In David Crystal’s essay “2b or Not 2b?” the author starts off with this quote by John Humphrys labeling texters as “vandals who are doing to our language what Genghis Khan did to his neighbours 800 years ago. They are destroying it: pillaging our punctuation; savaging our sentences; raping our vocabulary. And they must be stopped.” (335). what Humphrys says describes how many others feel about the evolution and rise of texting. Crystal introduces another disciple of the anti-texting movement, John Sutherland, and even quotes Sutherland’s work in way of stating that texting is just a lethargic disguise for learning disabilities, poor grammar and spelling, and illiterate people. One would think that Crystal’s essay is going in favor of the …show more content…
He also points out that this “linguistic phenomenon” has aroused more feelings than any other in less than a decade from which this essay was written in 2008. Crystal then goes on to say how popular beliefs towards texting are wrong. He does this by revealing that it is just another few “ripples on the surface of the sea of language.”(337). Crystal continues this idea stating that even though linguistic rules are being broken while texting, more often than not, people still need to have an understanding and comprehend said rules in order for text messages to still make sense. For example, one American study, “less than 20% of the text messages looked at showed abbreviated forms of any kind- about three per message.” (338). this supports Crystal’s position and shows that text messaging has not corrupted and irreparably damaged the English language. Another example of how texting is not a hindrance to the English language is the Dictionary of Abbreviations published by Eric Patridge in 1942. The dictionary was written over 60 years before texting and still holds relevance now. Crystal brings up these examples to show the reader that even though texting is a newer process of communicating and using the English language, some of the methods used have been around for many, …show more content…
One reason I agree with David Crystal’s assessment on the texting movement just being a passage in time because people felt reluctance to embrace email as well. Being an avid texter, I love the fact that I have the option to be as formal or as informal as I want, and have others respond the same. Texting is just another quick and easy way for people to express themselves, and will continue to be until something else comes along that society deems to be the next big break in the English language. Expressing oneself always runs the risk of being criticized by others, yet people still do so just to keep that sense of individuality with texting being just one example of many. My final thoughts on how texting is just another change in the English language is with a quote from T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets “For last year’s words belong to last year’s language And next year’s words wait another
Naomi Baron, a linguistics professor at American University, believes that texting is harming students writing. She states, “So much of American society has become sloppy and laissez faire about the mechanics of writing” (131). The author used this quote to drawl in the teachers who believe texting is harming students writing. Cullington goal is to make them continue reading and learn how she believes texting is actually beneficial. By putting the opposing view point of texting affecting writing in the beginning, is confusing to the target audience.
Elizabeth Bernstein’s “Big Words are Fading, But Many People Still love Them” uses intentional diction and syntax to emphasize Bernstein’s bias. More specifically, colloquial diction, negative connotations, and various syntactic structures aid the author in achieving her purpose. Bernstein effectively conveys her meaning through the use of varied diction. Her ultimate bias is technology’s hinderance on people’s everyday vocabulary, and her love for big words suggests disapproval in their gradual disappearance.
Today, texting has become the most widely used communication technique for teenagers and young adults. It is written in completely informal language and it has no literature value in it. Although the critics believe texting is destroying literature value, McWhorter has another opinion in mind. McWhorter thinks that texting is another form of language that is developed by teenagers. It is the creation of a brand new language evolving from the old literature.
Although some teachers advocate texting helps students’ writing, Cullington provides details to show that it hinders formal prose. Cullington starts her paper by opening it up to draw the reader’s attention by asking “Does Texting Affect Writing?” and, in fact, does texting affect writing is her title. In her first paragraph, she answers the rhetorical question by defining
In her essay "Does Texting Affect Writing?", Michaela Cullington presents her argument that texting does not impact formal writing written by students. She discusses the concerns presented by many people about how texting language can transfer into writing, but through the use of personal experiences and credible sources she discusses how this is not true. Her use of multiple different studies and situations help boost her argument and allow the reader to truly see how students actually do formal writing. She presents a strong argument as to why those who believe students don't have the control and knowledge to write formally, instead of with text speak, are wrong.
