Madison Gregory
English 102
Dr. Watkins
February 3, 2016
The Language of “Txting”
“Txt me back l8r bc I gtg.” Such abbreviated language is very prominent in different types of communication today. In the article “2b or Not 2b?” written by David Crystal, there are many aspects stated on this topic. Crystal’s article is, in summary, about Crystal’s opinion on the use of abbreviation messages in communication, but mostly in text messages. Although Crystal makes many considerable points in his article, I disagree that using abbreviations improves literacy and that text communications are negligible, but I agree that abbreviated words have been recurring in communication for an extensive amount of time.
I disagree with the Crystal’s way of thinking that using abbreviations in text messages improves literacy. When referring to abbreviations Crystal says, “There is increasing evidence that it helps rather than hinders literacy” (337). Crystal’s assertion that using abbreviations improves reading and writing skills does not fit the facts. I believe that people use abbreviations to increase speed of typing and out of laziness. To the children using these types of messages, they may not actually understand the grammar rules that they will need to be successful in life if they have been taught the “texting language” fist. In conclusion, Crystal’s opinion was inaccurate.
I disagree with Crystal’s standpoint that texting is more negligible than the average person perceives it to be. Crystal says, “A trillion text messages might seem a lot, but when we set these alongside the multi-trillion instances of standard orthography in everyday life, they appear as no more than a few ripples on the surface on the sea of language” (339). Crystal’s claim that text messages are not a big part of daily communication rests upon the questionable assumption that these messages do not have a large impact on people. His assumption was not true because the significance of text messages vary between individuals and even groups. All in all, Crystal’s belief on the importance of text messages is inaccurate.
I agree with Crystal’s point of view that abbreviated words have been used commonly for a very long time. Crystal encourages the use of abbreviations in communication. Crystal states, “Eric Partridge published his Dictionary of Abbreviations in 1942… 50 years before texting was born” (339). Crystal’s theory of abbreviations being used throughout history is extremely useful because it shed light on the difficult problem of younger people being stereotyped for doing this. Throughout my childhood even household things have been abbreviated, such as the term “fridge” which is short for refridgerator. It seems people have always used this form of communication. Overall, Crystal is accurate when he discussed the length of time abbreviations have been used in communication.
Sometimes those who use avid abbreviations in their forms of communication should be considerate of how their message in conveyed. In the article “2b or Not 2b?” written by David Crystal, Crystal promotes these abbreviations as a new form of communication. Although Crystal makes many appreciable points in his article, I disagree that using abbreviations improves the ability to read and write, that text communications are negligible, and I agree that abbreviated words have been seen in communication for a long time.
Works Cited
Crystal, David. "2b or Not 2b?" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 380-386. Print.
English 102
Dr. Watkins
February 3, 2016
The Language of “Txting”
“Txt me back l8r bc I gtg.” Such abbreviated language is very prominent in different types of communication today. In the article “2b or Not 2b?” written by David Crystal, there are many aspects stated on this topic. Crystal’s article is, in summary, about Crystal’s opinion on the use of abbreviation messages in communication, but mostly in text messages. Although Crystal makes many considerable points in his article, I disagree that using abbreviations improves literacy and that text communications are negligible, but I agree that abbreviated words have been recurring in communication for an extensive amount of time.
I disagree with the Crystal’s way of thinking that using abbreviations in text messages improves literacy. When referring to abbreviations Crystal says, “There is increasing evidence that it helps rather than hinders literacy” (337). Crystal’s assertion that using abbreviations improves reading and writing skills does not fit the facts. I believe that people use abbreviations to increase speed of typing and out of laziness. To the children using these types of messages, they may not actually understand the grammar rules that they will need to be successful in life if they have been taught the “texting language” fist. In conclusion, Crystal’s opinion was inaccurate.
I disagree with Crystal’s standpoint that texting is more negligible than the average person perceives it to be. Crystal says, “A trillion text messages might seem a lot, but when we set these alongside the multi-trillion instances of standard orthography in everyday life, they appear as no more than a few ripples on the surface on the sea of language” (339). Crystal’s claim that text messages are not a big part of daily communication rests upon the questionable assumption that these messages do not have a large impact on people. His assumption was not true because the significance of text messages vary between individuals and even groups. All in all, Crystal’s belief on the importance of text messages is inaccurate.
I agree with Crystal’s point of view that abbreviated words have been used commonly for a very long time. Crystal encourages the use of abbreviations in communication. Crystal states, “Eric Partridge published his Dictionary of Abbreviations in 1942… 50 years before texting was born” (339). Crystal’s theory of abbreviations being used throughout history is extremely useful because it shed light on the difficult problem of younger people being stereotyped for doing this. Throughout my childhood even household things have been abbreviated, such as the term “fridge” which is short for refridgerator. It seems people have always used this form of communication. Overall, Crystal is accurate when he discussed the length of time abbreviations have been used in communication.
Sometimes those who use avid abbreviations in their forms of communication should be considerate of how their message in conveyed. In the article “2b or Not 2b?” written by David Crystal, Crystal promotes these abbreviations as a new form of communication. Although Crystal makes many appreciable points in his article, I disagree that using abbreviations improves the ability to read and write, that text communications are negligible, and I agree that abbreviated words have been seen in communication for a long time.
Works Cited
Crystal, David. "2b or Not 2b?" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 380-386. Print.