Opinions about text-messaging language

[ClaesGefvenberg]

I also spend a lot of time at another, work oriented forum with a much higher member average age. It should come as no big surprise then, that people there reacted a bit when a new (young) member posted his first question in a very abbreviated SMS style. Most of us old geezers were unable to decipher it. :lol:

I suppose it was bound to happen sooner or later. At work, I have been subjected to it more and more often in the last few years. I see a two-fold problem:


This way of expressing yourself is already a second nature to young people, and frequently they do not even understand what we mean when we ask them to write or express themselves in a way that we of the neolithic era can decipher.
Many of us "oldtimers" will not even try to understand the kids.

I admit that text-messaging language makes me cringe a bit. Of course, we have to accept that a language is not a static thing. It will keep changing, but personally I draw the line where the message no longer is comprehensible.

As usual, it will take some effort from both sides, and knowing how much lower the average age is in this place I would like to hear your opinions on the matter.

/Claes

[Pensive]

Erm I am in my early teens and I would have to say sometimes I find it difficult to cope with text-messaging language too even though I try to be open-minded. As long as it is understandable, fine, otherwise it can be quite frustrating. I have to say that many times I am not able to get it. Probably because I am not very used to it or probably because at places it's written in a manner that even who use it themselves I bet can't get it. Personally, I try to avoid it as much as I can.

[Annamariah]

Erm I am in my early teens and I would have to say sometimes I find it difficult to cope with text-messaging language too even though I try to be open-minded. As long as it is understandable, fine, otherwise it can be quite frustrating. I have to say that many times I am not able to get it. Probably because I am not very used to it or probably because at places it's written in a manner that even who use it themselves I bet can't get it. Personally, I try to avoid it as much as I can.

I'm in my late teens, but other than that I agree :lol:

[1n50mn14]

I can not STAND Text Messaging language... in my Communications class, people often hand in papers to me that have abbreviations on them. Marking, I'm kind of a B**** and write "YOU! not u! YOU! IDIOT!" Good thing I'm just a peer-editer, not a teacher.

[LadyW]

I have to admit, when applied in posts, emails and online messaging - I find text messaging language rather tedious. However, when used in actual text messages via a mobile phone, it is understandable. My Nan however fails to grasp the concept of using text messaging language, and so her texts are usually 3 pages long :lol:

[kratsayra]

I can not STAND Text Messaging language... in my Communications class, people often hand in papers to me that have abbreviations on them. Marking, I'm kind of a B**** and write "YOU! not u! YOU! IDIOT!" Good thing I'm just a peer-editer, not a teacher.

Today I was grading a paper and I got the "u."!!! I hadn't ever had that before. I couldn't believe it. I am a teacher, so I can't write "idiot." I wrote "informal!" It is just not acceptable in a paper for class, absolutely not. Unless you are doing some kind of complex stylistic maneuver, in which case it has to be abundantly clear that you are doing it for some kind of very specific point. Not okay. U! My mind still reels . . .

[Bakiryu]

I don't even consider that language. Use proper grammar people! You should see one of my texts, they're f-ing long, or in 1337.

[Virgil]

Great question Claes. It bugs me too, but I don't know if it has to do with age. I've seen some older people do that too.

[papayahed]

A friend of mine (the same age) will send emails with text messaging language and it's annoying as all get out.

[Shalot]

Of course text messaging language is not appropriate in anything other than a text message or other situation where the sender doesn't have access to a full keyboard. and kids will continue to turn in papers that have text message words in them until they are marked down and instructed otherwise. People who like to write and enjoy literature and writing exercises will know not to do this in formal papers (for the most part) and the rest of those kids will have to have a handout that states they will have to re-typre re-write their paper if they turn that sh** in.

[Pensive]

I find text messaging language rather tedious. However, when used in actual text messages via a mobile phone, it is understandable.

Now you speak of mobile phones - one of the reasons that I don't like them (especially the SMS service which my class-mates find quite funny) is the difficulty that is when typing through it and I can't be bothered enough for that. It just ruins my flow of thoughts. Now that might be funny...but that's how it's like with me.



Today I was grading a paper and I got the "u."!!! I hadn't ever had that before. I couldn't believe it. I am a teacher, so I can't write "idiot." I wrote "informal!" It is just not acceptable in a paper for class, absolutely not. Unless you are doing some kind of complex stylistic maneuver, in which case it has to be abundantly clear that you are doing it for some kind of very specific point. Not okay. U! My mind still reels . . .

Oh, according to our English teacher this practice amongst her students has been fairly common. And yes, she staunchily disapproves of it as well.

