By Kelly Chian ’16
While sifting through various social media sites, I see funny tweets and posts, but there’s one thing that bothers me the most: grammar. The one concept hated by most students, but essential to all writing. These days people are so used to loling or #yoloswagmoneying they don’t have time to view the importance of grammar.
When people misspell common words and make simple grammar mistakes, I want to introduce them to the new invention called a dictionary. We have become fluent in a new abbreviated language through texting and social media.
For those that haven’t passed first grade English, words called homonyms sound the same but are spelled differently. For example: to, too and two all have different definitions. Some other words in the English language are not so obviously different, but have similar sounds such as your versus you’re and then versus than. If stumped, google it on your smartphones instead of taking the perfect selfie for snapchat. No matter how similar these words seem, your intelligence decreases with each misused word.
Technology should be used to enhance grammar with easy access to the internet, not be a hinderance. These days we are able to communicate to people thousands of miles away in a matter of seconds and learn more about the world by a matter of a few taps, but the actual functions of a phone go away as the population only cares about passing the next level of candy crush or hitting a green pig with an angry bird.
Additionally, the English language has thousands upon thousands of words, but we choose a select few to take over our vocabulary. Swear words can bring emphasis to your status updates but also show your incompetence to find a word that truly describes the situation. Additionally, sentences like with excessive words and like overused words including like, gets like annoying. Poor ability in delivering the message you want to convey does not make you sound smart.
According to a study done by Wake Forest University and Penn State University, the more time spent texting lead to poorer scores on grammar tests. Most teenagers can’t find the switch between abbreviations and an English paper.
Instead of spending time texting, use it to learn more beneficial lessons, maybe even some grammar.
I know how most high school students have hundreds of pictures and tweets to read through, but sometimes it’s a good idea to pick up a book. Instead of picking up your phone to text your friends, using on an average three letters per word, go to the local library where they put the alphabet to more use than “lol.”