Textspeak: Language or Not?

Alfred Stieglitz(1917), Photograph of Micel Duchamp's Fountain (1917). Retrieved 19 April, 2010 from: http://www.toutfait.com/issues/volume2/issue_4/music/betancourt/popup_8.html

Language is not a static system. It has been changed in accordance with shifted way of thinking, living and working in the human history. Even now there could be some linguists who exert themselves in order to coin new words (especially in technology areas) while some words are in the way of extinction. Likewise textspeak can be regarded as a new phase of language reflected by needs of people in today.


I think it is more attractive to young generations no matter what language it is. That's because many young Korean people prefer to use textspeak rather than orthographically correct words. I think these features of textspeak appeal to its users.

• take less effort to use by shortening words
  
• feel more comfortable because standard assessment can't be applied


• have more freedom by coining it in their own way

However there is an interesting point in textspeak. Textspeak necessiate some extent of phonological/phonetic awareness in order to coin or decipher it for the users. Even though it looks like there is no consistent rule in using textspeak, it requires complicate linguistic rules to its users.


This aspect of textspeak, I think, is similar to Marcel Ducham's artwork fountain. Marcel Duncham put this readymade urinal in his exhibition , which brough a dispute to people whether it is an art or not. The key issue is where creativity of the artist is in the fountain. The creativity lies in interpreting the artwork instead of making something new. Likewise textspeak seems to be the urinal in the exhibition because it requires logical thinking to use textspeak as language as if audiences need creative thinking to interpret the urinal as art.


However, the use of textspeak without linguistic awareness needs to be prevented. That's because it will destroy and deteriorate the systematic rules in language.


Thus I think children should acquire appropriate language at first. Once they can be aware the systematic rules in languae after learning linguistic information, then they can enjoy using textspeak by applying informed linguistic knowledge.

Danger of majority rule of collective intelligence

According to wikipedia, collective intelligence can be defined as " a shared or group intelligence that emerges from collaboration and competition of many individuals and appears in a wide variety of forms of consensus decision making" (Wikipedia).

I think this is one of the best methods that apply constructivism in teaching and learning environment. Because everyone can participate in both learning and teaching by sharing their knowledge.

However, I want to look at the weak point of this wonderful method. (Because I believe recognising weak points is the startingpoint of development for the better phase.)

Collective intelligence is supposed to make a decision which can be accepted and agreed to most of individuals in the group. That means the statement consented by majority of group would be decided as a truth.
Here is my question :
"What if only one person knows the truth and the rest of people believe their wrong answers are correct?"
Then the consensus would be made by the majority group with the belief "the more, the better". And the wrong statement would become a truth with the help of majority rule.

I have thought about this problem and these are my possible solutions.
People need to be critical about their understanding even though it is regarded as truth thanks to the consensus by many people. The hypothesis supported by many people does not necessarily mean that it's true.
And the person who is in minority group and strongly believes that his/her ideas are right should develop the belief enough to persuade the others rather than giving them up.

Then the collective intelligence can be validated and reliable qualitatively as well as quantitively.

Being a specialist blogger

Today is Monday, which is the last day before the weekly assignment.
I realise that I am quite passive in making my blog.
So I have decided to become an expert on blog creating from now on.
Because I am aware of the importance of computer technologies in teaching.
If I am reluctant to keep up with the changes of teaching tools, I will be stuck in my old habits.
That's why I have decided to change my attitudes towards technologies.
First of all, I will have my blog set as the home page on my laptop.
This will remind me every time when I turn on the laptop to create a new entry.
And I will write in my online diary about my journey of becoming a specialist blogger.
That can help me update new postings.
This is the promise that I have to make to myself.
I hope I will keep the promise and I'll be confident at blogging at the end of this semester.

Disadvantage & Advantage of Web 2.0

Personally I don't like working with computer. There is no special reason. I think I am one of the digital immigrants. Maybe I could be someone who is just trying to immigrate to the digital world. But I can understand the powerful effects and fascination of web 2.0. My works on the web can be published to the world with the help of existing software. That makes me feel like I did something and became someone. But still I have to depend on the software to make blogs unless I'm the best computer programmer. Maybe that's one of the reasons why I do not like working with computers. Besides, I have to update often. Otherwise it will be left behind and look like just garage with out of fashion stuffs.

But the power of blog is amazing. In Korea, there are some people called 'power blogger'. They can make big money from posting advertisements because these blogs are very popular. People go to the blogs to find and share information. Likewise blog can be a very good virtual place to communicate regardless of location, age, and time. So it might be helpful to reduce prejudice that can occur in person-to-person situation.

Social Constructivism in Education

I believe every human being has his/her own ability. It could be in the area of commerce, arts, or science. That means eveyone can be a teacher in their field. At the same time, everyone can be a student out of their area. That's why people need to learn from each other . By respecting other's ability as well as mine, human can acquire truthful learning. I think that's the most valuable points of social constructivism in education.