[kandaurov]

To be fair, for the sake of instant communication, text-messaging language is understandable. When you have to write a long message in a matter seconds, it's very useful indeed. This, of course, is a very specific situation and doesn't happen too often. Usually I can stop for a second and write the SMS properly. I myself, like Pensive, try to avoid it as much as possible, but sometimes it is handy. I mean, if I had a cell phone with a little keyboard like the computer does I wouldn't need it, but never in my life would I pay more than necessary for a cell phone.

However, if I see it in, say, e-mails and tests, I find it absolutely terrible. I positively shiver when I see it outside the cell phone screen. Because there's really no need for it. I find it almost preposterous that the advertisements take advantage of this sort of language to get to their target audience. When kids see it on the billboards, they might think it's "okay" to use it wherever they want.

[Madhuri]

For mobile phones using such a language is okay. Because, not only it is convenient (as there are character restrictions) it also packs many words in only one or less sms's. If someone were to write complete sentences then just imagine how many messages will be required along with the cost that will get added to each message. Also, I believe when people communicate via mobile phones they are not so concerned about the grammar or even complete sentences (I have read a forwarded message that has jumbled up sentences, and it says that even if the human mind doesnt read each and every word it will still be able to make out what the meaning is. I think this is the idea behind the text-messaging language), they just want to send across their message. And, most of the time it is assumed that the person recieving it will be familiar with such a means of communication (not in all cases, though). In my opinion it is cost effective and convenient when writing an sms.

But, in other forms of communication or writing, I think it should not be used. There is enough space when writing emails or enough sheets or the computer, where one can write in detail whatever is required. I don't think use of such a language is necessary outside of the mobile phones.

[amanda_isabel]

I also spend a lot of time at another, work oriented forum with a much higher member average age. It should come as no big surprise then, that people there reacted a bit when a new (young) member posted his first question in a very abbreviated SMS style. Most of us old geezers were unable to decipher it. :lol:

I suppose it was bound to happen sooner or later. At work, I have been subjected to it more and more often in the last few years. I see a two-fold problem:


This way of expressing yourself is already a second nature to young people, and frequently they do not even understand what we mean when we ask them to write or express themselves in a way that we of the neolithic era can decipher.
Many of us "oldtimers" will not even try to understand the kids.

I admit that text-messaging language makes me cringe a bit. Of course, we have to accept that a language is not a static thing. It will keep changing, but personally I draw the line where the message no longer is comprehensible.

As usual, it will take some effort from both sides, and knowing how much lower the average age is in this place I would like to hear your opinions on the matter.

/Claes

indeed "text language" as we call it ehre is a surprising phenomenon especially to those of the older generation, and my mom, who is a teacher, often complains about checking papers where the answers are written in text language. disregarding their decipherability, i myself find it irritating when i find text language outside of a cellphone screen. i think it looks unprofessional, uneducated, extremely inappropriate for anything related to the academe. i myself use a lot of text language when using my cellphone but i cannot type or write in it--something people notice immediately, and something i am proud of.

i really don't mind the whole text language thing; i just think that people my age should know when and where to use it-- and clearly that would be nowhere near our parents!

[mercy_mankind]

. Probably because I am not very used to it or probably because at places it's written in a manner that even who use it themselves I bet can't get it. Personally, I try to avoid it as much as I can.

I think it is not bad in English language , It is used as to write quickly without mistakes, sometimes you get the information at least (are=r , you=u ) . but in Arabic it is too bad as I can't understand them at all, and there are no link between them as ( 3=ع)
(7=ح) ......etc. but sometimes I use them in mobile phone .
But it isn't belongs for teens only , but all ages as I know.

[Chava]

When I was in the states this summer i noticed several signs saying things like "Drive thru" rather than through. Yes, on the highway's even... No wonder young people don't know how to spell!
Other than that, I loathe that form of language, there is one person in particular whom i have not the tools to decipher. I grant you evidence; this is just half of the conversation, it's about a photograph, and yes, this si a copy paste. I did not make this up!

ommgg i luk pissed ooff!! :P:P wait a sec i waz pissed off! :p

but my lovellly mariaby waz ther 2 cheer me up~!!! :D:D MUWAH!!!..... n besydes sharon waznt even duing ne ting ther might as welll let me still... but i love em oll ne weiz....... whts done s done.... missh yu olll!!!

omg i didnt mean tht n a bad way!!!! im sholly..... i jst met i iwsh i waz ther!!!!!!!! :(:( i reli wanted to be!!!

[Pensive]

I think it is not bad in English language , It is used as to write quickly without mistakes, sometimes you get the information at least (are=r , you=u ) . but in Arabic it is too bad as I can't understand them at all, and there are no link between them as ( 3=

Still it's never as fast as a computer keyboard or perhaps it has been only with the mobiles that I have encountered...maybe I have missed some technology advancement.

