Texting has for a long time been blamed for the faults in today's use of the English language, but should it really be held responsible? It has been argued that texting is having a major impact on the way young people today communicate as they're replacing Standard English with a vast combination of phrases and sayings. For some reason this appears to worry some people, however they are failing to see the reality of the situation - no one speaks like they text (well at least they shouldn't).
Our vocabularies are constantly growing and have been for thousands of years so why are we punishing the further production of more words or sayings? Take LOL for example. The abbreviation LOL has been around for years but its definition is constantly evolving. It initially meant 'laughing out loud' (or 'lots of love' if you're over 40) but today it is used in a very different way and is rarely used to indicate humour. LOL has matured into an indicator of sympathy between texters. Here's an example:
Tom texts: ''what u doin??''
Kate texts: ''doing homework lol:(''
Tom texts: ''aww lol''
It is evident from these messages that the activity of doing homework is not amusing in any way, shape, or form. So LOL has been used as a way to make a message seem less serious as otherwise it is very difficult to understand the meaning/tone behind someone's message if they fail to indicate what they mean exactly; hence why Emojis are so popular.
The majority of texts sent from young people to young people are very short and mainly only consist of a few words or phrases, therefore they can come across as blunt or abrupt without intending to. Emojis fix this issues as there is a plethora of emoticons to send that are fit for any situation. It is even possible to have a full conversation using just emojis as each one has developed its own specific definition that is universally known. Emojis are essentially their own language that is 'spoken' by thousands of people daily. Emojis are the equivalent of the short hand language used when taking notes during writing. Symbols and abbreviations used in subject specific or general writing are used to make the most of the time given to write and Emojis are the same (or at least very similar). Texts are a quick way of communicating with someone so Emojis maximise the efficiency of texts as one little picture can say a lot.
Granted, all these things are used in written communication but they are rarely, if ever, used in spoken language. I can gladly admit that I have never heard anyone say ''happy face Emoji'' or ''cookie Emoji'' aloud and I highly doubt I will ever hear this. Overall, it's unlikely that text speak will ever majorly affect spoken language, whether it's negative or not. I believe we should praise text language as it's encouraging young people to explore words and sayings and is producing a wide variety of new terms to be welcomed to the English language.
Tuesday, 20 October 2015
Thursday, 15 October 2015
COMPARING MODES OF COMMUNICATION
The way we communicate via technology varies dependent on whom we are talking to and how we are talking to them. For example, if you were to compare the register of a text message or tweet you would find it is very different to that of a phone call.
Many of us use texts as a way to quickly communicate with someone as it is easy and there are many linguistic techniques you can use to make the most out of their efficiency. For example: abbreviations such as 'lol', 'brb' and 'wuu2' have been specifically designed to save time and still get the point across. Although these letter combinations are commonly seen all over the internet it is highly unlikely that they would ever feature in an email. Emails typically have a much more formal register and are typically fully punctuated and written using correct grammar.
However if you were to compare text messages and phone calls you'd be surprised by the similarities. As we've established, people tend not to use standard grammar or punctuation in text messages and this is due to the way we use texts. People usually write texts as though they were to be speaking them. This leads to the lack of full stops or correct grammar as it's not what we tend to think of when we speak. No one speaks in fully though out sentences, we all talk following a more disjointed structure and texts also do so.
Many of us use texts as a way to quickly communicate with someone as it is easy and there are many linguistic techniques you can use to make the most out of their efficiency. For example: abbreviations such as 'lol', 'brb' and 'wuu2' have been specifically designed to save time and still get the point across. Although these letter combinations are commonly seen all over the internet it is highly unlikely that they would ever feature in an email. Emails typically have a much more formal register and are typically fully punctuated and written using correct grammar.
However if you were to compare text messages and phone calls you'd be surprised by the similarities. As we've established, people tend not to use standard grammar or punctuation in text messages and this is due to the way we use texts. People usually write texts as though they were to be speaking them. This leads to the lack of full stops or correct grammar as it's not what we tend to think of when we speak. No one speaks in fully though out sentences, we all talk following a more disjointed structure and texts also do so.
Wednesday, 14 October 2015
TED TALKS: TEXTING
MAIN POINTS:
*Texting and writing are not the same thing
*Speech is much more telegraphic
*People don't speak like they write and don't write like they speak
*Texting is loose in structure - no one fully punctuates or uses perfect grammar
*Texting is ''fingered speech''
*'lol' has developed into a pragmatic particle
*'slash' is used as a way to divert the conversation topi
*Texting is a new language developed by young people
OPINION OF SPEAKER:
*He states at the end of his speech that the development of slang and texting language is a 'linguistic miracle'
*He believes that the new language being formed is astounding and isn't getting enough credit as it is seen as 'mundane'
MY OPINION:
*I agree that text speak is an amazing concept and that it isn't appreciated enough. Abbreviations have been used throughout time and it's only now that they're being recognized as having a major impact on language.
