Use of text language in exams

''Exam Markers have expressed concerns over the use of text messaging language in exam answers.

The proof of its increased usage came when a 13-year-old Scottish schoolgirl handed in an essay written completely in text message shorthand, much to the bemusement of her teacher.

One extract said: ''My smmr holds wr CWOT. B4, we used 2go2 MY 2C my bro, his GF & thr3 :- kids FTF. ILNY, it's a gr8 plc.''

Can you translate the above passage? R U a txt addict? Do you think txting is killing off the English language? R is it jst gr8 tkn 2 m8s?

YOUR COMMENTS

The English language has survived and adapted through many attempts to supplant it over the centuries. Indeed the very thing that makes English such a powerful and flexible language is that over the centuries it has adopted and borrowed from other languages. English as we no it know is quite different from 200 years ago, which in turn was quite differnt from 500 years ago. Shakespeare himself was responsible for introducing many new words. So unlike other languages English has survived and become so dominant through evolution. Therefore txt msging may or may not influence it in the long term, but history has shown us that any elements adopted will only serve to expand the flexibilty and ease of the language.
Perry, UK

Languages are invented for people to communicate. It is always better when a language is convenient to use, and is effective in delivering one's thought. Another key factor is that costs involved in communication cannot be too high. It is inevitable for us to ''speak'' in this way via a machine, to save time... We'd better invent better machines which can translate abbreviated words that we key in back into real words to the recipient.
Steve, Hong Kong''



I chose to use this extract from a BBC debate about whether text message language is ruining the use of the English language as i think that is is very interesting to see how different people from different backgrounds opinionate on this subject. I also like the fact that the Author used text talk when he was talking about the subject, as the focus of this article is to do with using shorthanded words that are prodominantly used within text messaging. I agree with the point that text talk is ruining the English Language to some extent as i beleive the main of this generation have started to use text talk and slip it into their work where it should not be used. I beleive that it is acceptable to use text talk where appropriate, e.g. in casual conversation, but it should be kept to that and not feature in a place such as exams or coursework or other official documents.