Journal 7 - "Is Chatspeak Destroying English?"

"Is Chatspeak Destroying English?" by Linda Howard and Greg Monfils
Source: Learning and Leading with Technology. Vol. 35 No. 3

Howard and Monfils presented differing viewpoints on the effects that "chatspeak," or the abbreviated language that kids use to communicate electronically, is having on English skills. Howard believes that this informal version of English is not good for the development of writing skills, and that kids are picking up bad habits by using chatspeak. She points out that this language has no place in "academic, business, and other formal writing settings," and that it may harm their chances of doing well in college or getting good jobs.

Monfils, an English teacher, was more optimistic, stating his belief that kids know how to "codeswitch," and are able to go from chatspeak back to formal English when they need to. He has seen perfectly elegant writing from students who email him in chatspeak. He doesn't think that using chatspeak is much different from learning Spanish or any other language. He also keenly pointed out that kids use it precisely because adults frown upon it - it is partly an act of rebellion, and they know it's incorrect - that's why they like it. He thinks it's foolish to believe that kids are losing their English skills as a result of chatspeak.

I first agreed with Howard, because I do think that English skills aren't what they used to be. But then I read Monfils, and I agreed that perhaps we are exaggerating the effect that chatspeak has on kids' language skills. Chatspeak probably won't improve formal writing skills, but I don't think there's evidence that it destroys them. Howard didn't cite any evidence for her opinion, whereas Monfils gave an example of a student who wrote beautifully but also used chatspeak. Perhaps there is proof out there that chatspeak is harmful to certain populations, but we have yet to see any studies on that subject. Her opinion makes sense - after all, people used to write letters in formal English, instead of email and text messaging. Our kids probably don't get as much practice as they used to, but to say that they are replacing English with the shorthand of chatspeak is a little extreme.

Questions:
1. Are there any studies out there on the effect of chatspeak on English writing skills?

I would be interested to know, but I haven't heard any news stories on that particular subject. But I have, however, heard that today's kids have smaller vocabularies than they did 50 years ago. I wonder if the two could be connected...

2. Do you feel that chatspeak has affected your own English skills?

I D K. What do u thnk? Personally, for me, it's about saving keystrokes when I'm texting. But if I have anything longer than just a few sentences, I will type it out in correct English or just call the person. My English skills were strong before the advent of cell phones and email, but I can't speak for kids growing up in today's wired society.