Cover Story from the Michigan Front Page
Is Text Messaging Encouraging Illiteracy?
Written by Talitha Johnson
The age of text messaging has created a new era for the way that people interact with one another. Educators, psychologists and social media professionals alike all agree that the American culture has developed a new social fave: texting.
With this new communication capability, completing a full sentence has been replaced by a revised short hand language – TTYL, LOL, OMG and ROFL. This development begs the question: Where do we go from here? Where will technology take us next? And, does the heavy usage of text messaging encourage illiteracy?
Forty-seven percent of adults in Detroit are below basic reading level; while Highland Park’s figures rest at 56 percent. With new popular mediums, such as texting and tweeting, does this mean more accepting avenues are available to pacify ignorance?
“I remember one of my professors crying that most students turned in papers using text message language, she was literally in tears. In my teaching experience, students constantly switch words ‘because’ with ‘cuz,’ they are increasingly using text message short hand in the final draft of their papers,” said Syid Powell, a high-school English teacher.
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, 30 million Americans are below basic reading level.
“Poor reading and writing is a generational issue. If you are below basic reading level and have children, chances are you will not teach your children to read and write,” said Dr. Louis Bader, executive director of Capital Area Literacy Coalition. “The less that you read, the poorer your writing will be, I don’t know whether it’s directly affected illiteracy, but it certainly won’t help you continue to grow.”
To bring this issue closer to home, it is no secret that Detroit Public Schools have one of the highest dropout rates in the nation, yet research exposes that 2.2 million metro Detroiters carry cell phone devices, using the text message service.
“Given the fact that we’ve been graduating illiterate people for decades prior to text messages surfacing into pop culture, I think the broken educational system is the bigger issue. It seems text messaging would empower those below basic reading level to feel that their on the technological bandwagon,” said Lottie Spady, multi-media activist and environmental educator.
“I think it does [encourage illiteracy], especially with young people. They use all the abbreviations that will not encourage them to spell or read correctly. So, when they see the word ‘your’ instead of ‘ur’ they don’t recognize it. Our literacy rate has plummeted because of so many abbreviations. Our young people aren’t learning to read or spell and their word association is hindered. When people come to vocational school, some can’t read the book. So, we have to find creative ways to teach the lesson,” said Anita Norwood, massage therapy instructor.
With the Detroit Public School’s alarming graduation rate, which is currently below 25 percent, the question remains: Is texting harming or helping students grasp the English Language?
“Texting helps teach people how to spell words, some people try to spell words using the T9 function, and T9 helps correct misspelled words. It helps to take notes while you’re in school you have to abbreviate things a lot,” said Tytiana Baker, 17, a Detroit Public High School attendee.
“Most people advocate teachers to learn the [text message] abbreviations and help kids to distinguish when to use them,” said Dr. Jacqueline Odom, psychologist.
One school of thought claims that any type of reading and writing is going to help. By texting children are reading more, according to Bader.
Texting or the Short Message Service (SMS) System has become the most used mobile data service; an estimated 936 billion messages were sent and received in 2005. By 2010, researchers are anticipating that 2.3 million messages will be used.
“Young people have always been at the forefront of popular culture. This ‘net generation’, as they are called, are definitely leaders in transforming the way we develop and maintain social relationships. Even at the college level, I observe young people with very short attention spans who are as glued to their Blackberrys as they are to the course material,” said Dr. Donyale Pagett undergraduate and graduate communications professor at Wayne State University.
“I don't think there's anything wrong with young people texting using messages that are created in less formal and more direct formats. The detriment is when they do not have a grasp of Standard English that allows them to meet the intellectual demands of the workplace or other areas in our society.”
Texting and the bottom line
In 2005, the data service rolled over a $39.5 billion profit; it is expected to reach $72.5 billion by next year.
The CTIA, the wireless industry trade association, recently reported that Americans send and receive 2.5 billion text messages per day.
“I think you have to be literate to text. I think literacy is a wonderful thing, but in most ways it’s over-rated, considering only 30-35 percent of people around the world are able to read. I think texting probably encourages people to be a little more relaxed about the formal uses of grammar, the grammar instructor in me considers that a tragedy,” said Darryl Dawsey former university professor and vice president/ associate editorial director of custom publishing division at Campbell Ewald.
According to a recent study 203 million Americans have SMS features included in their monthly cell phone plan. Within the past year reports have shown there is a 107 percent increase in text message usage. Service providers are finding that people are texting more than they are talking on the phone.
“It’s a good thing cause it helps people with learning how to spell, and comprehend the language in new ways,” David Fenn, Jr., 20, DPS graduate.
“Teaching writing has allowed me to see how texting has transferred to their everyday life. It helps perpetuate an already broken system,” said Alia Dickerson writer in residence at Detroit Public Schools. “Young people are already struggling to completely grasp the language in a proper and appropriate context, it’s another setback.”
Experts claim that the popularity of social networking websites, email and text messaging has changed the definition of literacy. The new measurement determines whether individuals 16 and older are above, average or below basic reading, writing and comprehension levels.
“Texting and emailing can actually help to improve levels of literacy. Whereas children and teens may have talked on the telephone in the past to stay in touch with friends, they are now shifting to texting. In order to text or email, you have to have a basic understanding of the language,” said Jennifer Cherry, emerging media manager and vice president of Marx Layne Inc., a public relations firm. “But, because text and email have proven so convenient, people who wouldn’t normally consider themselves as writers are writing more. Twitter is a prime example—140 characters or less. We want information, but we want it short and sweet.”