Okay, okay.  I am not arguing for the use of text messaging.  I truly cannot stand it.  However, I am arguing in the case of health communication that we need to consider the audience before we get hung up on the correct grammar and syntax.

If I thought this kind of messaging was more likely to produce a specific health outcome in a certain demographic, I would go for it in a New York minute.  The point is not how literate I am.  The point is making people healthier.

Jan

-----Original Message-----
From: Seubert, Douglas [mailto:seubert.douglas at marshfieldclinic.org] 
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:23 AM
To: Jan Potter; healthliteracy at nifl.gov
Subject: Re: [HealthLiteracy 2009] Re: Wednesday Question: Writing how we talk:better or

PMJI
what r u saying? 
we need to gwtf cuz textin is da bomb
RUS?
u make it sound like it's E123. 
I'm LSHMBA :)


um i checked the "List of Chat Acronyms & Text Message Shorthand" (http://www.netlingo.com/emailsh.cfm) and didn't see no health terms listed. 

IANAE but i don't think this is gonna work
TTYL


Doug Seubert
Quality Improvement & Care Management
Family Health Center/Community Heath Access

Marshfield Clinic
1000 N Oak Avenue
Marshfield, WI 54449
www.marshfieldclinic.org/quality

(715) 387-5096 (1-800-782-8581 ext. 75096)
seubert.douglas at marshfieldclinic.org

------Original Message------
From:	"Jan Potter" <jpotter at gha.org>
Date:	Tue May 20, 2008 -- 09:54:39 AM
To:	healthliteracy at nifl.gov
Subject:	[HealthLiteracy 2009] Re: Wednesday Question: Writing how we talk:better or wors

I believe in using correct grammar and syntax - in fact, I am obnoxiously passionate about it.  I teach in what is basically an engineering school and I am generally appalled by my students' writing.  However, I think that we need to consider the fact that the world is moving away from what we think of as a written form of communication.  These kids can send a text message in the time it takes me to figure out how to turn on my cell phone or PDA.  I can despise the idea that we are losing "our" method of effective communication, but I am wondering if perhaps we are missing the point.

 

They communicate and they do it on their terms.  I can force them to my terms, but exactly what is the point?  If we are trying to communicate, don't we want to do it on THEIR terms?  I am not so sure that there is a right or a wrong way here.  We need to be more concerned - particularly in a health setting - about whether they hear us and understand.  Text messaging English makes me crazy but they love it and it allows them to communicate rapidly and fairly clearly.  Good grammar and perfect syntax allows 2 very educated people to converse (and pat themselves on the back about how smart they are).

 

Too often we lose the meaning for the structure.

 

Jan Potter, MSTC

Communications Specialist

Partnership for Health and Accountability

770-249-4549

www.gha.org/pha <http://www.gha.org/pha>  

 

Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels.
  - Faith Whittlesey

 

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