Luv 2 Txt | Teen Ink

Luv 2 Txt MAG

January 29, 2009
By Christina Costello BRONZE, Hopedale, Massachusetts
Christina Costello BRONZE, Hopedale, Massachusetts
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

You need to send a quick text to your mom to tell her soccer practice is canceled. In an effort not to get caught, you reach ever so slowly, skillfully, and one-handedly into your backpack. Drawing your bright purple handheld lifeline from the front pocket, you are careful not to press any button that will reveal your mission to Mr. Boring, who is yapping away at the front of the room. With the phone in your lap, you try not to look down as you type: “sccer canceled! pick^ @2 thx <3.”

Sent. You slip it into you pocket, fearing you will not be able to discreetly get it back in your bag. But wait … your BFF Lucy’s hair looked utterly ridiculous when you passed her in the hall on your way to bio. It’s unthinkable to wait until lunch to tell her. Only a horrid friend would let her saunter around with a mortifying hairdo! So, you repeat the sneaky process of texting: “Fix ur hair, its sticking ^!!!!” Now, not only have you just missed two whole possibly important minutes of Mr. Boring’s lecture, but you have furthered the decline of your spelling and vocabulary.

Could you understand the title of this article? Anyone who has ever texted or used instant messaging can. Most teens love to text. What our English teachers, parents, and future employers would prefer us to say is “I love grammar,” which most of us don’t. There are times when we have to use proper grammar and times when we don’t. The problem is that the line between when to spell-check and proofread and when to just type and send is becoming blurred and almost invisible.

The way we type when we use virtual communication devices affects the way we spell – not just when we’re in a rush, but on school or job assignments too. Ever caught yourself writing u instead of you in an ­essay for school? What about tho instead of though? In a world where instant gratification is everything, we simply do not take the time to add the few extra letters. Although teens today will eventually become the ones who set the standards for spelling and grammar, our elders are calling the shots now, and they tend to look down on spelling and grammatical errors. This could easily affect one’s grades or job opportunities.

Notice it or not, the words we choose, or rather don’t choose, when we use informal communication have significance. Rarely in a text message will a teen use the extensive vocabulary preached by our educators. Seldom do we see the word exultant for happy, morose for sad, querulous for annoyed, or ecstatic for glad in a text. We must reawaken this vast glossary of obscure and unused words if we expect to succeed on exams like the SATs that affect our future.

So, go ahead, work your fingers to the bone texting, but before you hit send, think about what you have written. Consider the words you chose and the way you spelled them and maybe, just maybe, you will retype your message.



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This article has 306 comments.


Beanc said...
on May. 10 2019 at 9:21 am
Beanc, New York, New York
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment
Just want everyone to know I was wrong and I’m sorry. I still use text lingo all the time and I did fine on my SATs and am about to graduate law school next week. 😂 Liv ur dreams!! - Christina C.

120312Ser said...
on Oct. 15 2013 at 3:38 pm
I agree that the way you text someone will affect your essays in school and the way you can get opportunities too get a job and get good grades in school because it all depends on the proper English you have or grammar

Ms. P said...
on Oct. 15 2013 at 3:38 pm
I think all students should use proper grammar at all times.

Sarahm15 said...
on Oct. 15 2013 at 3:38 pm
I think texting is an unintelligent and tedious activity. It involves improper grammar and half the time doesn't make sense. Frankly, it's a waste of time.

on Oct. 15 2013 at 3:37 pm
I think that everyone should just write or text whenever they want!!! Just make sure it makes sense

Bree said...
on Oct. 15 2013 at 3:37 pm
No one types like that. Even if you're in a rush. You type out the sentence completely. If I have to text someone quickly, I'll write a shorter sentence, but I will not misspell things.

Scubasam12 said...
on Oct. 15 2013 at 3:29 pm
I don't use autocorrect on my phone due to the fact that I will be relying on technology to fix my grammar. But some people actually really need auto correct because then they right lyke diz!

