I go back to visit Japan quite often lately (2-3 times/year), and yet every time I am back I am just amused by how the cellphone technology is rapidly advancing there. Now you can watch TV in those cellphones, which even don’t cost much to get.
As text messaging is also very common there and even my own mother (60+) now sends her friends long messages full of emoticons (serious), I wondered whether educators over there talk about the side effects of those advancements on people’s language (especially writing) skills as people here do. And what I noticed is, whereas I do hear about people blaming computers (Internet and e-mail) affecting people’s abilities to write well, they don’t necessarily blame cell phone messaging. Why is that?
As I communicated with my friends using my father’s cellphone while I was there, I noticed something. No one abbreviates common words (e.g. from the ‘where r u?’ type to ‘LOL’ and all that) like people here do to save on typing effort, not because Japanese people are more consciencious but because of a feature with the input software common with any phone. Very roughly speaking, basically what it does is when you type the first letter of a word (say ‘b’) the phone provides a list of possible continuations automatically (is that ‘be’, ‘best’, ‘blue’…?) and all you have to do is to choose what you need from there. Of course if what you want is not there, you can choose to ignore the list and keep typing letters. Even better, the phone remembers what you wanted from a certain beginning and offers those first when you type the same letter the next time (‘You wanted ‘beautiful’ the other time. Do you want to say it again?’). This way, there is no need to make much effort to compose a nice long text message in Japanese. I don’t think I had to type a word in full when I was there the last time.
Of course, I am simplifying the story and this is not a unique feature with the cellphone technology (this tool has a long history going back to the days of word processors because of the characteristics of the Japanese writing system), but I was amused by this little realization. If more cellphones here had this function, would it have prevented some students from forgetting to spell out what ‘r’ or ‘u’ stand for in their essays?
Yukiko,
Many US cell phones have that feature which allows you to type first letter of a word and receive a list of possible options to choose from. I found it by chance and it is quite hidden, so check your US phone. You might just have it too! Happy texting!
BTW, texting is referred to as "Sms" (Short Message Service) in Poland and Germany and I think France, too.
Agnieszka,
Really!? I didn't know that. (shows how low-tech I am…thanks for letting me know!)
My phone doesn't have it, unfortunately. I just assumed, because people love those phones (like 'side-kick') that have a minuture whole keypads, they always type in the whole thing.
So I guess this is not really about the cellphones, but the way the Japanese writing system works (which requires conversion of certain words from phonetic letters to chinese characters)…
By the way, I wanted to add that the convenience of this conversion system does have an effect of people's deteriorating language skills in Japan (in terms of vocabulary and skills in writing chinese characters…).
Although this method of texting which is sometimes referred to as T9word in the U.S. is simple and quick to use, it has a huge impact on the way students use language to communicate in school. Are people taking technology to a point where language skills are becoming ancient and unimportant???
The texting format you have spoken about is known as ‘Predictive Texting’. This is becoming more and more popular. This gives the cellphone user a chance to use standard language practically and quickly. The younger audience who use expect to use a lot of informal abbrieviations generally prefer it because it makes things simpler, it basically comes down to being lazy. Linguists who are concerned about technology evolving standard language are pleased with this because it stops the text language and keeps everything standard and ‘correct’.
However, many people still prefer to use text language a sis shortens the amount of characters so that the message can be as small as possible so that it does not run into a second (or if its a really long text, third or fourth) text and saves money.
You commented on the Japanese being more concerned about the impact of computing on standard language. You may notice with newer internet servers that the spelling and grammar check you find on programmes like Microsoft Word Processor is being used on the internet, so that when the user is chatting away on their social network (like facebook, myspace or whatever) those annoying green and red lines pop up under mispelt words. This may not affect those patient people, but most people get frustrated with the lines and either use the spell check to correct their text or just stop using their abbrieviations. If this becomes mroe popular it will probally lessen the effect of technology on standard languag further, which may be an interesting thing to watch out for.
I thank the texting is convising when peple are to bissy to awer thier fhones/\. some of them use it for contacting people in a way that the will get what they needed to get a cross, Some people use to for comecation if they cant talk at all. some may have a promble taling sometimes or can’t talk at hall even if they can or can’t or can talk.
I have lost my hearing and texting is my only option in a cell phone. I will be spending 2 weeks in Japan and wish to rent a phone with text capabilities so I can text my husband if we get separated. Is this possible and whom should I see about renting a texting cell phone short term when we arrive? Any suggestions appreciated.