Amen. I'd learn and use text messaging language if I thought it would prevent teen pregnancy, help kids manage their asthma or serve some other good purpose.

But it probably wouldn't -- at least not coming from a 43-year-old woman. When grown-ups try to talk or write like teenagers, we usually come across...like grown-ups trying to act like teenagers. Pathetic and comical, in other words. (Hang on, I think that's my Justin Timberlake ringtone...)


Anyway, that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to reach our intended audience as clearly and effectively as possible, using whatever method or language is most likely to result in the desired positive behavior change. Even if it means relaxing the rules of correct grammar. Like, say, writing in incomplete sentences.

If we're writing educational materials for consumers, we have to consider what's at stake and who we're talking to. Oops...I mean, to whom we're talking.

-----Original Message-----
From: healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Jan Potter
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:01 PM
To: healthliteracy at nifl.gov
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 2014] Re: Wednesday Question: Writing how wetalk:better or

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

 

This Email is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521 and may be legally privileged. The information contained in this Email is intended only for use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient, please destroy the email after advising by reply that you erroneously received this.  If applicable, the receipt by anyone other than the designated recipient does not waive the attorney-client privilege, nor will it constitute a waiver of the work-product doctrine. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete this message and notify us via e-mail to (PHA at gha.org <mailto:PHA at gha.org> )

 


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