Slang? Maybe Not Such A Bad Thing
Mar 20, 2007
Thumbs—they’re good for more than just hitchhiking.
Teens these days do not use their thumbs for hitching rides on the side of the road. They use their thumbs to text rapid-fast messages to their friends on their cellphones. But, because keypads on cellphones are so tiny and typically thumbs are not, and each number key represents multiple letters, the tight maneuvering can lead to quite a few spelling mistakes.
Mistakes that can lead to hilarity—and to neologisms.
That’s right. The rapid-fast world of text-messaging has lead to the coining of new words. Well, new slang words.
For instance, did you know that pwn means own and that noobs means newbies?
But how can a spelling mistake become a word added to our common lexicon? It has to do with staying power. And these days a slang word is more likely than ever before to stick around. That’s because of where the slang is being used—in the cybersphere—it has more chances to reach across age groups, demographics, cultures, and societies. It can permeate. It can get picked up in the main stream and suddenly, what was once a spelling mistake can now be overheard in conversations on the street being held by parents, business professionals and even grandparents.
But do we have to worry about how slang and short forms is affecting teens’ language development? Not if they are able to use whole forms and demonstrate complete and competent language skills in they areas that need to, like in proper speech or on an essay.
This viewpoint on teens and text-messaging is a departure from our opinion of text messaging and language development in children who are in the lower-level grades and who are still are acquiring their language skills. (Read Texting versus Writing)
According to Katherine Barber of the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, the fact that teens are developing new slang words is a good thing. “If the kids are picking up new words and new meanings then that means that they're playing with the language,” she says.
Spelling mistakes and the slang words that develop from rapid-fast thumb texting mean that kids are thinking about words, spelling and meaning, and that teens are playing an active role in language development.
Teens thinking about language and new words? They deserve two thumbs up.
Content for this Blog post from an article that originally appeared in the London Free Press Sunday Feb. 18, 2007 called Thumb Typists Reshape Language by Dean Bennett.
Comments(12)
Find this article online at: www.oxfordlearning.com/letstalk/2007/mar/20/slang-maybe-not-a-bad-thing/
Mrs Sue Tolley - Mar 23, 2007
I recently applied for a position in Mississuagua, and discovered that my internation qualification was no longer recognised and there for the position that I was offered was withdrawn.
I have discovered through the ACECO that with the 'Directors Aproval' that I could indeed of worked for the Oxford Early Learning Centre. ( or any child care environment) I am in the process of going through the equivalency applications.
I know the job is probably filled now but this is some thing you should consider if someone else applies with out the Ontario ECE qualification.
Sue
Tom Hawks - Apr 3, 2007
An interesting view on how texting could be adding to the language. I do have some concern that our teens, for whom texting and instant messaging are their predominent communication modes, will not develop and exercise good, gramatically correct, well organized writing skills. But I guess they will at least learn to be net and to the point. This will probably be an asset in the fast paced business communications world of the future.
Courtney B. - May 23, 2007
I too find this topic to be quite interesting. This is actually the topic I studied for my undergraduate research in university a few years ago, so it is so neat to read other articles and opinions. Like Tom, I too have concerns about our students not developing and utilizing correct spelling and grammar. Or simply becoming lazy with the development of these new slang words. I have encountered a number of young students who use IM vocabulary in their school work, which to me seems unacceptable. While the IM short forms are great for cell phones and texting, I agree that it is important for students to be able to demonstrate their understanding of correct grammar and spelling.
Nina Sculler, Oxford Learning Manalapan - May 25, 2007
I don't think texting has anything to do with the grammar the children use. In the U.S., our grammar skills are dwindling. Many of our teachers do not correct grammatical mistakes on writing assignments because they do not practice good grammar skills themselves. Children will also mimick parents who are immigrants and do not know the grammar rules, or who are ignorant and have not learned English grammar.
The media poses yet another problem. Reality TV rarely has personalities speaking grammatically correct English. The music children listen to reinforces bad grammar, as well. Situation comedies are no better. In the movie, "My Fair Lady", Professor Higgins asks the question, "Why can't the English teach their children how to speak?" One could ask the same of the parents here.
Nancy W. , Randolph New Jersey - Jul 26, 2007
As a mother in Randolph, I have been very concerned about my daughter's use of texting and instant messaging since its inception. We are so quick in U.S. education to find blame in anything but ourselves and our school systems.
I am constantly intrigued by her use of language as well as the style of conversation she carries within her circle of friends. Yet, when I read her papers for school or review her homework, I am aggrevated by the poor grammar skill before me.
After research, I was surprised to find that Randolph as well as many other schools in the U.S. have reduced the amount of grammar in grade school and middle school curriculums if not removed it completely.
I am sure that tomorrow's world of communication will remain adaptive through the rapid technological advancements that are sure to come. I applaud Oxford Learning for noting the creative and explorative nature as today's generation forms its own coloquialisms through the use of language.
MK - Nov 28, 2007
As a student, I personally believe that slang words have numerous negative affects towards how young individuals interact with one another and as well as it causes their writing skills to become weak. Their ability to be able to do written work at school seems to affect the way they are portrayed by teachers, and even by their employers and managers in the working feild.
Desseree Harmon - Mar 13, 2008
Yo i love textingggggg*!
Whooo Hoooo!
:]]
D Mickle - Mar 30, 2008
I do not wish to upset anyone, but as I read these answers, I noticed that none of them was without error, in either grammar or spelling. (There was one I thought to be error-free until I noticed that she had incorrectly spelled 'mimic'.) My point is that many people seem to be suffering from the same problem.
I went to school in the 50's and early 60's. It appears that my generation must have spent more time on spelling words and grammatical usage than the current ones. Words are how we communicate ideas with each other. Use of improper grammar or misspellings lead to misunderstandings.
I really hope that the basic laziness on the part of teachers subsides, but I feel the source of this problem is the modern feeling that we should not offend someone because they get things wrong.
When we were wrong, we were told that we were wrong and fixed it next time. It didn't psychologically damage us, or ruin our lives. It made us better people. I think "Dr. Spock" manner of thinking was perhaps the greatest detriment to the American culture since the beginning of this country.
I took a shot at all the prior posts, so if I have made spelling or grammatical errors, please tell me. I will appreciate it.
D Mickle - Mar 30, 2008
Upon rereading my own post, I noticed that while not essential, "Dr. Spock" really should have had the article "the" in front of it. There is no way to correct posts, so it appears I am stuck with it.
mr rojas - Apr 24, 2008
Please teach me every text message slang word there is to know.I want to text message
YoMama - May 27, 2008
yo. u all so flyy
Yasmine Gleaver - Jun 2, 2008
Yo.i luv txtin it's wel fun and quick and easy ... It didn't evn tke a min 2 type dis in man.
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