Apparently, science has spoken, and I am not impressed with the conclusion. I recently came across an article that had me shaking my head. Then I did a full investigative deep dive into the subject matter. A linguist and author by the name of Gretchen McCulloch has determined that punctuation, at least in text messaging, is not only unnecessary, but can be offensive. According to her research, Generation Z (born roughly in the late 90s and early 2000s) and younger have a tendency to view punctuation in digital communication as passiveaggressive or even flat out aggressive.

This is not a new theory. Back in 2015, Binghamton University conducted a study that came to the same conclusion. According to the university’s psychology professor Celia Klin, punctuation can set an unintended tone because though texting functions as speech, it lacks the four elements of non-verbal communication — facial expressions, gestures, posture and tone of voice. Without these, words via digital means can be misinterpreted, and in this day and age, punctuation is playing a role.

The study at the time utilized undergraduate students. The students were asked various questions about text exchanges and their perceptions of the communications. One of the results showed that when a “yup” with a period was utilized (“yup.”) the responses that came were more negative than those received without the period. The explanation was that a period was perceived as less friendly and even at times less sincere. Some even felt that punctuation made them feel as though the sender was angry. Others stated that a period denotes finality and that there is no leniency.

So my question is, are we becoming sensitive or lazy? When did proper punctuation become an insult?

I recall being taught the importance of punctuation pretty much the entirety of my school career. Case in point: Let’s eat grandma! Let’s eat, grandma! Or I find inspiration in cooking my family and my dog. I find inspiration in cooking, my family and my dog. Now things have changed over time. Believe me, the struggle was real for me when I was told that the comma in a list before the word “and” is no longer necessary or that when typing, you no longer have to double space after the punctuation at the end of a sentence.

In my line of work, the rules are ever-changing and I find myself balking at some of the changes. However, the thought that a period, while useful in determining a statement versus a question, can hold the power to change someone’s perception of an entire conversation is pretty shocking.

Texting is my bread and butter. To all those who have called me and left me a voicemail, rest assured, I did eventually listen to it. I can’t guarantee it was in its entirety and I don’t know that it was as soon as I possibly could. More likely, I either called you right back before listening to it or I texted you and asked what you needed. Those who know me are not shocked by this admission.

Also, the transcription function for voicemails is the greatest addition to cellular phones for me since the alarm. As a writer, I also truly appreciate having a calculator with me at all times.

I have to ask, how much time does it really save to text “K” rather than “OK?” I’m not asking for full commas and semicolons here, but is the use of a period really that critical?

Full disclosure: I am not always the most grammarconscious person while texting. I’ve been known to send messages without punctuation or with slang, but I’d like to feel confident that when I am being grammatically correct, I won’t be considered rude.

We have life-changing technology at our fingertips. Our phones are these amazing devices that provide us with more than communication. They are one of the handiest and most time-saving devices created, and somehow, we have managed to allow them make us lazy rather capitalize on their convenience.

Granted, this is all coming from someone who makes their living with the written word, so maybe I’m a bit biased in the matter. However, it is worth noting that change does not always equal progress, and sometimes it rather denotes regression. In this case, back to kindergarten before we learned punctuation. Teri L. Hansen Reporter