txting: the gr8 db8... Studies from renowned linguist, David Crystal

David Crystal, Honorary Professor of Linguistics at the University of Wales, Bangor, is fascinated by the debate on whether using text slang is leading to the degradation of the English language and stunting young people’s literacy skills. He’s written a book tackling the subject, with the aim of opening the minds of txting-naysayers.

So next time your mum / dad / teacher / colleague tries to diss txtspeak, hit ‘em with some of this info taken from Crystal’s book, txting: the gr8 db8…

Y ‘Texting actually improves your literacy, as it gives you more practice in reading and writing.’ David Crystal.

Y Crystal’s research shows that 90% of SMSs are written in normal, standard English.

Y Crystal and other linguists believe textspeak adds dimension and new dynamics to the English language, and suggest that it encourages creativity and wordplay.

Y Crystal also reminds us that abbreviating words has been around for centuries, and that poor literacy has been reported throughout the ages, and pre-dates texting.

Y ‘Emoticons allow another layer of expression, making the message more conversation-like.’ Dr Jean Mulder, linguist and senior lecturer at Melbourne University.

Y In studies from 2006-7 by Coventry University, pre-teenage children who were better at spelling and writing were found to use the most texting abbreviations.

Y The study also found that the younger the children received their first phone, the higher their literacy scores.

Wh@ r yr thoughts? WeRex txtspeak is c%L, coz it’s phun 2 play w/ words!

From Crystal, D. txting: the gr8 db8 New York, Oxford University Press 2008