What textism is and how does it lower literacy?
Everyone who used a smartphone for communication knows how web phrases differ from the standard, literary English language. A new type of language was developing constantly since the 90s when cell phones came into use. It is called textism or textese, has features of both written and spoken language, distinguished by shortenings, nonconventional spellings, using smileys, missing apostrophes.
Of course, such language is inappropriate in media publications or academic papers. Problems arise when people stop distinguishing situations when textism is appropriate and when it is not. Most teenagers grow with gadgets in hands and try to apply web phrases in a classroom. It is unclear for them why they should use two different languages. That is why more and more often, professors find mistakes in essays, send them for revision or put bad marks.
Facing severe criticism, young people start feeling dislike for academic writing, perceive it as a boring duty and not a way to show their creative talents, ask specialists from the Internet “do my homework” instead of learning the rules of classical English and composing their own mistake-free texts.
When a student is in hurry and tries to complete an assignment on an exam before a bell rings, one may use textism unintentionally, purely automatically, even if this person wrote perfect essays at home where one had enough time to concentrate and no irritants around. The thing is that the language system used in messenger apps is rooted deeply in one’s mind, seems more natural and common than an academic language.
Professor has to make great efforts to break this system and replace it with standard English norms, which seems to a surgeon who breaks a hand on which a fracture remodeled incorrectly in order to put bones in the right position. Such procedures are unpleasant for both a surgeon and a patient.
It is much easier to educate new generations of literate young people if their heads are not clogged with stuff from the Internet. That is why many professors speak out against messenger apps, especially since students often communicate and play games on gadgets instead of listening to lectures. Such disrespect is quite disturbing.
Professors would like young people to read more books and increase their literacy level. Then there will be no need to pay attention to such issues as grammar and spelling, which should be touched upon only on English language lessons. Math, history, law, biology professors should concentrate on their disciplines and not be distracted by mistakes in students’ essays.
Is it worth fighting textism?
So, we see that the problem is not fanciful. Messenger apps really have adverse effects. But how to reduce them? First of all, it is worth understanding that progress cannot be stopped. Language has undergone changes at all times, and it is absolutely normal that new communication forms constantly appear. By prohibiting gadgets in a classroom, professors will not receive any results. Young people will find ways to bypass rules.
The best thing professors can do is promoting the idea of appropriateness. For example, people do not wear one attire for theater and sports activities. The same goes for a language. Some phrases may be used in a classroom while others should remain in the webspace.
Peaceful negotiations instead of war on gadgets are the only way to reach a mutual understanding with students. Professors should stimulate young people to use real-life language more often, hold different literary contests and conferences with grants and other incentives.
It is worth not forgetting that, apart from disadvantages, messenger apps have positive effects that may be observed since childhood. Every parent knows how hard is it to force children to read. But they use gadgets with great pleasure. Online communication becomes their first step in the written world. Therefore, it may be said that smartphones enhance literacy at a young age. As a person grows, parents and teachers should remind one about the principle of appropriateness, and then there will be no problems with academic writing.
Teenagers, college and university students often use messenger apps for learning: negotiate on team projects and exchange learning materials. Modern and bright interaction format creates favorable emotional relief and comfortable conditions for studying. When performing an assignment in a group, young people do not have to sit for hours in a library. Each of them can stay at home and communicate with groupmates online. There is always an awesome possibility to apply to a research paper writing service, for example, and buy a research paper customized to all your requirements.
Many tech-savvy professors also use messenger apps to consult students. Young people do not need to wait near a professor’s office after lectures to receive answers to certain questions. In addition, one may not be able to provide information right away. Sometimes, it is necessary to spend time on analyzing different sources.
Earlier, professors just said: “I should research this issue. Let’s return to it at the next lecture”. As a result, a student was not able to work on a term paper or a dissertation several days. Everything is much easier now. A student can ask questions in a messenger and receive answers as soon as a professor finds them.
If used reasonably, gadgets can become great learning tools. Many advanced universities introduce them into an educational process, and this trend is going to grow. Therefore, it is inappropriate to say about the absolute harm of text messengers because benefits are also great.
