulloch explained in an NPR interview. “The new rules focus on how others interpret your tone of voice. … The old rules emphasize intellectual superiority, while the new rules foster connection.”

Are Periods Aggressive?

Recently, a friend posted a question on Facebook: “Both of my teenagers agree that periods in text messages are ‘aggressive.’ Are they broken?” After 228 comments, no consensus emerged, but trends were clear: younger people view a period as the text version of a death stare, while older generations argue, “But … punctuation. It marks the end of a sentence. Hello.”

I send enough texts daily that I tend to align with the younger crew on this one: I often omit periods, and when I receive a text with a period, I pause to assess the context before deciding if the sender is annoyed or just punctilious.

McCulloch also discussed the contentious period in her NPR interview. She posited that as texting evolved, periods became less common. In formal writing, a period serves as a necessary break between sentences. In texting, hitting send marks the separation, making the period redundant.

To a young person, the text “awesome” can convey enthusiasm, while “Awesome.” may come off as sarcastic (think: “Ugh, awesome,” with an eyeroll).

Texting Isn’t the End of Grammar, Either

In episode seven of her podcast, “Lingthusiasm,” McCulloch addresses the notion that texting is ruining language, particularly among youth. A 2012 study linked time spent texting to declining grammar skills, which the media quickly amplified without scrutinizing the study’s methods. Upon closer examination, linguists found the correlation statistically insignificant and attributable to grade level; middle school students only took a 20-question grammar test, with no evaluation of their writing quality or clarity.

According to McCulloch and various studies, informal texting does not predict poor formal writing skills. In fact, a 2010 study by M.A. Drouin from Indiana University–Purdue University found that students who texted more often scored higher on grammar, spelling, and reading fluency exams.

Kids Are Writing More Than Ever Before

And that makes perfect sense! Kids are constantly writing. They’re expressing themselves through written word all the time. Teens’ texts may be chaotic in terms of punctuation and grammar, but that doesn’t imply they cannot write.

As a professional writer, I notice a stark difference between my thumb-typed texts on my phone and what I produce on my laptop. On my phone, I often overlook spelling errors and grammar conventions — but only there. When typing on my computer, I instinctively use punctuation because my fingers are trained to include it. My kids do the same. Their texting may seem messy, but their schoolwork follows traditional spelling and grammar rules suitable for their grade level and sometimes beyond.

Texting Accelerates Language Evolution

The more connected we are, the faster language evolves. Each year, Merriam-Webster adds hundreds of new words. Our digital connectivity allows new terms and phrases to spread like wildfire, while platforms like Urban Dictionary help older generations catch up to younger slang, often diluting its coolness (RIP, “on fleek.”).

Texting has developed into a distinct form of communication with its own expectations, shorthand, and implied meanings. It holds equal value to formal written English when it comes to sharing ideas. Our children will amaze us with their ability to switch between informal text-speak and the formal language required for essays. They’ll also astonish us with their boundless creativity in generating new words faster than we can keep pace. No cap.

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Summary:

Texting is not the downfall of language; it is a natural evolution. Language expert Gretchen McCulloch emphasizes that texting has developed its own rules that vary by age group and context. While some critics argue that texting diminishes grammar skills, studies reveal that increased texting correlates with improved writing abilities. Children are writing more than ever, adapting their language use for different settings. Texting accelerates linguistic evolution, creating a dynamic communication landscape.