Pages: (90-107 )
Abstract
This paper investigates the power of text messaging among the undergraduate students of Adeleke University. It aims at investigating the influence of texting on Standard English Language. Using purposive random sampling technique based on Halliday (2018), Systemic Functional Theory, the paper carried out a qualitative as well as quantitative analysis of 200 text messages retrived from private chart of 22 students. Findings showed though text messaging is perceived as being quick and inexpensive, personal and non-intrusive, and having a distinct writing style, it is filled with inconsistencies that threaten the right interpretation of the intended contents, the paper thus concludes that text message language can sometimes encourage sloppy and lazy attitudes, which is irksome because those habits can regress into sheer ignorance. The paper recommends that in any formal discourse scenario, educators should enforce conventional spelling norm. This is required because English language specialists and teachers are becoming increasingly concerned about the widespread usage of non-deliberate misspelling, which suggests inefficiency and overall slippage on the part of students.
Keywords: Language Use, SMS,