No+Chatspeak+is+Not+Destroying+English

=No, Chatspeak Is Not Destroying English= media type="youtube" key="RO2B8PamY48?fs=1" height="289" width="347"

In recent years many people have began to debate the issue of chatspeak. Critics argue that chatspeak, a modern day form of shorthand, is causing students to not understand the English language. When using chatspeak, words are replaced with letters, symbols, and numbers. For example, instead of saying "laughing out loud," a message will contain the abbreviation L.O.L. Although this kind of language may be irritating, especially to parents and educators, it is not a crime. Students understand English and it does not cause harm to their education.
 * Introduction**

The adaptation of chatspeak is a result of the natural evolution of the English language. Chatspeak is a personal choice that they are making. People make similar choices every day. Ask yourself, do you talk the same way with your parents as you do your friends? Do you write in complete sentences when you write personal messages? Does this mean that you do not value the English language? Like slang and Ebonics, chatspeak is merely a personal expression of individuality. On cell phones it is used to meet character requirements. On Instant Messages (IM) it is used because it is faster than typing the whole word.

Dating back to as early as the 8th century CE, with the composition of Beowulf, English has been changing and growing (Beowulf, 2010). From Old English that would be thought of as grunts and noises today, to the Middle English found in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and then to the Modern English of Shakespeare nothing is more consistent about the English language then change. Historically, languages are a product of the people and the time period. That which is categorized as Modern English is currently baffling many students. (Ask any who are reading non-annotated versions of __Romeo and Juliet__ or __Ophelia__.) This is because the English language has changed with the people who are speaking and writing it. Today, teenagers are speaking and communicating in abbreviations. Chatspeak is as natural to them as breathing. Just as contractions (changing "do not" to "don't") was frowned upon and thought to be the demise of the English language to Victorian England (c. 1850 CE), Chatspeak is being opposed at the beginning of the 21st century. Societies will continue to adapt and evolve the English language as long as it is being spoken. Since there are advantages to shortening words and making English more concise, then evolution process will continue (Batul, 2010).
 * Evolution of English**


 * The Benefits of Chatspeak**

Chatspeak has its benefits. The ease of faster communication online or in texting, and the ability to allow self-expression with smiles, winks, and laughter ;) lol) are only to name a few. It allows the author to provide a lighter, more personal way of communicating through the expression of laughter and emotions. (Leal, October 2007). Some people are acting like chatspeak is the end of culture as we know it, but in reality speech constantly changes over time. No one talks the same way that Shakespeare wrote in his plays, and yet life as we know it did not end. It is a natural progression of culture to constantly change as people and their lives change. It is a reflection of our growth and not regression. Additionally, communication has never been as rapid as it is today. Through the increased usage of technology, more people are writing and sharing their ideas than they have ever done in the past. media type="custom" key="7740795" align="center"

Throughout history humans have always striven to find the quickest ways to perform daily tasks, produce goods, and communicate their ideas with others. The development of certain technological devices has had the greatest impact on the gains made in these categories. For example, communication between others used to take days or even weeks using the postal delivery service. Then came email and communication time was slashed down to only the amount of time to took to create the document and send over the internet. If one were to believe that we have reached the peak of our communication rates with email our society would never be able to advance their communication abilities. With the implementation of chatspeak the amount of collaboration between individuals is occurring much more rapidly. This means that ideas can be shared as fast as the network can carry them. Obviously this chatspeak is not used in the final submission of formal documents and presentations but long before this stage in documents occurs much communication is needed to ensure the best product is produced. Therefore, faster communication equals better collaboration and greater final products.
 * Faster Communication**

Much like speaking face to face, chatspeak provides the chance to show expression while communicating. It helps denote the author's true intent during communication. By including symbols to show expressions, chatspeak is used to enhance communication. Instead of dull words, things such as smiling faces and catchy phrases can add some color and life to your message.
 * Opportunity to Show Self Expression**

Connie Varnhagen, a researcher at the University of Alabama performed a study to find out if chatspeak affected spelling ability. She found that students who are inherently good spellers are still good spellers even though they frequently use chatspeak and that using chatspeak may actually be enhancing their ability to problem solve. Says Varnhagen, "Using a new type of language does require concentration and translating it to standard English does require concentration and attention. It's a little brain workout."(Varnhagen, September 2009).
 * Enhances Thinking Skills**

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 * Who's Jumping on This Cultural Chatspeak Wagon - And Why**

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When you view the video of Hank Moody (on the right), it is clear that although he sounds like he is against 'Chatspeak', he is clearly one of those avidly utilizing it and encouraging it's spread. Its diction is clear and elaborate, so clearly, it has not hurt his literacy. So, is chatspeak only for the young? Clearly not. When viewing the first video in this section (above) about who is jumping on this cultural bandwagon, I find it interesting to see where chatspeak came from. It was born by those who are very intelligent and who have worked extensively with computers. They created this form of computer shorthand as a way of communicating not only faster, but also more personally. Studies (noted within this video) show that chatspeak actually improves literacy. So, if chatspeak was started by educated adults and used by educated adults, why should anyone be upset or offended if teenagers and pre-teens are using it to communicate? It would be like getting upset if this group began using the correct form of shorthand in taking class notes or in their communication with their friends. Even parents and some older Americans are beginning to use chatspeak in their correspondence. In speaking with a group of adults the other day about this very topic, I learned that one parent found that their 'pleasant' communication with their teen has improved through the use of chatspeak.


 * Conclusion**

With the rapid evolution of technology, chatspeak is a form of communication that is here to stay. As with all slang, shorthand, and abbreviations, it is up to parents and educators to convey to young people when it is appropriate to use chatspeak and when it is not. Throughout their education, children are taught when it is appropriate to use a first-person writing style versus a third-person style or a narrative versus a technical format; this is not any different. It is also up to parents and educators to evolve and learn how to decipher the chatspeak so that we better understand our children. if u cn read dis g4u if u cnt nuff (If you can read this, good for you. If you can't, enough said).


 * References**

1. Barrett, G. (2007, November 27). "Text Messaging May Help Language Skills" [Video Podcast]. Retrieved on November 29, 2010 from []. 2. Batul, Fatema. "Chat Speak - Advantage or Nuisance." EzineMark.com. (2010, March). Retrieved December 1 2010. []. 3. "Beowulf." Wikipedia.com. (2010, December 1). []. 4. Creap0. (2007, October 7). "Hank Moody on LOL & Internet".[Video]. Retrieved Nov 27, 2010 from [] 5. Leal, Amanda. (2007, October). "Chatspeak Fad or Threat". Retrieved November 26, 2010 from @http://niac.flvs.net/oct2007/chat.htm 6. Varnhagen, C. (2009, September 3). "RU Kidding? Research Finds That Chatspeak Has No Effect on Spelling Ability". Science Daily. Retrieved December 2, 2010 from [] 7. Greybill, Carolyn Jo. (2009). “DIG 3153- Writing for Digital Media”. [Video]. Retrieved Dec 3, 2010 from [] 8. ElcapitanBSC. (2009, September 17). "Texting". [Image]. Retrieved on December 4, 2010 from [].