Is texting killing our language? That is a question were hear asked and discussed all the time nowadays. A Ted talk that I recently viewed had a very interesting way of looking at this subject. (https://goo.gl/gmuwBT) The gentleman speaking in this talk, talked about how texting is not just a from a of writing, it is basically writing like we speak. He spoke about how up until recently we have not had the kind of technology that allowed us quickly put spoken words into writing and send it for instant communication. Texting is a new form of communication that is for the most part extremely informal. As I listened to this talk I really began to understand the point that he was trying to make. I, like many others, often find it really annoying when people don't use basic grammar. When younger people today butcher the spelling of a word, or spell a word completely different I am often baffled. An example I have seen recently is the simple word yes spelled yissss. This is really perplexing because it is not a shortened version, if fact it actually took more time to type the other way. Although this form of writing will probably continue to drive me nuts, I now see it from a different point of view.
When you think of texting as a way to communicate what you are trying to speak in a quick and informal way the new language that is emerging doesn't seem so bad. If you still have your doubts you can reassure yourself by referring to the portion of this Ted talk that gives examples dating all the way back to 63 A.D. of how our language has been butchered over time. Although, I will always have my pet peeves about how a younger generation is writing or speaking, I am sure that we will be okay in the end. As long as a person is able to use the correct "version" of our language at the correct time and place we will continue to move forward as a society and be just fine.
