Texting Is Not Deteriorating Language — It’s Transforming It

I remember the discussions about whether it was acceptable to use “text” as a verb. “How do we even put it in the past tense?” we would exclaim in disbelief. “Do you say, ‘I texted’? That sounds absurd.” According to Merriam-Webster, the verb form of “text” first appeared in 1998, and now we use it so casually that it’s hard to believe there was ever a debate.

Since texting became popular, some linguists have claimed it is ruining the English language. In a 2002 piece in The Guardian, Professor John Sutherland from University College London dismissed texting as “penmanship for the illiterate” and derided emojis as mere “face symbols.” He even predicted that texting would soon fade away, suggesting it was merely a trend that would disappear within a couple of years. “If you’re not texting now,” he wrote, “it’s not worth learning: voice recognition systems will soon take over.”

Well, some predictions age better than others. It’s clear that Sutherland’s confidence in forecasting language evolution was misplaced, a reminder for those of us who sometimes lament, “kids these days.” Critiquing how younger generations communicate often doesn’t hold up over time.

Language is continually evolving, and texting is an integral part of that process. Gretchen McCulloch, author of Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language and co-host of the podcast Lingthusiasm, argues that texting is simply another mode of communication and a natural part of linguistic evolution. She points out that texting has its own set of rules and conventions, which can vary depending on the context: older generations tend to text differently than younger individuals, and we communicate with friends differently than with colleagues.

The focus of communication has shifted as well. “The old rules were about rigid structures like ‘here’s how to use an apostrophe’ or ‘here’s how to use a semicolon,’” McCulloch explained during an NPR interview. “The new rules are about how others will interpret your tone. The old rules emphasized showcasing intellectual superiority, while the new rules prioritize connection between people.”

Periods Are Apparently Aggressive

Recently, a friend of mine posted a question on Facebook: “Both of my teenagers agree that periods in text messages are ‘aggressive.’ Are they broken?” After 228 comments, there was no consensus on whether periods are indeed aggressive, but clear trends emerged: younger people view a period at the end of a message as akin to a death stare, while older folks insist, “But … punctuation is a sentence-ending tool.”

I send enough texts throughout the day that I lean towards the younger perspective: I often omit periods, and when someone responds to me with a period, I pause to consider the context before determining if they are annoyed or just meticulous.

McCulloch also discussed this punctuation issue in her NPR interview. She noted that as texting evolved, the use of periods started to decline. In formal writing, a period signifies a clear break between sentences. In texting, however, sending the message functions as the break. Therefore, to a young person, the text “awesome” conveys enthusiasm, while “Awesome.” might come off as sarcastic (think: “Ugh, awesome,” with an eyeroll).

Texting Isn’t Sinking Grammar Standards Either

In a recent episode of her podcast Lingthusiasm, McCulloch tackled the claim that texting is ruining language, especially among youth. A study from 2012 suggested a correlation between time spent texting and declining grammar skills. The media quickly jumped on this study, repeating its findings without scrutinizing its methodologies. However, linguists later found that the correlation was statistically insignificant and could be attributed to grade level. Furthermore, the study focused solely on a 20-question grammar test without considering the quality of students’ writing or their ability to express ideas clearly.

According to McCulloch and numerous other 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 tests of grammar, spelling, and reading fluency.

Kids Are Writing More Than Ever Before

This makes perfect sense. Kids today are always writing, constantly expressing themselves through the written word. While their texts may sometimes lack proper punctuation and grammar, that doesn’t mean they can’t write effectively.

As a professional writer, the texts I send from my phone are vastly different from what I produce on my laptop. When I type on my phone, I tend to overlook spelling errors and grammar rules, but I’m much more careful when using my computer. My children do the same thing. Their texting may be informal and messy, but their school writing adheres to the traditional conventions of spelling and grammar appropriate for their age or even beyond.

Texting Is Accelerating Language Evolution

Our increasing connectivity means that language evolves more rapidly than ever. Every year, Merriam-Webster adds hundreds of new words. Our digital interactions not only facilitate the swift spread of new phrases but also allow older generations to learn and adopt youth slang, often diluting its originality (goodbye, “on fleek”).

Texting has, in many ways, developed into a distinct language, complete with its own norms, abbreviations, and implied meanings. In terms of sharing ideas, it holds equal value to formal written English. Our children continually impress us with their ability to switch between informal texting and the formal language required for academic essays. They also showcase an incredible creativity in generating new words at a pace we can hardly keep up with.

No cap.

This article was originally published on April 19, 2021.

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Summary:

Texting is not a threat to language but rather a natural evolution of communication. While critics argue that it erodes grammar and punctuation, studies suggest that informal texting does not predict poor formal writing skills. Instead, texting fosters creativity and enables young people to express themselves through writing more than ever, allowing for a unique linguistic evolution that reflects our increasingly connected world.