Language and Literature Blog Post #5

John Mcwhorter's Theory: 

Mcwhorter claims that texting is a form of writing which helps modern-day humans "write how they speak"

1)  Mcwhorter includes two texting constructions, "Lol" and "Slash", constructions such as these tend to display emotions which can only be conveyed through the use of body language; therefore texting can be classified as non-formal type of writing which can display emotions during the use of everyday/casual speech.

2) Speech is a result of written language, for example people in the previous generation used to write exactly how they would speak, and we 21st century humans have evolved to write the same way we speak

David Crystal's Theory:

Crystal assures readers that texting does not lead to lower literacy levels and worse spelling among 

teenagers and young adults.

1) The use of abbreviations in texting does not necessarily signify that a particular person is stupid, but instead it shows that this person knows what he/she are talking about and wants to pass the message along faster than if he/she were not to use abbreviations

2) Removing vowels in certain words during texting most often does not change the meaning of the word and it only makes for a faster way to send out your message to people.

Similarities: 

1)Both linguists view the development of the English language as a natural and non-negative cause, 

2)They also agree that the influence of technology on language creates a new dialect and genre which.

Differences:

Mcwhorter's theory argues that texting is "a form of writing how we speak in our everyday lives"

Crystal tends to view this as "text speak" which means the use of short words/acronyms in order to make send our message in a quicker and more efficient way.