Take it easy with the emojis
These days, lots of people like using emojis, but this has a bad effect on their language skills. Very often people don't use complete sentences while texting. To save time, they usually use abbreviations or emojis, so proper grammar is neglected. If people get used to these methods, they won't be able to think or write complete sentences.
Their vocabulary will suffer, because they won't be able to remember many words if they always use emojis to communicate, especially now that they use emojis to replace entire sentences.
As texting replaces phone calls, people's speaking and listening skills have diminished. Now, some are scared to talk with others, and start stammering when they do.
Leung Sze-nga, Our Lady of the Rosary College
From the Editor
Thank you for your letter, Sze-nga. One of the amazing things about language is that it changes over time. Words develop new meanings, or new words are invented.
But one of the downsides is, as you say, that people get lazy. Emoticons are an easy way to express a feeling, but it can mean that people lose the vocabulary to say what they are feeling when actually speaking to someone in person.
Text talk and emojis make instant messaging quick and easy, but it is very unlikely that they will be used in formal situations any time soon. Whatever job you do when you grow up, you will give and receive instructions in formal written or spoken language. Your boss won't send a string of smilies telling you what to do.
Writing full sentences to your friends (at least in emails, if not in texts) is useful for practising communication skills. Even if you never have to write in your future career, you will almost certainly have to speak to people, and being able to structure thoughts with proper words - not tiny pictures - will benefit you.
Karly, deputy editor