AS Language and Technology

I h8 txt msgs: How texting is wrecking our language by John Humphrys

I agree with the majority of this article on the fact that it is changing the way we speak, especially younger people who may not know better, or how the original language was. I think the abbreviations such as 'tks' for thanks and 'u' for 'you' is extremely derogatory and degrading for our generation, and creates this judgement of people that they are actually that dumb, when in reality, they are just too sluggish to write out the entire word.
Personally, I use proper English when typing because it's hard to understand what half of these abbreviations mean, and it takes more time to actually work it out rather than type words. Also, I find that using these contracted forms make you look common and quite stupid, which is why the majority of people that I know don't actually do it. So I think it's a bit unfair to say that the changes in the dictionary are solely to be blamed on texting, as it's just adapting; but texting and technology is guilty.

Cn u txt? by John Sunderland

This article is too shallow minded to agree with, it's feeble-minded and it has a very closed view on the way we type, and generalises the whole of our generation to talk like that. Personally, I have never actually seen a conversation like that being applied in real life, only the fickle mind of the writer here. The whole point here is to discuss how often these dumbed down alternate forms are actually being used, and therefore be realistic here, but this article exaggerates it alot, stereotyping us alot.

2b or not 2b by David Crystal

I agree with this article more because it contradicts the last two articles that are too exaggerated on the stereotypes that the young are the people who mostly use texting, that it is infact not just for the younger generation, and the fact that calling people is a rare event these days. I agree with the fact that people may text too much, I think calling should be used more often, but the problem is that the population of these rich countries, such as the UK, simply do not have the time to call anymore, being a very business associated country. Texting only takes a matter of seconds, and you can do it anywhere without hassling other people, which calling may do, and can be extremely disruptive. Calling is also limiting, you cannot curse or use any even slightly offensive language on the phone because of course, it may offend someone. The appeal of texting is how private and free it can be, which is good in the way that allows people to express themselves more, but may encourage youngsters to become profane.
I also agree with the article when it states that people are taking this way too seriously, and texting/new technology cannot solely be blamed for the modernisation of the language. Why are people only becoming agitated now? As the article also states, these abbreviations have been used for a long time, even the well known IOU which has been dated back to 1618 and the Dictionary of Abbreviations 1942 which had modern abbreviations in it before texting was even invented, which means it is clearly evident that texting is not the only excuse, the main factor probably just being the ever-changing society, which we may be adding to, but are not the only cause.

Blog Article (Twitter)

Follow me, maybe.
Or don't! You'll get addicted anyway. There's no escaping the social network giant which is already looming over the majority of us.

The social community has taken us by storm; a storm which will blow your mind. For those of you who do not know, Twitter is a website designed for people to post their updates of the most interesting kind; what they're doing right now. Of course, you can't avoid this; like Facebook, you can access it anywhere, it's available on all platforms of technology (as if we don't have enough to try and avoid on this technology) and literally anyone can access your profile or "tweets" How fun!

"There are 100 million active Twitter users, 50% of these users log in every day" says the 20 Illuminating facts about Twitter: 2012 edition article. Looks like people are literally becoming addicted by this monster being forced upon us, with more joining everyday. The scary thing is you don't even have to send a request to someone to see their profile, unless their privacy settings are otherwise changed, anyone can be eyeing up your updates, anyone can follow you. I mean, do you really want random strangers following you and seeing your every move? It's not socially acceptable in real life, so why is it virtually okay? It sounds like a demented horror movie to me.

Of course, there are financial benefits to this system. From the Guardian article, S Bowers states "Twitter, which is tipped for an $11bn (£7.3bn) stock market flotation in New York, has filed small company accounts in Britain, reporting retained profits last year of just £92,408" which to me, sounds like a big contribution to our worsening economy.

Personally, despite the economically beneficial scheme, I seem to find myself agreeing with S Johnson from The TIME article "How Twitter Will Change the Way We Live", in thinking to myself, "Why does the world need this, exactly?"

What do you think? Are you hooked on followers? Post your comments!

Bibliography 
Johnson, S (05/06/09) How Twitter Will Change the Way We Live article in TIME magazine (accessed 20/10/13)

Collier, S (16/07/12) 20 illuminating facts about Twitter: 2012 edition article on PR Daily (accessed 20/10/13)

Bowers, S (05/07/13) Twitter UK reports retained profits of less than £100,000 Guardian article (accessed 20/10/13)

Travel writing - Rush of New York

Taxi here. Taxi there. Taxi everywhere. I arrived at the airport, with a slightly false smile and damaged self esteem, I thought first class was supposed to be good? Tell that to the delays and derogatory mountains of people all scrambling to the beds. Of course, New York would all make up for this right? Well turns out, New York is called 'the city that never sleeps' for a reason, I thought this was positive, until I saw how many taxi drivers really are profane and extremely ill mannered. You see, I found this leaflet; 'You'll enjoy every aspect of this magnificent city. The Statue of Liberty was originally French, and the Empire State building is 443 metres tall, so maybe YOU can tell us how the weather really is up there!" This sounded promising to me.
First port of call was of course the Statue of Liberty, the original French monument sounded perfect for me. I love history, and all things French! Turns out, this place is just a magnet for tacky souvenirs and annoying tourists throwing their cameras in people's faces. I mean, how many angles of something can you take a picture of? Would have been nice to see the statue without some form of body part in the way.
Next place was the Empire State building, which I had even higher hopes for. I didn't even get to it before all these police cars and ambulances were flying past, like some sort of natural disaster had happened. I got closer, and saw a minuscule figure at the top, finally something exciting! Not the good kind of exciting, of course. So, they got this person down and I got a chance to get to the top - not something worth waiting for! The experience proved to be a disappointing waste of time, all I've had is tourists clinging to me for a picture, taxis screeching into my ear with a brain melting force, and a view of the city, which wasn't the highlight. The highlight you ask? Going home!

