Texting Isn’t Destroying Language — It’s Transforming It

I can recall the debate on whether using “text” as a verb was acceptable. “How do we even conjugate it in the past tense?” we would say, incredulously. “Do we say, ‘I texted’? That’s absurd.” Merriam-Webster traces the first use of “text” as a verb back to 1998. Nowadays, we use it without a second thought.

Since texting’s inception, some linguists have claimed it signals the decline of the English language. In a 2002 piece in the Guardian, Professor John Williams of Modern English Literature at University College London dismissed texting as “penmanship for illiterates” and derided emojis as “face symbols.” He even predicted texting was just a fleeting trend, destined to fade away in a year or two. “If you’re not texting now,” he wrote, “it’s not worth your time; voice recognition systems will take over soon enough.”

Well, some predictions don’t age well, do they? I’m sure many of Williams’ other statements weren’t as off-base.

Language Evolves, and Texting Is Part of That

Nevertheless, Williams’ overconfidence in forecasting language evolution serves as a lesson for us, particularly those of us fond of saying “kids these days.” Criticism of youth communication styles tends to age poorly.

Gretchen McCulloch, author of “Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language” and co-host of the podcast “Lingthusiasm,” argues that texting represents another communication method and is a natural aspect of language evolution. She points out that texting has its own set of rules and conventions, which can vary greatly across different contexts: older adults text differently than younger individuals, and we communicate with friends in a different way than with colleagues.

The intent behind communication can differ, too. “The old rules were about rigid structures, like ‘here’s how you use an apostrophe’ or ‘here’s how you use a semicolon,’” McCulloch explained in an NPR interview. “The new rules focus on how others will interpret your tone of voice. … The former rules aimed to showcase intellectual superiority, while the latter emphasize forging connections among people.”

Periods Are Considered Aggressive, Apparently

Recently, a friend of mine posted on Facebook: “Both of my teenagers agree that periods in text messages are ‘aggressive.’ Are they broken?” After 228 comments, there was no consensus about whether periods are indeed aggressive, but clear trends emerged: younger individuals view periods as the text equivalent of a death stare, while older folks argue, “But … punctuation. It’s the end of a sentence!”

Given the volume of texts I send daily, I find myself siding more with the younger crowd: I often omit periods, and when someone responds with one, I pause to assess the context, trying to determine if they’re annoyed or simply punctilious.

McCulloch also addressed the contentious period during her NPR interview. She noted that as texting evolved, the period was often dropped. In formal writing, punctuation serves as a necessary break between sentences; in texting, the act of hitting send marks that separation. Hence, to a young person, a text that simply says “awesome” conveys excitement, while “Awesome.” may come off as sarcastic (think: “Ugh, awesome,” accompanied by an eye roll).

Texting Isn’t the Downfall of Grammar, Either

In a recent episode of her podcast, “Lingthusiasm,” McCulloch tackled the claim that texting ruins language, particularly for younger generations. A 2012 study suggested a link between texting frequency and declining grammar skills. The media quickly circulated this study without scrutinizing its methodology. When linguists examined it closely, they found the correlation statistically insignificant, attributing it to grade level. Moreover, the kids involved (who were in middle school) only completed a 20-question grammar test, and their writing skills—how clearly they expressed their ideas—were overlooked.

According to McCulloch and several other studies, informal texting does not predict poor formal writing abilities. Indeed, a 2010 study by M.A. Drouin from Indiana University–Purdue University revealed that students who texted more scored better on grammar, spelling, and reading fluency assessments.

Kids Are Writing More Than Ever Before

This makes perfect sense. After all, kids are constantly writing and expressing themselves through the written word. Their texts might appear messy in terms of punctuation and grammar, but that doesn’t mean they “can’t write.”

As a writer, I notice that the thumb-typed texts I send from my phone are vastly different from what I produce on my laptop. On my phone, where I type with my thumbs, I often ignore spelling mistakes, typos, and grammar rules—both my own and those of others—but that only happens on my mobile. When I’m on my computer, I instinctively use proper punctuation. My children do the same; their texting may be chaotic, but the writing they submit for school assignments adheres to the proper spelling and grammar conventions suitable for their grade level and sometimes surpasses it.

Texting Accelerates Language Evolution

The more interconnected we become, the quicker language evolves. Each year, hundreds of new words are added to Merriam-Webster. Our digital connectivity not only allows new words and phrases to spread at lightning speed, but platforms like Urban Dictionary enable older generations to learn younger generations’ slang and integrate it into their vocabulary, often stripping it of any “coolness” (RIP, “on fleek”).

Texting has evolved into a language of its own, complete with unique expectations, shorthands, and implied meanings. In terms of sharing ideas interpersonally, it holds no more or less value than formal written English. Our children will continue to amaze us with their ability to switch between informal texting language and the type of language necessary for academic essays. They’ll continually surprise us with their creativity in generating new words faster than we can keep pace.

No cap.

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Summary:

Texting is not a threat to language but an integral part of its evolution. As highlighted by experts, texting has developed its own rules and conventions, which vary by context and audience. While some may view it as detrimental to grammar, studies suggest that texting can enhance writing skills. Young people are expressing themselves through a written medium more than ever, adapting their communication styles based on context. This adaptability showcases the richness and fluidity of language in a digital age.