|
The less we read well-thought out, well-written long-form writing, the more likely it is we will no longer learn how to write well.
- Stephen Tiano
|
In a recent article, book designer Stephen Tiano discusses the possibility that short-form reading and writing is killing our taste for reading books and, perhaps worse, destroying our ability to write well.
So is text speak killing reading and writing and, if so, why and what can we do?
The rise of txt spk
The proliferation of mobile devices and the seeming need for instant gratification and constant communication has led to text speak becoming something of a lingua franca, especially among younger, more regular users of such devices.
Early versions of mobile phones (and even pagers - remember them?) had small screens and limited memory, rendering abbreviations useful and, perhaps, necessary. Hence the rise of overused and often impolite phrases and symbols like <3 and WTF.
Smartphones, tablets and other portable devices now allow for clear, elegant and grammatically correct communication, so why is text speak still growing and why should we care?
WDYM?
Whether we like it or not, text speak has been introduced to many people as an acceptable form of communication.
It is acceptable because it is widespread and it is how groups of people choose to express themselves.
There are even websites, like this one, dedicated to archiving examples.
|
It can still be used to save time and convey messages in a simple manner, but its simplicity both produces and masks the problems with it.
Some people are now becoming so used to reading and writing in this truncated form that they are unable to produce grammatically correct, intelligible writing.
Some also no longer have the attention span for reading books or even articles longer than a few paragraphs.
I occasionally receive inquiries and questions from students and remain shocked by how many times I read things like 'wud', 'shud', 'TIA' (thanks in advance), and 'u' in what should be business-like correspondence.
Outdated?
Is an insistence on correct grammar and spelling an outdated eccentricity? Should we let text speak take its place?
No. Absolutely not.
The ability to write well is a gift, and we should cherish it, nurture it and never give up on it.
I am not such a Luddite that I cannot recognise that text speak has its place, but we should not allow it to supplant correct, beautiful writing.
Furthermore, we should not allow it to kill our desire to read and savour such writing.
It would be a very sad day if well-written books no longer excited and fired the imagination of readers.
|
