Explore the view that speaking, texting and/or web based interactions can be very creative forms of language use.
I believe that speaking, texting and/or web based interactions can be very creative forms of language use because there are so many new words, and new ways of expression.
Identifying distinctive features of spoken language:
- Language devices used like – paralinguistics (ie – non-verbal communication eye contact & smiling & hand gestures)
- Acronyms & initialisms (ie-lol)
- Standard English
- Slang
- Different accents/dialects – extremely important for individuals from different cultures & backgrounds.
- Tone of voice.
Identifying distinctive features of texting or web-based interactions:
- Emoticons – ie smileys.
- Text speak/ Acronyms & initialisms (ie-lol & OMG)
- Punctuation – not often used.
- Abbreviated & convenient.
- Capitalisation – for emphasis – OMG.
Identify the distinctive features for each language type: both text-based messaging and spoken:
Text based language is very abbreviated, often involving shortened slang. Spoken language is subject to accent.
Explain how the text-based messaging uses a variety of these devices to shorten the
Message
Text based messaging uses several devices to shorten the message – largely for convenience and to reduce texting costs. When texting became a common form of communication – text messages could cost up to 10 pence per message – each message containing about 150 characters – so text-speak evolved to fit in all of the information required. Text speak also evolved in messenger systems available online – due to the necessary typing speed required for conversation on things like MSN Messenger and Facebook chat. People started using abbreviations like LOL – meaning laugh out loud, or ROFL – meaning Rolling on the Floor laughing, for convenience.
Explore the differences and similarities between speaking and messages:
The similarities between speaking and messaging is that they both can include initialisms, abbreviations, exaggeration, slang & repetition.
An example of this is the common use of the word ‘LOL’ – meaning ‘laugh out loud’ which is now used in both spoken & messaged text. An example of common slang used in both speech and text is ‘Innit’.
One of the big differences between spoke and text language, is that you cannot hear the tone of the voice – which leaves the tone of the message open to misinterpretation. You also cannot hear accents.
Spelling is something which really separates speaking and texting, or web based communication. It also shows just how creative these different forms of language are. In Mr Waugh’s transcript of the conversation between Tommy and Tyler, he uses the logogram ‘2nite’ and ‘r u’ which are quite clearly not the correct spellings of these words, but are acceptable text speak.
When I look at the transcripts of the spoken conversation between Tommy and Tyler, I can see that they are not using standard diction. They often start sentences with ‘yeah’. If they were texting each other, they would simply write ‘yh’ instead of the whole word. This is an example of a logogram – which is where a individual letter or number replaces sections of words.
If the conversation was more formal, they might have not started with the word ‘yeah.’ Or ‘Cool.’ as it would be impolite. When addressing someone of authority, like a parent or a teacher, it is not appropriate to use informal slang.
However, I also noticed that they don’t often use full sentences either. This is really common in text-speech – as ellipsis allows the message to be shorter, and faster to understand. When Tommy and Tyler speak, they abbreviate for example ‘you watching the game tonight?. This is another example of how creative spoken language can be – it’s really clear what Tommy is saying, but he has abbreviated.
PUBLIC ATTITUDES TO LANGUAGE VARIETIES:
Sometimes the older generation view these new styles, and language varieties in a bad light. They do not see the positives of language being abbreviated, words being changed to letters and so on. It can be difficult to understand if you are not familiar with the local and newer slang terms. An example of this is ‘you’re clapped.’ Which is translated as ‘you’re ugly?’ Out of context, it makes no sense, grammatically or literally, however, in context, it’s quite rude.
Back to texting and web based interactions, although individuals don’t always use punctuation correctly, an alternative use has been found, which is to create ‘smileys’. These are commonly known as Emoticons, and are meant to represent emotions which otherwise cannot be expressed by non-face to face communication – which is a para-linguistic feature.
This is one of the new methods of expression which shows just how creative these new forms of language are.
React!