Nickycamp said...
on Oct. 15 2013 at 3:28 pm
"1f u typ4 l1k3 d1s" I'm judging you.

on Aug. 31 2012 at 2:47 am
BekahBekah BRONZE, Xian, Other
3 articles 0 photos 21 comments
I agree! My thoughts exactly.

on Mar. 29 2012 at 11:28 am
Valerie Sanchez, NonyaBizniz, Texas
0 articles 0 photos 7 comments
If you text 'lyk dis!!' you need a dictionary. I cannot stand people who do that or not use smiley faces, It feels like in texting an emotionless robot!>_<

FULLSTOP GOLD said...
on Mar. 8 2012 at 4:12 am
FULLSTOP GOLD, Skipton, North Yorkshire, Other
13 articles 7 photos 103 comments

Favorite Quote:
forever and ever and ever and ever will never be enough

rude? no. ironic? maybe. funny? as in occult or haha?

on Mar. 7 2012 at 2:31 pm
writertoday SILVER, Eagle, Idaho
7 articles 0 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." -Oscar Wilde

I think that texting is the place for this short hand. I can spell words correctly and am an A student but I do "txt like dis" and I think its ok because its texting. I don't write it in my school papers or even writing notes to my friends (unless I do it on purpose). I think if you are a person who has grown up using long hand, not one of those 5-year-olds who have a smartphone already and can't spell anything, texting shorthand is not a problem.

on Mar. 7 2012 at 2:23 pm
writertoday SILVER, Eagle, Idaho
7 articles 0 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." -Oscar Wilde

I dont mean to be rude, but it is a little funny that you didnt capitalize any of your I's and that you spelled two words wrong... Just ironic.

on Feb. 14 2012 at 8:15 am
Musicalartist, Xxxxx, Other
0 articles 0 photos 144 comments
I don't think she was trying to be mean. I know someone that puts texting into their favorite hobbies, so I think she was talking about them.

on Feb. 14 2012 at 8:08 am
Musicalartist, Xxxxx, Other
0 articles 0 photos 144 comments
the only time I ever used texting-grammar is when I am texting a friend or I am in a rush. I write correctly in emails, my journals, my stories, ect. I completely understand what you are saying, and I love to use big vocabulary! :) (I do put smileys though in emails and comments)

on Jan. 23 2012 at 1:18 pm
Studio_Riet GOLD, Tonasket, Washington
16 articles 0 photos 124 comments

Favorite Quote:
" Times you see, is a little arrangement that man has made for himself to try to measure the immeasurable mysteries of life." -Calypso to Ulysses (Bernard Evslin.)
"You don't have a soul, you are a soul. You have a body" - CS Lewis

I sometimes use short hand when I'm in a rush, or chatting with close friends, but when it's more formal, or I have the time, I will use longhand. Even when I text quickly, I try to punctuate correctly, as it can change the meaning of a phrase. this is a really good article. I'm glad so many teens agree with it. :)

on Jan. 23 2012 at 1:13 pm
Studio_Riet GOLD, Tonasket, Washington
16 articles 0 photos 124 comments

Favorite Quote:
" Times you see, is a little arrangement that man has made for himself to try to measure the immeasurable mysteries of life." -Calypso to Ulysses (Bernard Evslin.)
"You don't have a soul, you are a soul. You have a body" - CS Lewis

Some of my friends will post on their wall: "if u tlk lk ths, dnt txt me." I agree.

on Jan. 23 2012 at 1:12 pm
Studio_Riet GOLD, Tonasket, Washington
16 articles 0 photos 124 comments

Favorite Quote:
" Times you see, is a little arrangement that man has made for himself to try to measure the immeasurable mysteries of life." -Calypso to Ulysses (Bernard Evslin.)
"You don't have a soul, you are a soul. You have a body" - CS Lewis

Any chance I get to use an obscure word, I take it. Not to appear "smart", but because I like them. They give a deeper meaning to what I'm trying to say.

TyTy22 said...
on Jan. 1 2012 at 1:56 pm
love this website

on Jan. 1 2012 at 1:44 pm
AlwaysAntlers SILVER, Kingsport, Tennessee
5 articles 0 photos 72 comments

Favorite Quote:
“Don't forget - no one else sees the world the way you do, so no one else can tell the stories that you have to tell.”
― Charles de Lint, (from his book,The Blue Girl)

I love obscure words! I just never get an opportunity to use them.