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Yes, young people sometimes accidentally slip a btw (by the way) into school essay.But a recent study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project confirms that middle school and high school students understand what kind of language is appropriate in what context. What's more, scholars of new media language, such as David Crystal and Beverly Plester, remind us that the new technologies encourage creativity, which can spill over into school writing.
My reaction:
I feel like texting and I.M.ing aren't so as bad as what some people make it out to be. I feel like the older generations are just stuck on books that they don't see that the same way books taught them is the same way technology teaches this generation. Even thought this generation slips a couple btw's in there essays i feel like its a better way to catch their mistakes. I know when I'm typing a paper and accidentally put slang in them, i make sure to go back and reread my essay to make sure my spelling, grammar, and punctuation is right. So I think isn't write i think it help students in this generation to concentrate on their spelling and grammar skills.
Students/ Friends i saw texting while writing papers for classes.
Much Love -
A.Lee
I agree with you! I feel like our language changing isn't a bad thing, I feel that texting and social networking is actually helping our language skills! This is the 21st century, we need to embrace this new technology. I also feel adults shouldn't shy away from it and say negative things about it.
ReplyDeleteI think that the result of the study that you refer to in your quote supports that the digital generation understands the difference between informal and formal writing. I also think that students want to please their instructor (and of course, make a good grade on their assignment) so, if the instructor allows a few abbreviations here and there, the students will not write in such a formal style. On the other hand, if a formal APA style is expected, then students will follow the correct format. Since texting is something that is done quickly, a faster method of communication has evolved. In order to get your message out quicker, many abbreviations have been adopted. I feel that some people who do not text simply feel intimidated because they really do not understand this “new” language such as “btw”. The more abbreviations are used, the more likely they are to become part of our language and culture. Who knows, maybe someday we will see “btw” appear in a revised version of Webster’s Dictionary!
ReplyDeleteI feel like the evolution of a language is necessary for a culture to progress. Think about all of the words that people come up with every single day that we don't understand, but use technology to find out what they mean. This reminds me of when I was in high school and had to read a side-by-side version of "The Canterbury Tales" with one page in Old English and the other in contemporary English--even there we can see great jumps in the progression of English. Maybe today's slang is the beginning of another evolution of English?
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