Hypothesis: Does text messaging have more in common with speech than formal written language?
| Evidence | Examples |
| 1. Paralinguistic features | ?,?,?,? |
| 2. Acronyms and Abbreviations i.e brevity | LOL/wanna |
| 3. Sound effects | Ha Ha |
Introduction:
- Outline argument i.e The informality of the text message makes it have more in common with speech than write language… Then outline points to come, in order
- Quote to attract attention
- provocative statement.
Essay
Ever since the invention of the text message in 1992 spoken language and written language have changed forever, with text messaging becoming a new form of communication. Because of its informality text messaging has more in common with speech than with formal written language, emojis such as “?” make it possible for us communicate through paralinguistic features just as we do in speech, while acronyms and abbreviations like” LOL” and “wanna” create brevity seldom used in formal writing. Another thing that makes text message so alike to speech is the sound effects, sounds like “haha” and “argh”. These three points are just a few of the reasons that text messaging and speech are so similar.
Paralinguistics are used every day to communicate through speech and through texting, they give our speech more clarity just as they do through texting. We use emojis to support a statement or to express an opinion just like we use facial expression or gesture. For example “?”, this emoji is usually used to state that the person is annoyed by something or someone, just as you would roll your eyes in speech. These paralinguistic features are never used in formal writing unless used as examples, this is just another piece of evidence to prove that text messaging has more in common with speech than formal written language.
Although abbreviations and acronyms are used frequently in text and speech they are considered informal in formal writing and are rarely used. They used most often in text and speech for brevity, a word like “LOL” can shorten a hole three words to a mere one it is also easier to say and can get the message across just as well. Where “LOL” is a purposeful abbreviation, in speech some words are mashed together to form new ones for example “wanna” is a mash-up of “want to” or “want a” these sorts of abbreviation have also been adopted by text and even though they are barely shorter than the original words they are still used. I personly think that this is because “wanna” is easier to say and when the receiver of the text or the other person in the conversation hears or reads the word it makes more sense and flows better into the sentence. As I have stated abbreviations and acronyms are used both in speech and in texting but not in formal language thus backing my point that speech and text are more alike than texting and formal language.
We use sound effects in conversations to convey emotions, opinions or just confirm our understanding. We also use them in text messaging, but never in formal written language. In texting “Haha” can be used for many different things, you can get your message across clearly and easily with just this one sound effect. By using “Haha” through text
In conclusion