#8-Is Chatspeak destroying English?

Edu422 Journal #8
Is Chatspeak Destroying English?
Linda Howard & Greg Monfils
Learning & Leading with Technology
November 2007

IF UR CNFSD UR NT PYNG ATNSHN. Can you read this sentence? This generation of kids is now using a new method of written English, referred to as Chatspeak. It is essentially how they text-message or instant-message each other. It’s almost a form of shorthand for the English language. “You” becomes “U”, “the answer” becomes “THANSR”, and “tomorrow’ becomes “2MORO”. It’s a way to shorten the amount of letters you must type, in order to get your message across. It is also a way to hide from your parents what you are “actually” saying.
Linda and Greg have very different views on how chatspeak is affecting today’s students. Linda feels that chatspeak is destroying the students’ command of written English. She feels the more they practice this type of writing, the more likely it will become commonplace. It keeps them from expressing their opinions on a deep level. She feels chatspeak has no place in society, where effective writing skills are a must.
Greg, on the other hand, feels the students codeswitch. They are able to switch back and forth with no problem. He feels they know the difference and it is easy for them to do. He questions if we fear that Spanish class will also diminish their command of the English language. He feels it’s the teens private language, and the more we balk at it, the more they want to use it. He feels that if they use it in their writing, it’s more of a rebelliousness than a matter of ignorance.

1. Do you agree that 2 much txting mks u 1 bad splr?
I personally don’t think that chatspeak affects their ability to correctly spell words or write using proper English. I agree and think it’s just like when girls were taught how to write short-hand in school. I remember taking that class in High School, and I don’t feel it compromised my spelling. The same rings true with a foreign language. Students are able to remember how to spell words in Spanish, and then go back to being able to correctly spell in English.

2.Do you think that phone text-messaging could be a good thing?
Yes, there are many instances where being able to text a message would be a great advantage for a teen. If they find themselves in a bad situation, they could text their friend “IF IM NT THR IN 20MNS PLS CL MY DAD”, or “SOS MKT ST.”(I’m in trouble on Market Street). It’s a way to send a message without anyone else hearing it. It could actually save their life one day. I know text messaging drives many parents crazy, but we need to realize that this is this generations way of communication and staying connected with each other.