Standardization of English language spellings used in textism: A viewpoint of undergraduate learners in Pakistan

Tahira Munir

doi:10.34069/AI/2022.57.09.2

Tahira Munir Central Punjab University, Lahore. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9971-1106

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34069/AI/2022.57.09.2

Keywords: Communication, Morphology, Social media slang, Spelling structure, Texting.

Abstract

The purpose of this quantitative research is to explore the perspective of students in Pakistan if they prefer the English language standard spellings to be changed in accordance with the texting spelling structures for properly matching pronunciation with spellings. A sample size of 100 students was randomly selected from among the undergraduates of colleges in Lahore; 50 male students and 50 females. Using a questionnaire, students were asked about their opinion if a particular set of spellings used in texting becomes formally accepted; which spellings they would prefer if given a choice; if learning and mastering the English language be improved with this advancement; and if they find the same spelling and pronunciation mismatch in their own language too. The texting word forms included words from the category of short forms and vowel deletion. Using SPSS, the responses were evaluated and the hypotheses were tested. The results show that students hold the same firmness as the other language trainers and researchers i.e. the preservation and correct practice of standard English language, and that SMS slang does not interfere with the standard norms of English language.

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Author Biography

Tahira Munir, Central Punjab University, Lahore.

PhD student of Linguistics at Minhaj University Lahore, and lecturer at University of Central Punjab, Lahore.

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