As text messaging becomes more widespread, research studies, professors and tutors have found that formality and use of correct grammar in e-mails and academic papers has decreased.
Where I do see lapses in grammar
or inappropriately informal grammar is in correspondence through e-mail said Ellen Gerl, an assistant professor of journalism at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism.
Informality in correspondence has also been attributed to the text messaging.
When you get an e-mail
and I have
(that reads) 'Hey! I have a question!' G? It's just not respectful
said Marilyn Greenwald, a journalism professor at Scripps.
Simone Savannah, a junior studying English and creative writing, works as a tutor at the Student Writing Center in Alden Library, where she has seen an influx of texting-related errors in students' writing.
I see it especially with commas
Savannah said, and incomplete thoughts
I think that's the biggest thing.
Despite local language problems, a 2006 study by the University of Toronto found that students' text messages show an understanding of grammar. Analyzing the text messages of 70 students, linguists found that the messages combined informal speech with the written rules of grammar.
Bobby Withers, a junior studying audio production, said that while he sends a large amount of text messages ' over 150 per day ' his formal writing remains grammatically sound.
His e-mails, however, carry the casual tone of his text messages, and he has to refrain from using the capitalizations and double contractions of his texting, Withers said.
According to a Nielsen study, the number of text messages sent and received in 2008 in the U.S. has increased 450 percent since 2006.
To avoid errors associated with texting, students should practice reading their essays aloud and writing several drafts, Savannah said.
Greenwald said that students should remember that the language of a text message is a different style from a professional e-mail with a professor.
Some professors also said that text messaging isn't the only factor in the decline of formal writing.
My untested theory is that students' lack of reading contributes more to grammar problems and poor vocabulary usage
Gerl said.
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