Week Four: ABC Media Report

Article from: ABC Media Report
Title: Txtng Rls!
Presenter: Anthony Funnell
Date: August 14, 2008

Link: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2008/2330972.htm#transcript

In this article, presenter, Anthony Funnell, talks to a linguist about the language of text messages. They discuss concerns that people, especially children, who frequently text each other using shortened versions of words and abbreviations are destroying the english language and disadvantaging themselves when it comes to their literacy. Linguist, David Crystal, has conducted a study which clearly contradicts this theory.

David Crystal suggests that only 10% of text messages are abbreviated and the other 90% is plain and simple normal english. He also says that the more we read and write, even text messages, the better our vocabulary, literacy, reading and writing skills will be.

I had not thought about text mesaging this way before reading this article and a lot of what Mr Crystal is saying makes sense. I looked back through some of the text messages in my phone and found that he was right, most of the language used by both myself and people who have messaged me is not abbreviated.

Perhaps there is more to text messaging than meets the eye. If this is a way we can engage people in reading and writing who would not normally do so, then why not use it to our, and their, advantage. I can think of many of my friends who do not read books or do not write for pleasure, but who spend hours text messaging people on their phones. If that is a medium in which they find reading and writing both fun and beneficial then why not tap into that. I can think of a similar example with new technology such as internet blogs (like this one) or interactive social networking sites, such as facebook or myspace, which encourage reading and writing. 'Check out my blog!', 'Leave me a comment on myspace!', 'Comment on my pictures on facebook!'. These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to using new media to encourage literacy. And I think one of the best things about these new forms of communication is that people don't even realise they are learning. It's not a chore and they don't feel as though they have anything to rebel against. If that's not a way to reach people who don't respond well to traditional lerning techniques then I don't know what is!

There is also the matter of organisations and companies using text messaging to reach a new clientele. It seems even ad's on TV are starting to use text messaging as a form of communication more frequently. Just the other day I saw an ad for an insurance company which offers quotes by text message for both car and home insurance. This is a convienient and cost effective way to communicate and another option for both individuals and big business. Gone are the days when it was only possible to write a letter, use the telephone or even visit a business or person in order to recieve the information you needed. Now, there are more possibilities than ever and I believe choice can only be a good thing.