Report: Text messaging harms written language

[sleipnir214]

The frequency of errors in grammar and punctuation has become a serious concern, [Ireland's] State Examination Commission said in a report after reviewing last year's exam performance by 15-year-olds."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/04/26/ireland.text.message.reut/index.html

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[pinkgecko]

I wonder how much of it is text messaging, and how much of it is the amount of TV and video games kids are involved with instead of reading. I think reading is where you develop proper grammar, not by listening to someone (which text messaging is replacing). So text messaging doesn't help, but I don't think it's the root of the problem.

[blue]Never listen to your customers. They were dumb enough to buy your product, so they have no credibility. - Dogbert[/blue]

 

[jebenson]

And now for other late-breaking news: Jumping in a lake will get you wet.

More on this story as it develops...



I used to rock and roll every night and party every day. Then it was every other day. Now I'm lucky if I can find 30 minutes a week in which to get funky. - Homer Simpson

Arrrr, mateys! Ye needs ta be preparin' yerselves fer Talk Like a Pirate Day!

 

[SantaMufasa]

Text messaging doesn't have to harm written language...A 13-year-old Pennsylvania schoolgirl was able to type the following 150-character Mary Poppins lyrics (without any grammatical or spelling errors) in a blazing 42 seconds:

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocios! Even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious. If you say it loud enough you`ll always sound precocious.

You can read more about her win at FYI, 13yo skool grl is nu US txt mssg chmpN.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]

 

[Chance1234]

Harms or evolves ?

Chance,

Filmmaker, gentleman and polla stilo eleous

 

[CajunCenturion]

==> Harms or evolves ?
Both.

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[gbaughma]

You know, I was reading an article (can't find it) that said just the opposite.

Kids know the difference between text "speech" and regular "speech", and when it's appropriate.

I guess any study can be swayed to find what you're looking for.



Just my 2¢
-ARRGH! All my clothes are wrinkled! Oh, the irony!

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[Skie]

Shouldn't schools be held accountable for an increase in errors of grammar and punctuation?

 

[SantaMufasa]

Skie,

How do you propose that we hold schools accountable for anything? What penalty do you suggest if a school does not satisfactorily equip a student with vital knowledge (no to mention, wisdom)?

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]

 

[Lunatic]

Also...

Which is more important to a 12 year old? Receiving an A is English or being able to text friends rapidly?

Which has the greater appeal to the student? It isn't simply a case of the school system not working.

***************************************
Have a problem with my spelling or grammar? Please refer all complaints to my English teacher:
Ralphy "Me fail English? That's unpossible." Wiggum

 

[Skie]

Mufasa,

I wouldn't penalize the school. Are there penalties that would help or improve education? There's none that I can think of off-hand. But, there are a lot of ways the education system could be improved - smaller class sizes, offering different teaching methods, and actual year round school.

Receiving an A, in any K1 through G12, subject is incredibly easy if you understand what's being taught. There are students who are failing a class, go to somewhere like Sylvan, and become A students because they finally understand. I don't think they brainwash the kids to care more about an A in English than text messaging.

 

[SantaMufasa]

Aficionados of shorthand (in a secretarial sense) certainly understand the differences between their art/skill and that art/skill of long-hand writing. They also understand that there are proper venues for each skill:

One skilled in both shorthand and longhand knows that it is inappropriate to use shorthand for submitting an English term paper; s/he would also know that it is inappropriate to use longhand when attempting to take dictation from a speaker.

Thoughtful users understand the appropriate venues for "Txt Spk" and they understand when "Txt Spk" is inappropriate. If someone uses an inappropriate communication mode, then they are not being thoughtful. A thoughtless use of a communication mode does not (necessarily) mean that the user is unskilled in or, or ignorant of, the appropriate mode.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]

 

[pinkgecko]

A thoughtless use of a communication mode does not (necessarily) mean that the user is unskilled in or, or ignorant of, the appropriate mode.

I definitely agree with that. I game online, and am fairly well versed in the jargon used there. But I have also read enough and written enough to be able to communicate my thoughts in a more formal manner without constant distractions due to mispelling, bad grammar, etc. I'm not claiming perfection, just adequacy.

I would like to reiterate my point that what kids do isn't the problem. Kids always have hobbies that seem detremental to education. it's what kids do not do - read enough literature with proper grammar and spelling to gain an understanding of how language works.

I haven't met anyone who is eloquent either verbally or vocally that hates books and won't read them. I've met several that were adequate, but not eloquent - and if the best are adequate, you can see where that leaves the rest...

[blue]Never listen to your customers. They were dumb enough to buy your product, so they have no credibility. - Dogbert[/blue]

 

[SantaMufasa]

I haven't met anyone who is eloquent either verbally or vocally that hates books and won't read them.

PG, Others have suggested that I possess a certain written and spoken eloquence. Client companies pay me to teach their personnel how to write and speak with a high degree of precision and excellence.


I certainly do not hate books, but I have not read a book (besides technical manuals), from front cover to back cover, since my high school days (some 37 years ago). I am, in no way, attempting to excuse myself for not curling up around a good piece of literature, but I am suggesting that one can have a decent command of the English language and speak and write with fluency, without the (constant) exposure to literature.

Interestingly enough, there were works of highly esteemed authors, works which my English teachers asserted were examples of fine literature, that exhibited poor mechanics of the English language, less-than-lucid prose, and deficient logic.

I have always resented the notion that just because a writer ends up on a "Best Seller" list, that s/he is a de facto "Great Writer".

I believe that English teachers would far better serve their students, insofar as learning English literacy is concerned, if the teachers:

1) teach proper mechanics of English (e.g., good puncuation; good grammar; proper sentence structure; and good understanding of parts of speech, verb conjugation and tenses, and proper usage),

2) teach effective, logical writing techniques,

3) present both examples of "good" writing and "bad" writing from literature, without disclosing which is which, then have the students pick apart each literary work for its mechanics, logic, and effectiveness.

It is unbelievable to me how many of my "Precision Writing" students, who have college degrees in English or Literature, fail the class's pre-test on the mechanics of the English language.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]

 

[CajunCenturion]

==> 1) teach proper mechanics of English (e.g., good puncuation; ...
I agree, and I'll bet SilentAiche does too.



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[SantaMufasa]

Haven't you ever heard of a Silent "T", Punc? <grin>

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]

 

[gbaughma]

No, but I've heard of a silent "p", like Pteradon, or the "p" in shower. ;-)



Just my 2¢
-ARRGH! All my clothes are wrinkled! Oh, the irony!

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[Welshbird]

One of chums who is a teacher has always maintained that improving your writing skills (in terms of language, spelling and handwriting/typing as a skill) happens when you write, not when you read.

So I'd agree Dave!

Fee

The question should be [red]Is it worth trying to do?[/red] not [blue] Can it be done?[/blue]

 

[Lunatic]

Ooohhh...

Santa... Do you have a sample of your Precision Writing classes' pre-test? I'd like to see how badly I'd fail ;-p

***************************************
Have a problem with my spelling or grammar? Please refer all complaints to my English teacher:
Ralphy "Me fail English? That's unpossible." Wiggum

 

[Grenage]

I have always resented the notion that just because a writer ends up on a "Best Seller" list, that s/he is a de facto "Great Writer".

I think "The Da Vinci Code" proves that particular point.

Carlsberg don't run I.T departments, but if they did they'd probably be more fun.