CLaSic LitRatur
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Written By Reprise Media | November 17, 2005 | Share This
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“Evry1confuzd-bothLuvrs kil Emselves”
Is this: A. Classic literature, B. Hip hop lyrics, C. Something written on the notebook of a tortured teen?
If you guessed “A” you’d be correct (it’s the ending of Romeo & Juliet).
Some of history’s greatest works of literature are being pared down to a few lines of SMS text in an effort to help students prepare for exams.
Does distilling critical plot elements into such a small amount of words go against the spirit of classic literature? Not so, says Professor John Sutherland of University College London:
“Whilst some may argue that Dickens is really too big a morsel to be swallowed by text, the Great Inimitable himself began working life as a short hand writer. He would, I suspect have approved of the brevity if nothing else.”
BBC News has the full (short) story.
Topics: Media Convergence |