Are texters all over the universe demolishing the English Language? In John Humphrys’ “I h8 txt msgs: How texting is wrecking our language” he argues that texters all over the world, and beyond, are destroying the language that we once knew and loved simply because society is looking for a quicker and easier way to do things. In the article, Humphrys also brings to many reader’s attention that everyone is gradually partaking in the use of text language, despite their intentions. In the article he uses logical evidence and facts to prove his argument, he also appears trustworthy by being open minded, and additionally is able to connect with the readers emotionally; by doing this he is convincing the readers that they can find satisfaction by using a dictionary and not falling
Cullington after summarizing her research and having said both sides of opinions about texting affecting writing, she used the results as evidence of why Cullington disagreed that texting has no effect in writing. “On the basis of my own research, experts research, and personal observations, I can confidently state that texting is not interfering with student’s use of standards written English…” (Cullington 370). As you can see she used the strategy of disagreeing but with an explanation and summarized what her discoveries were. Cullington also agreed that texting is used on an everyday basis and at every moment that is possible. To agree to this Cullington included her own personal experience as a reference that texting effectively is used anywhere at any
For instance, the author argues that, at times, even American English differs at some point from British English. Not that they are not speaking the correct language, but it differs in meaning, which implies that no one can claim to be perfect or articulate in one language, particularly if it is widely shared, like English. Therefore, the author of this text highlights that people should use language to suit their needs. For instance, the language should be inclusive, even if it is broken English, as long as it meets the required meaning or purpose. Thus, it brings out that the primary function of language is communication, and the language was chosen to fit the context in which it has to be applied.
All of these factors combine and work well together to form a well-executed argument within Cullington’s essay. Cullington begins her essay by addressing her opposition: “It’s taking over our lives” (pg. 361). She cites studies done that suggest that a decline in the quality of students’ formal writing has occurred since the advent of text messaging, and she also cites teachers who believe that their own students’ works are influenced for the worse by the students’ being accustomed to texting and using textspeak. Cullington then proposes her opposing position that the writing of students is unaffected by their use of texting and text speak. She also cites studies that support her thesis that text messaging and textspeak do not have an effect on
However some language teachers are refusing the ban mobile phones, because they too see that while texting can have its negative side, its benefits over rule this. Some teachers are now recognizing texting as :a new form of communication is taking charge of the linguistic sphere.” While some teachers are accepting this form of language they do admit it is going to create more challenges for teaching and learning as well as new opportunities.” 2 When textisms appear in formal assignments, it provides an opportunity to bring up this issue in a classroom setting to allow students to voice their opinion on this growing controversy. There is nothing new about the roles teachers play in correcting mistakes as well as preventing them in formal writing, however it has now been proven that texting and instant messaging cannot be at fault for these specific
Often people’s opinions are based upon what their peers think, but in this story it’s about viewing things as they genuinely are. I consider the quote “Do not become a slave to society” to convey this theme well because it’s basically telling you to not go along with what everyone else believes, and to be your own person. In “2BR02B” Kurt Vonnegut uses imagery and external conflict to convey the theme view things as they are, no as you perceive them. Vonnegut uses external conflict in this story to build upon the idea that you should view things as they are not as everyone perceives them.
“To be or not to be” is one of Shakespears most line. Almost everyone has heard it said before. The story “2BRØ2B”, by Kurt Vonnegut’s this in a very abriviated way. The story is about an almost perfect world with no crime, no war, no cripples, and many other bad things that take place in society today. The biggest positive is that there is no more aging and people can live forever if they wanted to.
Kurt Vonnegut in “2BRO2B” introduces a nearly perfect world controlled by the government, a world with no prison, poverty, wars or diseases. People no longer grow older due to new drugs, and for new babies to live, adults have to volunteer to die. In the short story Kurt uses Sentiment and reality to reveal the personality of the specific character. Sentiment can be defined as a feeling of emotion. Reality is the way things actually exist.
Sometimes people forget that there are often many flaws in seemingly perfect things. They imagine perfection, but there will still be many factors that were overlooked. The author of “2BR02B”, Kurt Vonnegut, realizes that perfection will never be achieved. Even in the far future when there are many new, helpful innovations and perfection will be strived for, it is not obtainable. Through Vonnegut’s use of setting and symbolism, it is evident that he feels that there will always be flaws.
In the novel “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg, Duhigg takes a deep look into everything involved with habit: how habits are created, how habits work, and mainly how to change habits. Habits involve a three step loop: cue, routine, and reward. This habit loop is constant, and very hard to break if one does not understand their cue and reward. One habit that is slowly taking over our country is the habit to pull out one’s phone or tablet during an awkward situation or as a way to avoid communication with people in the real world. The use of technology has become a part of everyone’s daily life so many people fail to realize how much their phone posses them, and the negative affects the phone brings.