Does texting dumb down the English language?

[Hikari]

How many languages actually use punctuation marks as prolific as in english?!"';:.,()

I ask this because I know that in Japanese there are no punctuation, instead when a question is asked, the sentence ends with 'ka'

Japanese does have punctuation . . .
But maybe not as much as English . I don't know really I only know some of English punctuation so far ha ha ha

[Jay]

I use proper English in everything; Text messaging, Skype, Whatsapp etc. English is not my first language but I do my best to use English properly (Grammar, vocabulary etc.)

It doesn't surprise my colleagues and friends that my messages are typically very long. I usually joke around by calling my message an essay.

[Matthew]

Erm, language is about being able to relay a message from one person to another, as long as the other person understands what you've sent him via text, what's the harm?

[Geminize]

The thing is, it's frighteningly difficult to clearly and effectively relay a message from one person to another. We take it for granted that we do it all the time, but we frequently misunderstand each other. Usually there is no harm. We might not even notice, or laugh it off if we do. Sometimes, however, there is real harm. Respected members of this forum have deleted their accounts due to arguments arising as a result of simple misunderstandings.

I'm not saying we always need to choose each and every word with care, but knowing when it is appropriate to be casual and when to be precise seems to be a rare skill.

[g17m]

I agree, i think people have dumbed down the way they talk because of text speak, the one that gets me most is 'i would of' instead of 'i would have'...

[miimo]

English not being my first language (technically), I always use full words when i text/mail people. I don't mind if other people do it, it's relatively easy to understand. But there are times where i'm just like O_O;> HUH?!

I do believe that in a way it is dumbing down the English language, but everyone knows what the real english word is meant to be so it's okay.

I admit that I do use it sometimes, but that's usually just with word limits.

[southbiochem]

Interesting question....The same can be said for every language...texting, slang, all of it they really dumbs down just about any language.

I would know, in my country people have taken Spanish to unbearable low standards..I'm embarrased by it...

Then again, that's how languages start in the first place....

English, German, Norwegian, Swedish, as local deviations from original standard proto-Germanic

Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, Italian as local deviations from vulgar Latin, which in turn was the "slang" common people had for standard Latin..

I of course do that too, but I tend to avoid it as much as I can

[princealbertofb]

The thing is, it's frighteningly difficult to clearly and effectively relay a message from one person to another. We take it for granted that we do it all the time, but we frequently misunderstand each other. Usually there is no harm. We might not even notice, or laugh it off if we do. Sometimes, however, there is real harm. Respected members of this forum have deleted their accounts due to arguments arising as a result of simple misunderstandings.

I'm not saying we always need to choose each and every word with care, but knowing when it is appropriate to be casual and when to be precise seems to be a rare skill.

Seems to me it's the polite way to go... Making sure you understand what you're saying, who you're saying it to, and how you're wording it. Common courtesy.

[James]

Common courtesy, is that related to common sense? Something I find lacking in my work space. Jim

[MisterTinkles]

i dun b knwn wht u bn tkn bout