Is text messaging corrupting English? There are common theories that believe text messaging is destroying the standard English language. In a short article “2b or not 2b,” author David Crystal condemns these theories and claims that texting can actually improve literacy skills. He argues that an individual must actually know the standard language before he can begin using alternative or abbreviated forms. Crystal emphasizes the point: “Although many users like to break linguistic rules, they also know that they need to be understood. There is no point in paying to send a message if it breaks so many rules that it ceases to be intelligible” ( 337). Explain that texting is just another form of communication; therefore, the language will not diminish or be destroyed. Although students' literacy is essentially unaffected by their difficulty in SMS language, they need specific instruction on when it is appropriate to use SMS language and when it is necessary to use the correct methods of Standard English. Having personal experience with texting, I am able to confirm Crystal's claim that texting can benefit language and improve reading and writing skills. Crystal discusses several studies on the relationships between texting and literacy in preadolescent children. Crystal's findings revealed that “The more abbreviations in the messages, the higher the score on reading and vocabulary tests. Children who were better at spelling and writing used the most texts. And the younger they got their first phone, the higher their scores will be.” (345). His findings support his view that texting actually improves literacy; states “Children could not be good at texting if they had not already developed considerable... half of the paper ......provided that his arguments could be valid. Unlike the "2b or not 2b" article, Crystal has research evidence and can validate that texting and shortening words does not diminish language itself, and the younger generation of children who had cell phones at a young age scored better in the test. I agree with Crystal that conventional language will not be destroyed by the language used in SMS. The idea that texting improves literacy skills is logical. Using basketball as an example, I distinguish that you have to know the standard way before you can do it a different way. Furthermore, abbreviations have been around for a long time, the language has not already been destroyed and will not be destroyed now because the medium has changed. Texting will not destroy language; it's simply the modern means of communication and language is actually evolving.