Short message service (SMS) language and written language skills : educators’ perspectives

Abstract

SMS language is English language slang, used as a means of mobile phone text
\nmessaging. This practice may impact on the written language skills of learners at
\nschool. The main aim of this study was to determine the perspectives of Grade 8 and
\n9 English (as Home Language) educators in Gauteng regarding the possible influence
\nof SMS language on certain aspects of learners’ written language skills. If
\nan influence was perceived by the educators, their perceptions regarding the degree
\nand nature of the influence were also explored. A quantitative research design,
\nutilising a questionnaire, was employed. The sample of participants comprised 22
\neducators employed at independent secondary schools within Gauteng, South Africa.
\nThe results indicated that the majority of educators viewed SMS language as having
\na negative influence on the written language skills of Grade 8 and 9 learners. The
\ninfluence was perceived as occurring in the learners’ spelling, punctuation, and
\nsentence length. A further finding was that the majority of educators address the
\nnegative influences of SMS language when encountered in written tasks.