In the novel 1984, Syme explains to Winston that the purpose of
Newspeak in the novel is to "narrow the range of thought." Syme becomes
excited when he explains to Winston how "we're destroying words-- scores
of them, hundreds of them, every day." After viewing the TED talk on
"Texting is Killing Language" by John McWhorter, write a response to the
following question:
Is texting the Newspeak of the
21st century? Is using this texting language harmful for society's
ability to communicate (written/oral)? Does it affect students in a
negative way? Or, is texting just a new form of language used today
separate from formal written/oral expression? Think about the
presentation you just viewed from the TED talk with McWhorter.
11 comments:
It can be damaging to students, because it is destroying modern day grammer. However, I do not think it serves the purpose of Newspeak in Brave New World. If anything, text language is helping people to brouden their minds. New words and phrases are being used and created universally, while Newspeak is destroying words and emotions.
I think texting is a separate language. I do not think that it is harmful to today's society, it is just a way to make things easier. Most people do not actually talk the way that they text. -Jorrin
I personally don't believe that texting is hurting language. I think that having our smartphones opens up a world to more information and more technology. Texting is only a bad thing if it is done too much and is a problem. But I don't believe abbreviating words or typing incomplete sentences to send a text more quickly. I think it is a new form of communication, but does not affect students in real-life conversation.
In my opinion, I believe that text language is definitely a form of "newspeak" that we have in our society today but it is not necessarily a bad thing. It is simply a technique of informal language that is quick and easy-which is what texting is supposed to be. Personally, while I do use some shortcuts while texting, I know better than to actually write like that when it is something formal. As long as people know when to use formal language and when to use informal language I do not see it as anything harmful. It's just important that students remember and are reminded(especially young elementary students) that the way they may "speak" to their friends through text is not actually the proper way to write or speak.
I do not believe that texting is a the downfall of language. Language has constantly been evolving and changing over hundreds of years, and currently we are going through a rapid change and advancement of the English language itself. Language will never remain the same, just as humans themselves have not remained the same as we have adapted to new ways and morals. -Christian
I don't believe that texting is the "Newspeak of the 21st century" because it is not used with the intention of limiting thoughts. Although texting does involve abbreviations that are not understood by those of other generations/cultures, it is not used for any other purpose than convenience. Texting is not harming society in general, because most people don't use too many abbreviations when texting and certainly don't use them when they talk or write. Even though some people may, this is not a general trend or a widespread decline in communication. I don't believe that texting affects students harmfully at all; rather, I think that it is a great invention because it is super convenient and is a great way to keep connected to people no matter where you are. Texting is a form of language that is completely different than writing or speaking, and it is not at all damaging to society's ability to communicate.
Jess
I personally don't think texting is the Newspeak of the 21st century. While most people communicate over text, we still understand what is trying to be said. For the most part, most people don't actually use text language in the real world while talking to someone face to face. I don't think texting affects anyone in a negative way because we still know how to communicate. Texting is simply an informal way to talk to someone that you aren't verbally talking to. I wouldn't even consider texting a "new language" since it's just words and phrases we already say, shortened.
Keely Kushmider. Pd. 7
I think that texting language isn't like Newspeak, because it is almost exclusively used for texting and does not enter into speech or other writing. I don't think that this language will become standard in anything else besides texting, but at the same time, it can affect communication as it strips in-person interaction if it becomes something that is the primary method of communication. It is extremely convenient and is definitely a positive thing, so it isn't something that affects people's language usage negatively as it is a completely separate thing. I do think that it is interesting to think about the usage of "lol" and "haha" and other things in texting like the TED talk talked about, because I definitely connect to the fact that we don't always use them to mean that we're actually laughing, as sometimes they're just used as fillers. I also liked how he mentioned that people have literally always not been good users of language, whether spelling things wrong or using incorrect grammar, so texting isn't going to bring about something new. I definitely believe that texting language is not used when people are actually writing, as academic writing and texting writing are completely separate and they are viewed that way by young people.
I think that texting is part of a Newspeak form of communication but, at the same time, I feel that society isn't trying to limit talking completely but, in fact, just to use it as a faster form of keeping connected with family, friends, employers, etc. I don't feel that texting is necessarily harmful for communication but, I feel like it just enhances what you want to say but typed on technology. I think that texting is quick to keep people aware and informed of what is going on write then and there. The only thing that I feel that texting is negative for is not given the full emotion and body language that you get from talking face to face. But, if you are a good texter, you can use words to create and explain what you are feeling but, again you don't stimulate the emotion as you do face to face. Texting is a seperate form of writing that progresses with humans as they create more and advanced technology, it is not trying to take over as a complete language, we will all use instead of words.
Sam
No because it doesn't limit how we can express our feelings and emotions. It is just an easier way to communicate with people quickly, rather than calling or emailing someone. It isn't a negative thing, it is just a new development with technology. Its just a new way for us to talk to each other. It is just a new era and a new language. That is how it usually works with music and normal spoken language. People's spoken slang change with time and so does the way of communication.
I think that texting is a new form of communication like Newspeak. Newspeak is kind of negative and I would categorize texting as a negative thing too. When people text, they are texting with as few words as possible which isn't proper. Texting doesn't show your true emotion. You have to put emotion into with lol or smiles whereas talking normal people can just see it. When you write an essay you would use proper writing. When we speak, we talk normal because otherwise we would be looked at as strange. No one says ttly in a normal oral conversation. Texting is taking away true human interaction.
- Megan
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