This essay will explore the relationship between our spoken language and the language we use when we communicate via text messaging. My theory is that the words we write and the way we speak influence each other to the extent that each form of expression influences the other in a continuous loop. I am going to show how we use different devices when we speak and text and show similarities and differences between them.
In text communication, we use abbreviations for several reasons depending on who,when and why we are using them. For example, generally, when friends are contacting each other via text at 10 o’clock at night the last thing they would probably want to do is to write the word “you” and instead would write the letter “u”. This is known as a homophone which is used when people are talking informally to each other. A homophone is an abbreviation of the original word but still sounds and means the same. We use it as it is shorter than writing the same word but still means the same. People in text communication usually start off the conversation (particularly amongst young people) with “wuu2”. “Wuu2” means “what are you up to?” and we can only use them when we know the person well and we are familiar with them. This links into how text communication influences spoken language as we have now carried over abbreviations that were originally created through texting (and wouldn’t be here without it) into spoken communication, and we constantly use them day in day out, and sometimes without even noticing.
In spoken language, we use paralinguistic features to add further information that cannot be relayed with just the spoken language. We use this feature when we try to show something that we are emotionally attached to and/or have a very strong opinion on, and no matter how much we shout or try to show what we mean we cannot do it unless the paralinguistic features are added. An example of this is when you are asking your parents for a new item you would show the desperation of how much and badly you want the new thing you would go onto your knees and you use the hand gesture of please by placing your palms together. This therefore, puts the other person in power with a decision of whether you merit it or not and whether the effort of showing the desperation is worth it. Paralinguistic features are essential to spoken language and without them we would then struggle to project the true meaning of our spoken language. This links into how spoken language has influenced text communication as emojis are the paralinguistic equivalent of spoken language’s paralinguistic features.
In text communication and spoken language we use repetition for emphasis in both forms and exaggeration of a point. In text communication, we sometimes use repetition to show something is funny when we use “ha ha ha ha” or “lol” meaning “laugh out loud”. This would imply that should the two or more people in a text conversation be standing face to face the person writing “ha ha ha ha” would be laughing and potentially laughing a lot. The reason why Arbies, my classmate, and myself used repetition is to illustrate emphasis on each of our points. In Arbies’ case when he says, “Look at the table. Look at the table”, he used it to show how low Chelsea were in the league table. Arbies was trying to show his argument was the most convincing and the best non-rebuttable point. These examples could also be an exaggeration as a form of emphasising a point is through exaggeration. It is really easy to use exaggeration to back up or emphasise your point without even knowing. In spoken communication, we use repetition to show the other person that no matter what point you throw back at them, their point will always be correct and there are no counter arguments. This would show dominance in a conversation and leads onto my next point about agenda-setting in a conversation and people showing dominance over one another.
Agenda-setting is the most widely used form of spoken language and the one that people seem to distinguish the least. The reason for this is that it is usually embedded into any conversation and is quite difficult to pick out when you are analysing a conversation between two or more people. Agenda-setting is when a person in a conversation sets the topic of a sentence and can change it whenever he or she feels like it. This is a usually a sign of dominance in a conversation but yet it’s extremely difficult for one person to set the agenda no matter what. Nowadays, conversations amongst the younger generation could potentially be likened to a football match. One team usually dominates more than the other but there are times when the other team starts dominating for periods, and that is what defines a conversation. The more dominant speaker in general starts off a conversation by setting the agenda but that can be quite difficult for the less dominant person acknowledge. When the football is on at the weekend you will get back to school already knowing that will be the topic of debate. On one hand, you have got the person who ends up being less dominant for whatever reason, would have to stand there and bear the points that are being put forward. On the other hand, the person who is more dominant can express themselves and it is able to set the first challenging points across to the other person.
In both spoken language and text communication we use idiomatic phrases to relay a figurative meaning from literal words which do not mean that. An example of an idiom is when one person is wishing good luck to another person for a competition they would say “break a leg”. The literal meaning is to break your leg but in the figurative meaning of the phrase is to wish someone good luck. In spoken communication idioms were used as a form of hidden messages to say certain stuff to people without others outside of the group knowing what it means. In a certain friendship you would say stuff to each other that would be offensive to people outside that connection but amongst you you would understand that it is not offensive. Same with text communication we use idioms that are only linked with a certain group of people and we are also use worldwide idioms. Yet, idioms which use the same words mean two different things.
To conclude, the words we write and the way we speak influence each other to the extent that each form of expression influences the other in a continuous loop. In spoken language, we use idiomatic phrases to reveal hidden messages, agenda-setting accidentally, repetition to exaggerate a point and paralinguistic features. In text communication we also use idiomatic phrases, repetition and abbreviations to for several reasons depending on who,when and why we are using them. This cycle of events are used all day, everyday and help contribute to today’s society. This loop will go on forever and forever and they will always help to change each other.
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