There are numerous ways one can express their feelings whether it be through talking, singing, acting, or writing. I believe that in our world today, writing is a big part of our lives. And not the kind that requires a grade or a comment, but writing as in texting. “According to CTIA, 6 billion SMS messages are sent each day in the United States, over 180 billion a month, and 2.27 trillion each year. This comes out to approximately 81% of Americans texting regularly and about 97% of adults use this form of communication” (Morreale). In today’s society, everything is at our fingertips because of technology, and that only makes communication easier.
Texting is such a big part of our lives that every age group is doing it. Some might say that our fingers are glued to our phones through socializing with others, while others may think it is a blessing to communicate easily with friends and family. Language and communication has gradually become part of our daily routines. It is how we talk and understand others. “Through quick messages that we type with our thumbs on our phones, we keep in touch with friends and family; we flirt and fall in love (Jarenwattananon and Novey). Our language develops through texting because there are always new ways to improve our communication. Through abbreviations, shortcuts, and acronyms, our language gradually evolves. Adults are learning the “hip and trendy” ways to talk to their kids through texting and teenagers’ only form of communication is through typing on a little screen. With messaging, the power of language is seen very clearly because we are conversing with others in a way that fully allows us to understand each other. Messaging allows us to learn new things because of the constant communications with others. It is something that we always do that has allowed us to live our lives as easily as we can.
We have been able to create our own languages through messaging. Our own ways of communicating with each other and understand one another’s thoughts come from texting. Today, a lot of teenagers use the acronyms, “LOL” and that has evolved throughout the years. It started with it simply meaning “laughing out loud.” But over the years, it has changed into almost a completely different meaning for kids. No one says LOL to actually mean that they’re laughing, “it became not even real laughter at all. It became more of a marker of irony or softening ‘I’m not angry at you,’ ‘I’m not feeling hostile’ – you know, these additional subtle social meanings (Jarenwattananon and Novey). Language consistency evolves with texting and it is being used worldwide to communicate with others.
Language shapes who we are as individuals because it is a way to express ourselves, “Being able to communicate is not the same as having language. Having language means that you are able to communicate in such a way that others understand you. Language becomes more powerful when understood by a wider community than just those closest to you” (Neimeijer). We communicate with others and it gives us this connection and way to control our lives. While there are several ways to communicate, I believe that today many people are turning to texting to express themselves.
Works Cited
David Niemeijer Founder and CEO, et al. “The Power of Language.” AssistiveWare, www.assistiveware.com/blog/the-power-of-language.
Cornish, Audie. “Our Language Is Evolving, ‘Because Internet’.” NPR, NPR, 31 July 2019, www.npr.org/2019/07/31/747020219/our-language-is-evolving-because-internet.
Megan MorrealeMegan has been writing about enterprise technology. “Megan Morreale.” SMSEagle, www.smseagle.eu/2017/03/06/daily-sms-mobile-statistics/.
Karla,
I love that you chose to expand your thoughts on this very relevant topic. I liked how you campared and contrasted the ways texting postively and negatively changes our ways of socializing.
Dear Karla,
I am very interested in your post because it perfectly describes the significance of texting in the lives of younger generations today. It really caught my eye because it aligns with how I use this form of language and communication in my own life. One thing you said that stands out to me is “over the years, [LOL] has changed into almost a completely different meaning for kids. No one says LOL to actually mean that they’re laughing.” I think that this is a little saddening, as a simple acronym has lost its original meaning relating to humor. However, I do think that this is quite interesting to see because now it softens the blow of what would be an otherwise angry or aggressive text. Your post reminds me of how I use certain words, acronyms, or punctuation to change the tone of my message. For example, I will usually add a period at the end of my text to convey that message is a serious matter. Like you stated in your post, I also use “lol” or “hahaha” to ease tension or add a lighter tone to my message.
Thanks for your project. I look forward to seeing what you write next because I admire how you acknowledged the effects of newer generations and technology on the world and how our society is ever-changing because of the universality of certain forms of language and communication.