hOw do yOu FEel aBoUt tXt-tLk?

Parents Forum
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<p>I know there has been a lot written on the atrocious grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. that comes along with texting and IMing.</p>

<p>My question for you: Do you worry that text-writing will affect your children’s ability to communicate formally or that this kind of “dumbing” down will become so entrenched in society that it will become acceptable?</p>

<p>I don’t think it is evil or the downfall of society or even terribly important but…</p>

<p>Personally, it bugs me. When teens write things with random capital letters, no punctuation, all lowercase or abbreviated words even in an email when it is just as easy to type a complete sentance it annoys me. My own son doesn’t write emails to me this way, but if we are IMing on Facebook he will. Our AFS daughter IMs AND writes letters this way.</p>

<p>What do you think?</p>

2

<p>I HatE iT WhEn PpL tYpE LiEk dIs.</p>

3

<p>I think it is dumbing down people who use it. They forget all punctuation and grammar when it comes time to write an actual paper.</p>

4

<p>Coming from a teen’s perspective: I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. Personally, I always use abbreviations, and often don’t use punctuation, when I’m text-messaging, and when I’m IM-ing, I tend to “forget” capital letters. But I still manage to write with (mostly!) good grammar when it’s for school. Sure, my grammar isn’t perfect, but the fact that I use abbreviations and such when I text/IM doesn’t make it worse when it matters. I don’t feel any dumber, either, actually. I haven’t “forgotten” how to use real punctuation and grammar.</p>

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<p>Another teen’s opinion: Text lingo should not be used in emails and even message boards - it implies that the person does not know how to write properly and can even come across as rude. In IMs and text messages it is acceptable, though I don’t see why it is such a big deal to spell out “you” instead of “u.” Random capital letters do not make any sense at all because they save no time whatsoever and take even longer. With regards to “dumbing down,” I do not believe it reduces a person’s ability to write and use proper English. The real problem is when people do not know when to use it and when not to use it.</p>

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<p>i dont mind abbreviations and stuff when IM-ing but it’s really annoying when they TpYe LiKe tHiS.</p>