Netspeak has an influence on how we communicate online, but it doesn’t entirely alter our communication behaviors across mediums. We may form some habits, but we can also break them accordingly. Whether we are having a face-to-face conversation or writing an academic paper, there are differing expectations. This doesn’t mean the demise of the proper English language; it is a practical adjustment for the medium.
Thurlow references Baron’s claim of a hybrid language; it has a blend of characteristics from both spoken and written. I agree with this hybrid claim, language in these mediums is a different animal. Baron lists some characteristics of each traditional category and the hybrid. Speech is a dialogue, that exists in real-time. SMS text messages are similar to speech in their “dialogic exchanges,” yet the language still resembles more “interactive written discourse” (6). Structurally, messages use a variety of abbreviations and contractions like we do more commonly in speech than in formal writing (Baron,46). SMS and IMs are also similar to speech in their fleeting importance and relevance. The more casual constructions lead to a sense of “transience and ephemerality” (Thurlow, 14). We want to communicate without it feeling like a chore, and it often resembles speech. SMS does not replace face-to-face communication or directly translate the language we speak into real life (we don’t say lol, idk, gtg, brb in real life speech conversation). The language complements our understanding and gets folded into part of our life. In such a time-constrictive environment, brevity is necessity. The writer must make “various types of shortenings: abbreviations, acronyms, contractions” in an attempt to create a coherent message. Especially in IM, utterances get broken into parts to indicate the speaker is working on making a point (Baron).
The leveling of the language is somewhat creating a democratization of expression. The loosening requirement for formality is encouraging more communication, since entrants don’t have to learn proper literate forms to get their messages across. While there is no universal language, formal or otherwise, it is becoming more flexible. Time will tell what effects this has on our communication behavior.
I agree with you that we change our writing styles and communication patterns to meet the medium we are using. We are constantly making these adjustments throughout the day. I feel like I change my communication style a hundred times an hour! I text a friend in one style, my mom in another, I write a paper in a third, I answer an essay question in a fourth, I tweet about the test I just took in a completely different style than anything else I did, etc. its exhausting when you think about all the communication adjustments you are making throughout the day!
I liked the example in the Herring, I think it was about text language being similar to “code” I remember those puzzles as a kid when you would eat at a family restraunt and it would show a symbol = letter and once you matched them up right you got the answer to a joke or question.
When you think about it texting is the new generations code language, the problem is perception and personal choice of words are thrown in and you can think OMG or LOL or SMH mean one thing and the other person may really be thinking something else.
Thank you for the post.
That’s a good point Adrienne, as we found in our last chat session, this “code” is still evolving, and we don’t always know what we mean.
I think your point about this hybrid language being “democratizing” is interesting. It’s a very different way to look at this issue. Nice job!
I think the whole point of texting is to be able to send a short message. Texting isn’t for having really long converstions. There are times texting is useful though. That’s why we have all the abbreviations and acronyms is because we are just trying to get a short thought across.
I agree that language within text messages and IM doesn’t mean the deterioration of the English language. We do adjust or communication accordingly. People know when it is necessary to be formal and when informality is acceptable.
Netspeak does not toatllyt alter our language, but it definitely contributes to how we communicate face to face and through media communication. I have heard plenty of people say OMG but I never hear LOL unless it is through text, facebook, etc. I agree that our media language should not keep us from communicating in a correct language but you have to admit acronyms are definitely an easier way to continue or end conversations.