What are the differences between texting and normal written language?
Texting is a form of digital communication form one mobile to another. Texting was made as a quick and cheap way to communicate with one another. It is informal whereas Standard English and normal written communication is formal. In texting there is no need for punctuation or the proper spelling of words, this is what makes it quick and relaxed. Normal written communication is more serious. In normal written communication you need punctuation and the proper grammar to make a letter or a piece of work appropriate. In a letter you wouldn’t write “how iz u?” you would write “How are you?” with punctuation, fully spelt words and a capital letter where it is needed.
Texting has some similarities to spoken language. One similarity would be slang. Slang is used with in texting and spoken language to make it quick and more relaxed. In data set three at 10:44, Kim said “c ya in a mo xxxx” that sentence is full of slang. Instead of saying “see” she put the letter ‘c’. She also put “ya” instead of “you” and “mo” which is a slang word for minute. That is the slang she used. Spoken language and text are both informal.
One of the main differences between written language and texting is initialism. In data set three at 10:41 am, Jen put “… omg he is here gyaoh…” in this part of her message she uses two initialisms, “omg” which is the initialism for “oh my God” and “gyaoh” which has the same meaning as “get your bum over here”. We use initialisms to make our messages quick and easy.
Another difference used in texting is we use emoticons. Emoticons are used to show how you are feeling. An example of an emoticon being used is in data set three at 10:41 am in a message Jen wrote. She said “in c blok avin chat about,” then she said a boy’s name, “omg his here gyaoh xxxxJ.” She used a smiley faced emoticon to show that she is happy. This makes texting seem more fun because of the things (such as emoticons) you can add to your messages.
Texting can be straight to the point. An example of that is in data set one at 3:30pm, written by Andy. He said “wat time u be home mam”. He didn’t ask how her day was; he was straight to the point. Texting can be short and snappy because of how you can be straight to the point. In spoken language, you can also be straight to the point.
Another similarity texting has to spoken language is that you don’t need punctuation. When you are speaking all you need to do is take pauses then carry on. You don’t go around speaking to people and saying “Hey, how are you. Question mark.” You just say “Hey, how are you?” They know there’s a question mark. This is how spoken language and texting is relaxed.
In conclusion, texting is an informal way of communication that is mainly used by younger people. It is relaxed, it’s short and snappy, and you don’t need to use punctuation or use the correct spellings. Some people think the code of texting is quite creative, but some people think it makes no sense at all. Standard English is formal and more upper class, whereas spoken language is informal like texting is. Standard English/ written language use punctuation, fully spelt words and people take their time writing it, there are no codes. Texting and written language are different. I hope my work has shown and helped you understand how.
