As is the case when many technologies emerge, the debates that spring forth tend to fall to one side or the other. Moral, ethical, social, and religious concerns arise. However, there is one type of concern that I find not only interesting, but in a way disturbing. That is, the fear of the downfall of a tradition. With the dynamics, application, and purpose of technology changing year by year, and in some cases minute by minute, it is easy for generations to feel left behind from year to year, instead of from decade to decade. Some would say that it feels as if we struggle to keep up with the latest craze, or get an understanding of the newest technologies. However, most would agree that that is the nature of the age we live in – the “microwave” era – we need it hot and we need it now.” As newer technology arrives on the scene, they are targeted at the demographic of people who will readily buy it and accept their standards of use –teenagers and young adults
[...] So that leaves me with another question concerning instant messaging and texting young people. The studies show that the current writing of teenagers is actually better than it used to be. Could this be because their language choices are simpler? It is said that young people have limited vocabulary and use shorter words, due to their SMS practices. But is that actually a bad thing? Writing handbooks are constantly urging students to be more clear and concise in their writing. [...]
[...] A recent study conducted by linguists at the University of Toronto studied the instant messaging practices of 71 young people ages 15 to 20 years old. Researchers Derik Denis and Sali Tagliamonte found that teenagers are pulling from many linguistic resources available to them. In the instant messages they studied, teens fuse “written, spoken, formal and informal” to form a hybrid of creative and unique texts. For example, says Tagliomonte, in one instant message show tonight shall rock some serious the use of the formal beside very informal words shows an innovative mixture of the spoken and written elements of language. [...]
[...] Some scholars, professors and parents have fallen on the side of texting and instant messaging slowly destroying standards of English in today's youth. However, with as many valid reasons for regulating or rethinking the use of these systems, some feel there are as many reasons to embrace them. Although the naysayer of this new technology have valid reasons, there is not much backed up by empirical data. In fact, the data that is available shows the exact opposite that the technology is actually helping students write better. [...]
[...] We can decide to help students navigate through the formal academic world and their instant messaging and texting world, showing them that there are some places they can overlap and some places they probably should not. However, if we do not act soon we may find ourselves being flooded by something we have not taken the time to fully comprehend. Works Cited Alcoba, Natalie, and Melissa Leong. Researchers debunk messaging effect on language.” CanWest News Service; National Post August 2006.http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=02f8e558-ee89- 4f84-b2a6-48f0cff11b9a&k=74422 “Bane or Boon: The Impact of ‘Text Messaging' on Student Writing.” eSchool News Online February 2003. [...]
[...] Even at the freshman college level, she found that students who tried to communicate academic ideas often did so using their text and instant messaging lingo. some of them didn't seem to know it's not she said. Frustrated by the grammar and spelling errors she found it difficult to teach principles of writing outside of mechanics. (Friess, 2003). Along those same lines, some scholars simply feel that teenagers do not understand the difference between separating their informal use of language and their formal use of language, depending on the context. [...]
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