Should we stop using txt?

[Robyn :)]

Its becoming more common now, especially for younger people to use text when they are talking to friends, sms, msn, ect. As a young person myself, i am finding it increasingly hard to write 'normally' with no text language at all. Should we stop using text language all together for the sake of the english language? Or is it just our language developing into a quicker and easier form, which is how language is developed naturally?

[violet chevasco]

I also agree wih Luke. As I belong to another generation I cannot get used to the shortened form and I tend to text using normal English instead of its abbreviated form. I love the sound of words which I can hear as I write. I could not bear to lose what we already have, be it English, Spanish or any other language

[Chukwuma]

I agree with Luke and am honestly not that worried about the threat that texting poses to the English Language (call me an optimist but I think it'll survive). The danger might be to the language skills of "heavy" texters, those for whom texting constitutes a significant part of their literary output (or input). If, on the other hand, you're doing a lot of other reading and writing a few text messages laden with contractions are unlikely to do any permanent damage.

[Luke Rowett]

Just a short, not particularly indepth reply, but it is my view that the simplification of language can only result in the simplification of it's use. As words become compressed and skipped, the possibilities available to us decrease. There will always be multiple ways to say one thing, but we risk at some point, being able to list them comprehensively.

There is hope however - I don't think that text speak exists as the epic threat it is often thought of, give most people a pen and paper, tell them it's important, and they'll write 'screw you' not 'skrw u'.