Monologue

(Geoffrey is sat at home in the bedroom, he is sat in the armchair with a glass of wine)

I'm bored. I've tried so hard to satisfy Susan, but the most attention I get is from Mrs Smith from the shop down the road. I get the same food everyday and as much i'd like to, shall I say, spice up our life in the bedroom, she has none of it. She's not happy and neither am I. I want her to be involved in my spirituality, I want her to be involved with my status and I want her to be involved in my popularity. I do well in my job and everything I can to please both Susan and God - what if she's bored too? What if she doesn't understand mine and God's role in the community? Maybe I need to help her find God. She's left me no choice..

I met Mrs Belcher last night. She came over to discuss the Winter fete next month, and wanted to add a religious aspect to it. I'm delighted the people here are so into religion, except Susan of course. Mrs Belcher looked ravishing, wearing her pearl earrings which lit up her face, and her angelic blonde hair. Things got too far, and we had a little tiff. I feel so ashamed, but Susan looks so bored and displeased recently, and I am to, this is why i'm hoping to meet with this fine lady tomorrow eve. I hope God forgives me.

She should feel lucky. It's not my fault she's not appreciating my importance here, because I am of course the most essential ingredient to our community. I don't care if she's bored, I have loads of other ladies falling at my feet, I don't know how anyone could not like me.

Homework

This week i've learned..

Grammar
A phrase is a sentence, and always has a main word, otherwise known as a head word. It also includes a modifier which puts the head word into context, e.g gives us extra info on the head word.
Pre modifier- info before the head word.
Post modifier- info after the head word.

Noun phrases have a noun as the head word. e.g the beach.
Verb phrases have a verb as the head word and the rest of the phrase is made up of auxiliary (makes tense clear)
A clause is made up of a verb phrase and some other types of phrases:
Subject, verb, object, complement, adverbial.

Nouns
A noun can be split into 2 groups, a proper or common noun. From here, the common noun is split up into concrete, abstract and collective nouns.
Abstract noun is a concept/idea that you can't see. e.g thought.
Concrete noun is a thing you can see and touch. e.g chair.
Collective noun is a group of something. e.g swarm, government.

Voices
There are 2 voices you use in English:
An active voice emphasises the person doing an action. e.g the politician issued an apology.
A passive voice is based more on the actual object. e.g an apology was issued.

Lexis/semantics
Lexis are the words you use, and semantics are the actual meanings behind them.

Denotation- This is the exact description of what a word means, the literal meaning.
Connotation- Different context of the word, deeper meaning.

Idiom- A sentence which doesn't make sense when you think about it literally, and has a deeper meaning.

Final Task

Final task- interview to my younger self, as a 16 year old.

Q- Is there anything you've regretted, and if so, any advice to your younger self?
A- I regret not being more confident, if I had the confidence, i'd be alot happier in myself, and would probably have more friends. My advice? Don't hold back, talk to new people and look after yourself, you'll be alot happier.

Q- Is there anything you wish you had not done?
A- Yeah, I wish I hadn't cut my hair, because now it will not grow!! Do not cut your hair!

Q- What would you change about your personality?
A- Well 1, I wish I was more confident as i've already stated. 2, I wish I was more motivated to succeed in more things, I don't have the motive to do it, and then I regret not doing well enough. 3, I wish I was more outgoing when it came to social events, my low confidence has stopped me from going to many places/doing things. Advice to my younger self, take every opportunity!

Q- Do you wish you were more academically successful?
A-Yeah, I wish I paid more attention in year 10 when it was all starting to get serious, I did well in my GCSE's, but I could have done alot better with more hard work.

P.s. Do not eat school dinner food in primary school, you will get food poisoning!

Phone Article

Mobile phone article - Persuasive article

I found a news article about the use of mobile phones in schools and the public. Should they be allowed in school? Are they causing more bad than good?
This article stresses how much of an annoyance mobile phones can be in public, how they're loud, obnoxious and disrespectful when it comes to using them when you're not supposed to, also how it can provoke crude profanity amongst teenagers.
However it also addresses the other side of the argument, how they can be extremely useful in times of emergency, and can potentially save lives.

The article is all serious, telling us the dangers of using mobile phones, about how they can 'brainwash' us and swiftly push us into a new age of technology. On the other hand, the article engages the reader through personal addressing, and throws you head first into a scenario which may leave you undecided of the consequences of these 'annoyances'.

The scenario in question is a rainy day, you're driving along a highway and a driver crashes into you. After you're done spinning out, you reach for your mobile phone, battling the pain of a broken leg, and a searing pain through your neck. But this phone could save your life, and someone else's. The phone could literally be the difference between life or death.
Are they still a nuisance?

Using this scenario personally addresses the reader and engages them into the article, making it seem like the article was specifically made for them, and then wanting to read on. It also gives quotes from people who now want a mobile phone because they thought of that scenario, which would leave the reader thinking; what about if they were in that situation too?

The end of the article changes your mind yet again, saying one teenager sends 345 text messages a day, quoting that "it's like a game of ping-pong, as you send one and you have no choice but to send one back" could you be hooked too?

You decide!