OMG! Text Speak Doesn’t Cause Bad Spelling or Grammar!

A new study conducted by Kaplan International Colleges has found that 63% of English learners do not believe that using “text speak” is having a negative effect on their grammar or spelling despite the fact that some students use it while writing essays and exams. Text speak , or SMS language, are the reductions or shortenings of  English words and phrases used in electronic communication. In case you are not familiar with it, here are some examples:

• BRB (Be right back) means I’ll be right back. Please wait a moment.

• LOL (Laughing out loud) means, what you said is so funny I am laughing very hard.

• CUL8R (see you later) means, goodbye, I’ll see you later

The survey showed that 63% of students surveyed thought their written English was not negatively effected, while  5% of those surveyed said that they use text speak when writing essays and 3% asserting that they use it during exams. The survey also discovered that 71% use text speak when texting on phones, 64% use it online and 14% actually use it while speaking out loud. I am often amazed when I hear people speaking text speak. A spokeswoman for Kaplan’s junior program said that while they would never recommend using text speak in formal written work, the students who take their junior English courses are skilled in the latest mobile devices so it is natural that they use it in everyday life. Ms. Anna Robinson said

about English

What's up?

It's not bad... for what it is.

There's a small, cheap pizza shop across the street from your apartment. A friend is visiting you and asks if their food is good. The food is not fancy, but it tastes OK. You answer like this.

It's not bad... for what it is.

The pen is mightier than the sword

Meaning: Words and communication are more powerful and can have a more lasting effect than war and fighting.

Examples: 1. If you force people to do something, they will always resist. Persuasion is much more powerful. The pen is mightier than the sword!

7 Useful Idioms

I have a cup of joeevery morning.

IDIOM #1: a cup of joe 

• How to use it:  You can buy, drink, make, etc a cup of joe.
• Explanation: Joe is a slang word for coffee and so a cup of joe means a cup of coffee.

Taking Things Out of Context

“Taking something out of context” is a great phrase and it’s a bit of a “high level” phrase. The “context” in which you say something is the situation in which you say it.  Context is things like where, when, to whom, what were the other factors going on when you said it. When you take what someone said “out of context“, you are just saying a part of the story, usually to make the person look bad.  It doesn’t give the full story.