*Texting is simply another form of communication as is speaking and writing.
Wednesday, 7 October 2015
OPINION ARTICLE: CHANGING ACCENTS
Most people in England speak English, but depending where you are in England it can sound like you're speaking a completely different language. This, in effect, causes a 'dialect barrier' and leads to people disguising their true accents. Whether this is due to insecurity or a sub-conscious decision, we all do it. Some of us change our voices around children, some of us change our voices around different friendship circles and some of us change our voices when we answer the phone; although these examples seem harmless a lot of people believe they can have negative consequences.
''Hello?''- this is typically how most of us answer the phone. But is this how we would greet our friends or family members if they called us? We want to give off a friendly vibe or make a good first impression on the phone if we are being called by an unknown number, as it could be someone important. What if you answered a serious phone call from your boss by saying 'sup?' (embarrassing, right?) It all relates back to self-consciousness and wanting to fit in with the majority. People make assumptions about a person based on their accent. Typically someone who speaks the Queen's English is viewed as more intelligent than someone with a thick regional accent. Although this is completely untrue it's what some assume.
''Hello?''- this is typically how most of us answer the phone. But is this how we would greet our friends or family members if they called us? We want to give off a friendly vibe or make a good first impression on the phone if we are being called by an unknown number, as it could be someone important. What if you answered a serious phone call from your boss by saying 'sup?' (embarrassing, right?) It all relates back to self-consciousness and wanting to fit in with the majority. People make assumptions about a person based on their accent. Typically someone who speaks the Queen's English is viewed as more intelligent than someone with a thick regional accent. Although this is completely untrue it's what some assume.
Thursday, 1 October 2015
THE GUARDIAN VS THE DAILY MAIL: DIFFERENCES
Asyndetic listing, subject specific lexis, rhetorical questions. These are all examples of techniques used by both the Guardian and the Daily Mail. Although they use a range of features in similar ways, there are a few subtle differences.
Both articles provide the audience with additional information however they do this in varying ways. The article from the Guardian provides hyperlinks to other texts featuring extended information on the topic highlighted. This makes it easy for the audience to familiarize themselves with the subject so they fully comprehend the views being presented to them by the Guardian. However the Daily Mail chooses to convey additional facts via statistics and numerical data. For example 'some 57%...' or 'YouGov found that 45%...' This shows they are looking at the situation logically rather than considering emotions and taking into account the trauma causes; this clearly reflects the argument.
The Guardian article features inverted commas throughout and uses them to infer sarcasm or to condescend the views of the opposition. For example when listing the labels that are used to describe the 'migrants', such as: ''displaced people'', ''illegal asylum seekers'' and ''economic migrants''. This linguistic technique has been used to make the opposing left wing views appear more negative. This demonstrates the juxtaposition between their opinions and manipulates the audiences perspective to make the Guardian appear positive and in the right.
Both articles provide the audience with additional information however they do this in varying ways. The article from the Guardian provides hyperlinks to other texts featuring extended information on the topic highlighted. This makes it easy for the audience to familiarize themselves with the subject so they fully comprehend the views being presented to them by the Guardian. However the Daily Mail chooses to convey additional facts via statistics and numerical data. For example 'some 57%...' or 'YouGov found that 45%...' This shows they are looking at the situation logically rather than considering emotions and taking into account the trauma causes; this clearly reflects the argument.
The Guardian article features inverted commas throughout and uses them to infer sarcasm or to condescend the views of the opposition. For example when listing the labels that are used to describe the 'migrants', such as: ''displaced people'', ''illegal asylum seekers'' and ''economic migrants''. This linguistic technique has been used to make the opposing left wing views appear more negative. This demonstrates the juxtaposition between their opinions and manipulates the audiences perspective to make the Guardian appear positive and in the right.
Wednesday, 16 September 2015
TRAVEL WRITING VS. BLOG POSTS
Both travel writing and blog posts have a similar purpose, to entertain an audience. Although they have the same goal, they are completely different and both have very different tones. I've compared the blog of 'beauty-guru' Zoella to a travel writing piece written by Lindy Van den Boomen about Turkey (http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/sep/13/turkey-beach).
Zoella is a beauty blogger and Youtuber who posts about anything ranging between the newest range of cosmetics to a personal experience that may inspire her younger audience. Her blog is very informal and she commonly nicknames her audience 'internet buddies'. This creates a closer relationship between reader and writer and makes you feel involved. Travel writing however, scarcely uses colloquialisms or slang as it is a bit more serious. People read travel writing to hear opinions and descriptions of places, people and feelings towards a place, so travel writing pieces are typically full of adjectives. 'Intimacy', 'luxury' and 'serenity' are common themes discussed in travel writing as they serve a purpose to entertain and potentially persuade others to experience it for themselves.
