Texting Is Not Deteriorating Language — It's Transforming It

I remember when people debated whether the term “text” could be used as a verb. “How would we even conjugate that?” we wondered, incredulous. “You really say, ‘I texted’? That sounds absurd.” According to Merriam-Webster, the verb form of “text” first appeared in 1998, and now we use it casually without a second thought.

Since texting emerged, some linguists have claimed that it marks the decline of the English language. In a 2002 article for the Guardian, Professor John Taylor of Modern English Literature at University College London described texting as “penmanship for the illiterate,” referring to emojis as “face symbols.” He even predicted that texting would be just a fleeting trend, destined to fade away within a year or two. “If you don’t text now,” he wrote, “it’s not worth learning; soon, voice recognition systems will take over.” Well, some predictions age better than others.

Language Evolves, and Texting Is Part of That

Taylor’s overconfidence in predicting language evolution should remind us, especially those of us who often say “kids these days,” that criticism of how younger generations communicate tends to age poorly. Gretchen McCulloch, author of Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language and co-host of the podcast Lingthusiasm, argues that texting is simply another form of communication and a natural progression in language evolution. She points out that texting has its own set of rules and conventions, which are often context-dependent: older individuals text differently than younger ones, and texts to friends vary from those sent to colleagues.

The focus of communication can change too. “The old rules were about the ‘how-tos’ of punctuation,” McCulloch explained in an interview with NPR. “The new rules revolve around interpreting tone. The old rules emphasized demonstrating intellectual superiority, while the new ones prioritize connection.”

Periods Are Considered Aggressive?

Recently, a friend posed a question on Facebook: “Both of my teens agree that periods in text messages are ‘aggressive.’ Are they broken?” After 228 comments, the consensus was unclear, but a distinct trend emerged: young people view periods as the textual equivalent of a death stare, while older generations cling to the notion that punctuation marks simply denote the end of a sentence.

Having sent numerous texts throughout the day, I find myself leaning towards the younger perspective—often omitting periods, and when someone responds with one, I pause to gauge the context to determine if they are annoyed or just punctilious.

McCulloch also addressed the contentious period in her NPR interview. She explained that as texting evolved, the period began to be omitted. In formal writing, a period serves as a necessary break between sentences, but in texting, that separation occurs when you hit send. Thus, a text saying “awesome” is enthusiastic, while “Awesome.” might be interpreted as sarcastic.

Texting Isn’t Destroying Grammar, Either

In an episode of her podcast, Lingthusiasm, McCulloch tackled the claim that texting is ruining language, particularly regarding grammar. A 2012 study suggested a link between the time kids spent texting and declining grammar skills. However, when examined more closely, experts found that the correlation was statistically insignificant and connected to grade levels. The middle schoolers in the study only took a 20-question grammar test, neglecting the content and clarity of their writing.

According to McCulloch and several other studies, informal texting does not predict poor formal writing skills. In fact, a 2010 study by M.A. Drouin at Indiana University–Purdue University revealed that students who texted more tended to score higher in grammar, spelling, and reading fluency.

Kids Are Writing More Than Ever Before

This makes sense; kids are constantly writing, expressing themselves through the written word all the time. While their texts might be chaotic in terms of punctuation and grammar, that doesn’t imply they lack writing skills. As a writer, I notice a stark contrast between the quick, thumb-typed messages I send from my phone and the more polished pieces I produce on my computer. My children do the same. Their texting may be disorganized, but their school assignments adhere to conventional spelling and grammar rules appropriate for their age or even beyond.

Texting Is Accelerating Language Evolution

As our connectivity increases, language evolves more rapidly than ever. Each year, Merriam-Webster adds hundreds of new words. Our digital interconnectedness allows new terms and phrases to spread quickly, and platforms like Urban Dictionary help older generations catch on to the slang of younger people, often diluting its “coolness.”

Texting has almost become a different language with its own expectations, abbreviations, and implied meanings. In terms of sharing ideas, it holds equal value to formal written English. Our children will amaze us with their ability to switch between informal texting and the structured language required for academic essays. They’ll also continuously surprise us with their creativity in generating new words faster than we can keep up.

No cap.

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Summary

Texting is not a threat to language; rather, it represents a natural evolution. As communication methods change, so do the rules surrounding language. While some may view informal texting as detrimental, research suggests it actually fosters creativity and writing skills. Our ability to adapt to new forms of expression is a testament to the resilience of language.

Texting Is Not Deteriorating Language — It’s Transforming It