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People banging away on their smartphones are fluently using a code separate from the one they use in actual writing, but a code it is, to which linguists are currently devoting articles.
John Mcwhorter
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote highlights the distinct language and communication style that people use while texting and engaging on smartphones, which differs from formal writing.

John McWhorter emphasizes that the way individuals communicate on smartphones has developed its own set of linguistic rules and codes. This evolution reflects the unique nature of digital communication, as it diverges from traditional writing standards, prompting linguists to study this new form of language as a legitimate linguistic phenomenon.

Themes

TextingCommunicationDigital LanguageSmartphonesLinguistics

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion on modern communication, you could quote McWhorter to illustrate how texting has created its own language.

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