Travis
Learning Article : Internet Slang And Texting Language

Discuss the Article : Internet Slang And Texting Language

<a href='/article/154/lol-lmfao-wtf-figuring-out-english-internet-slang-and-texting-language' target='_blank'>Internet Slang And Texting Language</a>

LOL, LMAO, WTF! What do they mean? Internet slang rules today's conversational landscape. Keep up with the trend...

Jun 4, 2014 12:00 AM
Comments · 11
5

Call me old-fashion or the devil's advocate but...

 

I believe that many features of modern electronic communication (such as the significant reduction in mobile phone costs, the almost universal use of full-sized QWERTY keyboards and possibly others) now render profuse use of these acronyms unnecessary.

 

I do confess that back in the day, I was rather partial to the occasional "<em>lol</em>" or "<em>g2g</em>" and this was mainly due to my attempts to be thrifty (remember when a single SMS was limited to 160 characters?) and more efficient (you can probably now view them candy-bar mobile phones with the dial pad at the museum, or at the Grandma's house)<em>.</em>

<em> </em>

Now, even though we're sort of past all that, the messaging habits associated with the conditions of the past have lingered on and I can't quite understand why...I for one now find myself typing/texting in full sentences only because I really see no need to do so otherwise.  Having said that, I add the occasional smiley because as the saying goes, a picture paints a thousand words..and expresses what cannot be said in words.  

 

Obviously this is just my opinion as an old grumpy middle-aged man but I'd love to hear other people's opinion on the relationship between "text speak" and its effect on the level of standard English (for want of a better term).  Is it Enriching? Degrading? To be encouraged?

Do you think that over reliance or usage on these abbreviations has lead to, or will lead to a diminished ability to express oneself in words (ie. students writing essays, general report writing in the work-place).

 

 

 

 

 

June 4, 2014
2

I actually don't see g2g anywhere anymore, maybe from parents who think it's still in use ;) I think some more useful abbreviations would be idk, tbh, bc, and even ppl (I don't know, to be honest, because, and people). I personally use ppl and idk a lot, as its faster for typing. I also feel like typing out "I don't know" almost makes it more formal, depending on the sentence. I guess you could say idk is the short version of "I dunno" which is slang in itself anyway :p

 

I like texting lingo and it's effect on writing because one of the biggest arguments my parents and many adults have is that you can't convey your tone of voice in a message ("why don't you pick up the phone and call someone for once?!"). As it was stated in the article, abbreviations add emphasis. People can tell a lot easier if you're being sarcastic or joking with lol or haha than without, and that's something that was never possible before sms messaging. So I think it's a good thing. Even now, websites like tumblr are taking the abbreviations and such even further and developing a type of language and humor specific to that website.

 

I also think this aticle was a great idea because many English learners might have a hard time communicating online if they only know textbook English and none of the shorthand that we've come to use so often.

June 4, 2014
2

We use 5555555 to express crying when chatting online in Chinese. :)

June 4, 2014
1

so useful esp for me cause i'm always chatting with my friends.

Tnx Travis

February 27, 2015
1

David Crystal, a funny British linguist's take on texting. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h79V_qUp91M

June 4, 2014
Show more