Quote: "For most of the history of the language, English speakers took a lackadaisical approach to spelling; the notion that a word should always be spelled the same way is a much more recent invention than the language itself. The standardization of English spelling began in the 16th century, and although it is unclear at exactly what point our spelling became set, what is certain is that ever since it happened, people have complained that the rules of spelling, such as they are, just don’t make sense."
Reaction: I had never thought of the English language or spelling like this before. When it comes to texting, e-mailing, and other forms of electronic communication, I am all about correct spelling and writing words out completely. I hate when I get a text that says HRU 2day. However, this article really made me think about why I feel that way. From a young age, children are taught that spelling is extremely important and they are forced to learn all of the crazy rules of the English language. After reading this, I'm really questioning just how important spelling is. If 2day and today sound the same and people can understand what is meant, then why does it matter what it looks like. The rules used in social speaking such as 2 for too,two,and to or U for you make sense and are actually a lot easier to understand than the rules the English language follows. I'm not sure that this article has completely changed my mind, but it definitely has me thinking.
Reference: SHEA, A. (n.d.). On Language - The Keypad Solution - NYTimes.com. NY Times Advertisement. Retrieved September 6, 2011, from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/magazine/24FOB-onlanguage-t.html
Related Resource: This Youtube video shows how different words have acquired new meanings since the explosion of the Internet.
After reading your response i am beginning to thnk whether spelling is needed anymre either. When you read that last sentence you noticed two spelling errors but could still understand the text. Why is spelling needed?
ReplyDeleteI can definitely understand how a word sounds and how it is actually spelled should correlate. Although if we did this it would make it where we could pretty much spell it any way we wanted, as an example we could spell today like: today, tooday, twoday, 2day, or maybe even taday. This is why having a set way of spelling and not having everyone improvise on the spot is worth having. This is why everyone, in the USA at least, takes and English class every year till college and even then you will need two semesters of it then.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point. Why DOES it matter? But at the same time I just can't bring myself to use this new way of "spelling." I'm known for sending a second text just to correct the spelling of one word. But you make a good argument. Definitely something to think about.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about my text messages, I always spell words correctly and abbreviate words rarely. This article has made me think why they made the English language so difficult in the first place. I don't agree that the English language should ever start teaching "text" language instead, but that is just my opinion. Im loving Wes's comment!
ReplyDeleteIm with you, I hate when I get those texts saying HRU 2DAY. It just gets on my nerves when people do that. Then again, why does it matter? Great Job, it makes you think a lot!
ReplyDeleteGreat comments by your peers, and when teaching spelling in an Elementary school setting it can be difficult to teach the rules and the exceptions to the rules, it can be quite confusing. I am a stickler for correct spelling and complete sentences.
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