[mercy_mankind]

maybe I have missed some technology advancement.

:) :)
If the text messaging language considered to be sophisticated technology, then you should be happy to miss them.

[Prole]

Back in the good ol' days of the internet, when dinosaurs still roamed the web (ok, the mid-90's), I used to spend a lot of time on IRC. One particular type of cretin that inhabited the channels was the 1337 h4x0r. Every letter that could possibly be turned into a number 1=L/I 3=E, 4=A etc, and X's and Z's were rife in their language. I'm sure there are still plenty of them around, but they are less annoying and less likely to attempt to use their "1337 sk1llz 2 h4x u".
Since then, I associate text messaging lingo with stupid, hateful, 13 year olds. Putting numbers, Xs and Zs where they don't belong is useful to me only as an indicator of people I really don't want to talk to!
I'm also of the belief that if you use a phrase so much that you can abbreviate it, its a more of a mannerism/nervous tick than an attempt to convey anything meaningful.
Of course there are exceptions, but generally abbreviating words is just a quicker way to say nothing!

[jon1jt]

I also spend a lot of time at another, work oriented forum with a much higher member average age. It should come as no big surprise then, that people there reacted a bit when a new (young) member posted his first question in a very abbreviated SMS style. Most of us old geezers were unable to decipher it. :lol:

I suppose it was bound to happen sooner or later. At work, I have been subjected to it more and more often in the last few years. I see a two-fold problem:


This way of expressing yourself is already a second nature to young people, and frequently they do not even understand what we mean when we ask them to write or express themselves in a way that we of the neolithic era can decipher.
Many of us "oldtimers" will not even try to understand the kids.

I admit that text-messaging language makes me cringe a bit. Of course, we have to accept that a language is not a static thing. It will keep changing, but personally I draw the line where the message no longer is comprehensible.

As usual, it will take some effort from both sides, and knowing how much lower the average age is in this place I would like to hear your opinions on the matter.

/Claes

I think the same can be said about email. In fact, it's unpopular to write an email that pays attention to the rules of grammar. I know people who actually take it as an act of snobbery. Better to be a fool than to love and appreciate language. A true reflection of the times we're living in.

[Joreads]

I really don't like text message language used for anything but text messages, by the time I have figured it out I could have made a phone call.

I never send out and email without the correct spelling and grammar all that says to me is that someone couldn't even take the time to check their work so how important can the email be.

[RoCKiTcZa]

First of all, hello guys. :) It's been a while!

Well, I am an avid texter myself, and I use the texting language a lot for the sole purpose of saving up on prepaid credit, though I always maintain absolute control and discipline towards my language. In our place, almost everyone--people of all ages--from kids as young as five years old to great-grandparents over eighty--has a cell phone and makes use of SMS as their primary mode of communication, being cheaper than any other (besides email, which is only convenient to be used at home, or wherever a permanent connection is available). One will be surprised that even high-ranking officials use the extremely-shortened text-language in communicating with their colleagues, friends, subordinates, and everyone else.

I am not really appalled by this language for I have learned to understand it very well, having used it since I became acquainted with cell phones at the age of four and got my first cell phone in third grade. As long as people do not forget how and when to use correct spelling and grammar, I see no problem with this at all.

[Petrarch's Love]

I think that sort of language is fine in text messages. We've had forms of shorthand writing for centuries, and I see nothing wrong with this new form of shorthand in its place. It drives me insane when it crops up in other contexts such as e-mail, forum posts, etc. I usually understand what a person is saying when they use text abbreviations or even some 1337, but ultimately it's not only inelegant to read, but a pretty limited means of expression.


Today I was grading a paper and I got the "u."!!! I hadn't ever had that before. I couldn't believe it. I am a teacher, so I can't write "idiot." I wrote "informal!" It is just not acceptable in a paper for class, absolutely not. Unless you are doing some kind of complex stylistic maneuver, in which case it has to be abundantly clear that you are doing it for some kind of very specific point. Not okay. U! My mind still reels . . .

That's awful, Krat! Probably only a matter of time before I run across something similar, though I can hope it won't be for awhile. I have gotten text style stuff in e-mails from students, and if it's bad I often put a little note at the end of my reply politely indicating that this is not a professional way to write to one's instructor.

[ClaesGefvenberg]

Thank you all for your input, and please continue to provide examples of both textmessaging language and situations when it was appropriate to use.... or not. :thumbs_up

/Claes

[Chava]

You may enjoy this Claes;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nIUcRJX9-o&feature=related

And the sequel;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySR3hpieiQc&feature=related

TTYL BFF Claes :)