We live in a text messaging world.
Many will tell you when most conversations should be held over text rather than a phone call, and since it first rose to prominence, experts have called the rise of texting the "downfall" of the English language.
However, it appears that some folks have changed their tune, and believe that texting is not only "ruining" the English language, it's "evolving" it.
Gretchen McCulloch, author of Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language, says that texting has developed its own rules and those rules tend to be rely heavily on context.
According to Scary Mommy, she says, "The old rules are these top-down, 'here's how you use an apostrophe,' 'here's how you use a semicolon' type of thing. The new rules are about: How are other people going to interpret your tone of voice? … The old rules are about using language to demonstrate intellectual superiority, and the new rules are about using language to create connection between people."
Apparently, these new rules and conventions include periods now being "aggressive," as many younger people may interpret as "sarcastic."
And not only has the language evolved because of texting, kids are now writing more than EVER because of texting!
McCulloch says kids are constantly expressing themselves through the written word "all the freaking time" because of text messaging, and despite the misuse of grammar and incorrect spelling of words, "that doesn't mean they 'can't write.'"