Whether it's a motivating story to inspire young girls or a detailed description of the ocean, both texts relay experiences in the hope that their audiences will emulate them. Zoella has millions of followers and they all see her as a friendly figure. She displays this welcoming and polite attitude on her blog by not using taboo language but keeping an informal register. It is likely that swearing would offend some audience members and as the majority of them are so young; it would be inappropriate and could ruin her 'role-model' status. Travel writing also avoids the use of expletives as they wouldn't benefit the tone of the text. Drama is added to travel writing purely through the use of similes, metaphors and imagery. All these techniques bring the reader closer to the writer as if used effectively they can make the audience feel as though they are in the setting described.
Persuasion plays a role in a lot of travel writing, even if it's unintentional. The author of travel writing may simply describe a popular place, however it is then likely they have influenced the reader to want to visit. Travel writing can either 'sell' a place or give it a bad review and this effects the opinions of the reader. On the other hand, Zoella aims to entertain her audience with her blog as well as educate. A lot of her posts are beauty related and are full of subject specific lexis but she also gives advice and a lot of her posts feature a moral. This also creates a closer reader-writer relationship as her audience then look to her for guidance on a range of subjects and issues. She also leaves questions at the end of each post for her audience. They could be anything from 'what are you looking forward to next year?' to 'what's your favourite fall outfit?'. She occasionally places a question at the beginning of a post as a slight adjacency pair. This means that the blog post to follow will carry on the 'laid-back conversation' style.
Overall, the audience for travel writing seek out posts that will make them imagine and take them to the place being described, however the audience for Zoella's blog are looking for a close relationship and role-model that they can share entertaining posts with.
Zoella is a beauty blogger and Youtuber who posts about anything ranging between the newest range of cosmetics to a personal experience that may inspire her younger audience. Her blog is very informal and she commonly nicknames her audience 'internet buddies'. This creates a closer relationship between reader and writer and makes you feel involved. Travel writing however, scarcely uses colloquialisms or slang as it is a bit more serious. People read travel writing to hear opinions and descriptions of places, people and feelings towards a place, so travel writing pieces are typically full of adjectives. 'Intimacy', 'luxury' and 'serenity' are common themes discussed in travel writing as they serve a purpose to entertain and potentially persuade others to experience it for themselves.
Whether it's a motivating story to inspire young girls or a detailed description of the ocean, both texts relay experiences in the hope that their audiences will emulate them. Zoella has millions of followers and they all see her as a friendly figure. She displays this welcoming and polite attitude on her blog by not using taboo language but keeping an informal register. It is likely that swearing would offend some audience members and as the majority of them are so young; it would be inappropriate and could ruin her 'role-model' status. Travel writing also avoids the use of expletives as they wouldn't benefit the tone of the text. Drama is added to travel writing purely through the use of similes, metaphors and imagery. All these techniques bring the reader closer to the writer as if used effectively they can make the audience feel as though they are in the setting described.
Persuasion plays a role in a lot of travel writing, even if it's unintentional. The author of travel writing may simply describe a popular place, however it is then likely they have influenced the reader to want to visit. Travel writing can either 'sell' a place or give it a bad review and this effects the opinions of the reader. On the other hand, Zoella aims to entertain her audience with her blog as well as educate. A lot of her posts are beauty related and are full of subject specific lexis but she also gives advice and a lot of her posts feature a moral. This also creates a closer reader-writer relationship as her audience then look to her for guidance on a range of subjects and issues. She also leaves questions at the end of each post for her audience. They could be anything from 'what are you looking forward to next year?' to 'what's your favourite fall outfit?'. She occasionally places a question at the beginning of a post as a slight adjacency pair. This means that the blog post to follow will carry on the 'laid-back conversation' style.
Overall, the audience for travel writing seek out posts that will make them imagine and take them to the place being described, however the audience for Zoella's blog are looking for a close relationship and role-model that they can share entertaining posts with.
Tuesday, 15 September 2015
BILL BRYSON - NOTES FROM A SMALL ISLAND
Bill Bryson's 'notes from a small island' is an adjective packed piece of travel writing. Bryson uses subject specific language to convey his knowledge of travelling and to entice the reader. He doesn't use colloquial language as he wants to come across as professional to the reader and when giving opinions slang is rarely used. This tells us that his audience is mainly adult as this type of text is unlikely to appeal to a younger audience, especially if a formal register is used throughout. Bryson uses words such as 'dazzling' and 'wobbling' to paint an image in the readers minds. This is also used to create a closer relationship between the reader and writer as the reader can feel as though they are they experiencing things with the writer.
Another way Bryson makes the audience feel personally included is through his anecdotes and reflections. 'I went to Chancery Lane' is an example of this as it makes the audience feel like they're on a journey with Bryson himself. His use of phonology also makes the reader feel included as they can imagine the sounds as he describes them, 'painfully noisy street'.
Complex and extended sentences are used frequently to convey as much information as possible. As travel writing is opinionated and used to almost give a review on a place, structure is used in the most efficient way to pack in as much knowledge as possible. This text doesn't feature any short sentences for effect as the purpose isn't to be dramatic but it is to inform and entertain.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)