Txting is 2 teens as wrting short hand is 2 gen x. Texting has evolved substantially through the years and is now a main form of communication throughout the world. Because of the popularity of text messages, controversy over texting has increased as well. It is thought by some, usually older generations, that texting is ruining society because it is making people illiterate. Professor David Crystal responds to the texting controversy in his article “2b or Not 2b?”. Crystal replies with his own arguments that detail why texting is not as harmful to society as his opponents believe. He addresses the history behind texting and what it has evolved into today. Crystal also states the multiple uses of texting in our society. Crystal is correct in believing that texting is not harmful when he states that texters are aware that they must be understood, abbreviations have been used for years, and texting is helpful in a child’s literary understanding.
Crystal makes the point that texters are aware that to understand their texts, they must use abbreviations carefully. Crystal writes, “Although many texters enjoy breaking linguistic rules, they also know they need to be understood. There is no point in paying to send a message if it breaks so many rules that it ceases to be intelligible” (337). The essence of Crystal’s argument is that texters are intellectual and understand when to shorten texts efficiently to get the point across in a fast manner while also keeping the text messages easy to understand. I agree with Crystal’s argument. I have noticed a greater number of my friends using proper English to text instead of abbreviations. In fact, most people I know don’t use abbreviations at all. It is even becoming more popular for texters to not abbreviate words at all. Also, adults understand that an abbreviated form of a word is not the actual word itself. Adults must know the correct forms of the words in order to shorten them in the first place. Although there are many people who choose not to abbreviate language, there are also texters who frequently shorten and misspell words in an attempt to get to the point. While some may believe that texting is corrupting the English language, it is important to remember that people were shortening the English language years before the invention of the text message.
Crystal makes the point that abbreviations have been used for years in the English language. According to Crystal, “Eric Patridge published his Dictionary of Abbreviations in 1942. It contained dozens of SMS-looking examples, such as agn ‘again,’ mth ‘month,’ and gd ‘good’-- 50 years before texting was born” (339). Crystal’s point is that abbreviated forms of writing used in text messages were used years before texting was even invented, so using abbreviations shouldn’t be a problem now. I agree with this point because shortcuts and abbreviations for English were invented as soon as language was written down. Schools used to have shorthand classes specifically for abbreviating. This shortening of words was invented for the use of relaying knowledge swiftly. Texting is a platform for sending messages quickly and effectively, and part of relaying a message quickly is to abbreviate words. Many people, however, worry about the effects of texting as children catch onto the texting trend. Crystal recognizes that a child's understanding and correct use of texting actually means they are most intellectual. In Crystal’s view, “. . . texting does not erode children’s ability to read and write. On the contrary, literacy improves” (345). In other words, Crystal believes that texting does not harm a child's capacity to read and write, but it effectively increases these abilities. In my opinion, Crystal is correct. Children must have a keen understanding for a basic literary skill set in order to be able to text. Children must understand the sounds different letters make in order to contort words into abbreviated or shortened messages. Children understand that abbreviated words are not used in traditional writing. In this way, children understand that there is a standard way to write. These children will not grow up unable to write in proper English because that is what they are taught before they learn to properly manipulate words in text messages. Even though texting seems like a new phenomenon in our culture, it really is just an evolution of abbreviated language our society has used over time. This is a main point David Crystal makes. In conclusion, Crystal makes valid points on the subject of texting in the article “2b or Not 2b?”. He explains the various uses of texting in our society such as crime solving, poem writing, and book writing. Furthermore, he elaborates how humans have used shortened language hundreds of years before texting was developed. Crystal is correct when stating that texting is not a danger to society because texters know they must be understood, abbreviations have been used for hundreds of years, and a child’s understanding of texting corresponds to their literary understanding. 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. 335-346. Print.