John McWhorter: TXTing is Killing Language
Before you watch
John Hamilton McWhorter V /məkˈhwɔːrtər/ is an American linguist with a specialty in creole languages, sociolects, and Black English. He is currently associate professor of linguistics at Columbia University, where he also teaches American studies and music history. He has also authored books on race relations and African-American culture.
Vocabulary notes
pragmatic particles help to structure the communication process and to embed utterances into their communicative context. They do not contribute to the propositional content of an utterance, but indicate the beginning, continuation and end of a turn, they can indicate a coherence break in the ongoing discourse, or signal the background or foreground status of a stretch of discourse
artifice — a clever trick or stratagem; a crafty device or expedient
mundane — common; ordinary; banal; unimaginative
While you watch
While watching, pay attention to the following words and expressions in context. Use them in your answers to the questions below and discussion.
- emergent complexity
- controversy
- unmonitored way
- fingered speech
- much loose/ much more telegraphic/ much less reflective
- marker of accommodation/ marker of empathy/ new information marker
- sophisticated
- expansion of linguistic repertoire
After you watch
Answer the questions:
- Does texting mean the death of good writing skills?
- What are the distinguishing features of casual speech?
Discuss in pairs:
- How does casual speech differ from the language of electronic communications?
- Do you think language will deteriorate in the era of the Internet?
VERBAL JOUST | Toolkit
01 | Positions
The two opposing claims students defend.
A: Effective diplomacy is built on persuasion rather than pressure.
B: Effective diplomacy requires firmness rather than accommodation.
02 | Argumentation Prompt
Develop two arguments to support your position. Provide reasoning and relevant examples. Anticipate the opposing side’s arguments and prepare rebuttals.
03 | Language Challenge
Use at least four expressions from the Vocabulary Bank. At least one expression should be used to challenge or rebut your opponent’s argument.
04 | Printable Worksheet
Download the Verbal Joust worksheet →