Language innovations in text messages in english

Abstract

he new forms of communication brought about by technology are the reasons behind the existence of a new language - a language, which is used by millions of people who are sending messages via the cellular phone or the computer. The need to understand the emergence of this new language is what made the researcher conduct a study on language innovations in text messages. This study dealt with texting and the innovations of language. It aimed at answering the following problems: 1) what are the changes structure found in text messages? 2) What are the problems encountered by texters in understanding text messages? and 3) what are the texting cultures present in the text messages? The researcher used the descriptive method in this study. several approaches such as content analysis, sociolinguistics and pragmatics were also utilized here. Questionnaires were distributed among 100 texters and 100 messages were collected from texters of different walks of life. Percentage was used as a statistical treatment in the analysis of the data. A. Changes in structure found in text messages There were changes-in structure found in text messages. Such changes observed were found in the areas of spelling, grammar, abbreviations, capitalization and punctuation marks. 1. In the area of spelling, most texters spell their words phonetically and this is done through speedwriting, blending or even reduction of words.2. Grammar in texting is still observed except for very few messages, which do not follow the rules of grammar. The texters who commit error in grammar are the ones who do not really know the rules and those who do not mind whether they are constructing correct sentences or not. 3. Abbreviations are done through the reduction of words and through the use of acronyms with designated meanings known to the texters themselves. 4. Capitalization of words in text messaging is done through varied ways. There are messages where chosen words and letters are capitalized. There are messages where all the words are capitalized and there are messages where rules on capitalization are not being followed. 5. There are messages with correct punctuations. There are also messages with no punctuations and there are messages with multiple punctuation marks. B. Problems encountered by texters Texters encountered problems in understanding messages. These include the following: 1. The use of non-standard abbreviation in texting becomes a problem specially when the abbreviated words, which are done through the reduction of words or through word designation in acronyms is unknown to the readers. 2. Spell as pronounced words in texting gives difficulty to readers to understand such words spelled in an unacceptable form especially if the readers are used to reading sentences with correct spelling of words. 3. Incorrect grammar is seen through the wrong choice of words used in a sentence, the omission of a punctuation mark that may give another meaning to certain words in the messages and the problem on inconsistencies. 4. Emit icons that are written in different forms give confusion to readers who are used to see the same form of an emit icon. The understanding of the texters who are not used to see emit icons in the messages they received is also a problem here. 5. Incorrect use of punctuation marks in texting, may suggest another meaning in a message instead of the intended meaning. 6. Misunderstood messages are those messages that are distorted due to the problem of cell phone features, the messages that are arrange in a very unusual manner and the messages that are not understood in their literal meaning. 7. The refusal of the receiver to respond to messages received 8. Delayed messages in texting are the result of any of the following: traffic within a network, outside one's network, the subscriber is out of coverage area or the subscriber put off his cellular phone. C. Texting cultures introduced in text messages There were cultures introduced in text messages and these include: 1. Quotes - These are used to introduce a certain speech act. 2. Graphics - These are always coupled with quotes or very short messages. 3. Playfulness in writing - It is varied and these include the use of capital letters, smiley icon, unusual arrangement of words and unusual use of capital letters, the use of graphics, the use of quotes, the use of multiple punctuations and the use of written-out sounds. Playfulness in texting is the variation from the usual way of writing which contradicts the set rules being followed. 4. Speech act categories used in sending messages include: directives, commissive, expressives, declaratives, verdictives and representatives. The use of speech acts depends upon the purpose of the texter in forwarding messages. Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were made: 1. The use of a cellular phone with text access made it possible for a texter to change his sentence structure particularly in the areas of spelling, grammar, abbreviation, capitalization and punctuation marks. 2. The fact that texters are exposed to the texting language, still they encounter problems in understanding text messages. These problems include the use of non¬standard abbreviations; spell as pronounced words, incorrect grammar, emit icons, incorrect use of punctuation marks, misunderstood messages, refusal of the receiver to respond to messages received, delayed messages and vague messages. 3. The ways text messages are structured introduce varied cultures in texting. The cultures evident in this study are the use of quotes and graphics, the playfulness in writing text messages and the different speech acts in texting. Based on the study, the following recommendations were made: 1. Language instructors may use the texting language as a material in teaching grammar. The text messages can be used as examples to correct whatever mistakes students commit in constructing sentences. 2. Language instructors should make it a point that texting language is limited to sending text messages only and are not supposed to be used in formal communication - either oral or written. There are possibilities that the way students write their sentences in text messaging can be adopted in the classroom, such situation should be avoided. 3. New studies can be done on texting particularly on: a. Texting in relation to the principles of language. b. Texting and its effect on the classroom performance of students. c. Structural analysis on texting 4. Language instructors should be encouraged to learn the language of the texters because of the possibility that texting language will be adopted in the classroom. Understanding the situation would help them device strategies on how they can possibly divert it to learning. 5. A study be made on the other cultures introduced in texting. 6. Texting should be part of the discussion in the classroom particularly in the field of linguistics. Language instructors should not disregard such topic considering that texting is a fad and its influence may affect things being taught in the academe.