2 all u txtspk h8rs

I've read heaps of articles about people thinking that standards of English are declining, mainly pointing the finger at fairly new changes in English, such as text speak. People who find out I do linguistics think that I should also feel the same way, and are surprised when I feel pretty much the opposite. I guess people are concerned because I'm not opposed to text speak, and I'm actually qualified to be an English teacher. If people like me are teaching English, does that mean kids will soon lose all concept of "Proper English"? I guess for some people a seemingly-failing education system is not a lol-ing matter.

But if you look at the idea of text speak, it epitomizes how amazing English is. Think about it; with only 160 characters and a small keypad to work with per message, instead of people finding themselves unable to communicate, written language has been able to evolve and adjust so people can still express themselves freely. The whole point of language is communication, and if it can't even do that, then it's not working properly.

Language always evolves and changes depending on the needs of its speakers. That's why there are so many words for ice & snow in Inuit that you don't find in English, and probably wouldn't find in Hawaiian. I guess you don't need that many words when the only ice you encounter is in a glass, alongside a mini umbrella. In Japanese, the words honne (本音) and tatemae (建前) are used to refer to your true feelings that you aren't supposed to show many people, and the behaviour that is expected of people in public. It seems appropriate to have these words in a culture that puts such an emphasis on these concepts, but a little weird in English if your culture values freedom of speech and expressing your opinions and feelings.

So while I'm pro-txtspk, and think it should count as a legitimate form of English language, I don't think we should start allowing kids 2 b writin essays lyk dis. It's all about context; who you're communicating to, and the purpose of communication. When you're asking to borrow a pen from a friend, you're going to ask differently than if you were asking to borrow $10,000 from a bank. And when you borrow that pen from your friend, are you going to email them (or SMS them), or are you going to just turn to them and ask them directly? Rather than teaching students that txtspk is wrong, I think students just need to be taught when each different form of writing is appropriate.

Or I guess, just wait for SMS to become obsolete, which could happen anytime soon...