u 2 cn luv txtng

New technologies typically generate debate about their impact on society. The printing press, telegraph, telephone, and broadcasting all generated fears of harmful effects. One of the current technologies being debated is text messaging.

There are those who argue that texting is preventing students from acquiring adequate literacy skills. I haven’t experienced this with my university students. I occasionally receive an email in all lower case and an occasional “i” in a paper. I have not observed any general decline in ability to communicate as a result of the practice of texting.

If you fear text messaging is destroying the English language and marks the end of civilization, you can relax. u 2 cn luv txtng. Linguist David Crystal, in his new book txtng: the gr8 db8, explains how text messaging is actually nothing radically new. Texting simply involves adapting a new technology through the application of centuries-old linguistic processes. Crystal explains that use of lower case simply avoids extra key-pushes, saving time and effort. Regarding use of abbreviations, Crystal cites research that shows very few text messages actually contain abbreviations. And abbreviations are nothing new, being in use since at least the seventeenth century. We use them everyday. Some common ones are Mr., Mrs., VIP, CD, DVD, AIDS, IOU, AWOL, mph, p.m., etc.

While there are those who argue that texting is preventing students from acquiring literacy skills, Crystal makes the case that texting actually benefits the development of these skills. He argues that text messaging requires students to already have sophisticated reading and writing abilities. The use of abbreviations requires a sense of how the sounds of a language relate to letters. Abbreviating words demands awareness about alternative spellings. Use of abbreviations also requires sensitivity to the communication needs of the person receiving the message. Crystal reassures us that texting is just another form of language that has emerged as an adaptation to a particular technology.

txtng is an informative and interesting read. Anyone concerned about the impact of technology on students and society will benefit from reading Crystal’s book. As a bonus, the list of abbreviations at the end of the book can help you decipher the next text message you may receive from a student.