?4U: Does texting hurt ability to spell?

William Atkins
Thursday, 05 March 2009 19:27

Science - Biology

However, the question still remains that texting may hurt children who do not have adequate skills in the English language.

Further studies are needed to determine if this is the case.

Plester adds, "Using text abbreviations is not damaging fairly competent spellers and writers, but we don't know yet about those who are struggling, those who have less ability with English." [BBC News]

Dr. Plester states another positive aspect of text messaging: "Texting could be used positively to increase phonetic awareness in less able children and perhaps increase their language skills in a fun yet educational way." [BBC News]

For information on text messages and their translation into the English language, please go to the Webopedia.com website "Text Messaging Abbreviations: Part I: Guide to Understanding Online Chat Acronyms & Smiley Faces."

The website states, "With the popularity and rise in real-time text-based communications, such as instant messaging, e-mail, Internet and online gaming services, chat rooms, discussion boards and mobile phone text messaging (SMS), came the emergence of a new language tailored to the immediacy and compactness of these new communication media."

"If you have ever received an instant message or text message that seemed to be written in a foreign language, this Webopedia Quick Reference will help you decipher the text chat lingo by providing the definitions to more than 1,000 chat abbreviations."