Discussion Question: How do you feel about text/internet speech?
How do you feel about text/internet speech? I’m talking about things like lol, how r u, and c u l8ter. It could even include things like not using capital letters or proper punctuation. Is this an example of language changing and evolving? Are we eroding the language? Or is this a phenomenon that won’t have a long-term impact on how we use language?
Do you use text speech? Do you mind it or does it bother you?
Is there something you’ve always wanted to ask your fellow writers? Email your discussion question suggestions to twentysomethingwriters[at]gmail[dot]com.
July 6th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
I have always hated “leet speak”, things like ‘c u l8ter’. Hated with a passion. But I see nothing wrong with acronyms like LOL, ROFL, etc. I detest improper capitalization and punctuation usage. When I’m playing a game like WoW I’m always careful to avoid conversation with people that can’t form complete thoughts without numbers or characters in their non-punctuated sentences. Some people thing I’m snobbish, I just happen to think I have high standards in necessities such as writing and language.
July 6th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
As someone who actually studies this phenomenon as a part of my program at school, I’ve always found this particular use of language to be interesting. While I restrain from using it myself, I don’t necessarily judge those who do use it. I do not enjoy reading it though, so I can’t say that I’m really “all for it” BUT from a linguistic point of view, I find it all fascinating. I don’t think it’s a corruption of our language at all, but rather a facet, an aspect and a new manner in which we create and translate meaning given our social constructs.
July 6th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I would definitely have to say it’s eroding our language. The worst part is dictionaries are starting to add it like it’s an actual part of the language. It made sense for a while when text messaging first came out and space was very limited and there wasn’t full keyboards on phones and no predictave text. Now it’s very easy to use proper language and punctuation. My friends all know I won’t respond to text/email if they use too much internet speak.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
I think there’s a place for online speak- online. Sometimes though, I catch myself saying things like “brb” out loud and I die a little inside.
July 7th, 2009 at 1:39 am
It really irritates me when people go out of their way to create words and sentences which are missing crucial vowels and letters. I absolutely do not see the point: surely it is actually more time-consuming for them to translate from proper spelling into this hybrid ‘shortcut’ language. It also takes longer to read.
Like the first commenter, I understand things like “lol”, and even understand deleting the occasional space or letter to keep your message under a character limit, but “text speak” becoming a way of communicating in its own right is, frankly, unnecessary, irritating, and makes me judge people.
July 8th, 2009 at 4:43 am
It annoys me slightly. I don’t use it while texting or emailing. Occasionally, I’ll through in an “LOL” if I really am laughing out loud. I mean, how hard is it to text “you” instead of “u”? It really crosses the line when things like “c u l8ter” pops up in a professional email. Unfortunately, I see things like this happening daily.
July 13th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Most of the time the text-talk annoys me. It just doesn’t fit into real life and is a degradation of the language. It’s appropriate on texts and facebook and gchat, but it’s not appropriate elsewhere.
July 14th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Text talk and internet speech annoy me. The only situation where I use either is when I am texting or chatting over AIM. I don’t feel compelled to say “LOL” in real life. Instead I’d rather actually laugh. Using either in real life makes me feel like I lack intelligence. When other people use it in real life I can feel my IQ dropping.
Only half-joking with that last statement.
July 15th, 2009 at 6:03 am
I used text speak for a while when at school, but ever since I’ve had an aversion to it.
Like Ellie said, I feel like my intelligence is dropping when I read it. It does my head in trying to decipher it.
I was using ‘lol’ and I’ll use ‘omg’ occasionally, but they’re exaggerations these days, you use them to emphasise the whole phrase. If I were writing for my blog, I wouldn’t use them.
I think we’re in danger of introducing technology and text speak at such a young age, as they grow up, kids really aren’t going to be able to know how to write properly.
July 20th, 2009 at 4:21 am
I really hate a lot of the text speak, but I think it would be foolish not to realise it’s the way it’s going to go – when all the kids are doing it, then you know it’s going to take over the world eventually. Some of it has its place: LOL etc, but I find it takes so much longer to decipher what has been written.
August 13th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
i agree with the previous comments above. It is ridiculous that people are starting to use text/internet speech when it is not necessary anymore. Most people have qwerty keyboards on their phones, palms, pocket pc and all the new gadgets that are going around, so why still use abbreviated language in which other people are getting so used to? They get so confused on which words are the correct ones in a particular sentence since they don’t know the difference anymore. It’s sad to see someone writing a formal letter and all of a sudden half way down a nicely written letter, you will see an internet/text speech. Sometimes, it’s not an excuse anymore that it saves space, others just don’t know how the real word looks like. I won’t say that I’m not guilty of using such speech, but it is weird how I see myself texting whole words which I’m more comfortable with than shortened internet speech. Expressions are fine… but please do not OD LOL.
August 19th, 2009 at 7:04 am
I think for me the big problem comes from the hyperbole of these expressions. If someone thinks that something I post is humorous then declare that they are rolling on the floor laughing I want them to be actually doing just that. Indeed, I want them so incapacitated by laughter that the only keys they can strike successfully are R, O, F and L before collapsing back to the ground, holding their sides and gasping for breath.
However, I feel that arbitrarily deciding that text speak (or txt spk) is somehow wrong because it is different won’t get very far. Look at Academie Francais, centuries saying ‘non’ and the French still ‘mange le sandwich’ (I’m sorry for the bad gender grammar/spelling/all round horror that is my French). The point is language moves on we can’t stop it so we might as well accept it as a part of life.
August 31st, 2009 at 7:56 am
Who is really hurt by this? You? Me? The legacy of Noah Webster? Does it benefit the official language? I staunchly believe it does not. Does it give some the opportunity to spit in the face of conformity. Hell yes. Will it be the end of proper English, well. I think the British colonizers ruined an official usage of ‘English’ when long ago they foisted the language with force onto the people of other nations. Now you have Ebonics, Cockney, whatever Ex-president Bush uses to speak, Patois/patwah (my father is from Jamaica – so go Patois), and other variations that escape me.
Taking the cause of Devil’s advocate further, in many cases the improper language embodies a more pleasing aesthetic. It becomes a visual art, more so than already, for those who craft well and can develop pleasing creations.
So in the words of some English singer, “Let it be,” – sums up my sentiments.
Ryan
September 9th, 2009 at 12:48 am
I was a “text” speaker for a while… But that was quite a few years ago. Then I grew tired of having to interpret so many versions of “text” words so I stopped using it. Now I type/key in complete words, except for acronyms. Acronyms I don’t mind.
October 9th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
I am disappointed with the majority of these comments. People that are hung up on proper English are annoying! I agree with Ryan that internet/text speak “gives some the opportunity to spit in the face of conformity.”
A B.A. in English and an understanding of proper English does not make me a better person or more apt to communicate my ideas.
fuck proper english.
October 15th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Just wanted to say hello all. This is my first post.
I came to learn alot here.
October 26th, 2009 at 8:05 am
I agree with ryan and dissapointed, what the fucks the big deal with writing in text/internet speech. Those who say that its a degrading our language and lowering our intelligence, are you being serious? the english language has always been changing. Do you think not using such words puts you in a ‘higher’ culture then others? its so silly, you people make me LOL.
February 10th, 2010 at 11:46 am
i only write that way when chatting online, but never in any real writing, like on my blog or in an email. not even on Facebook.
August 1st, 2010 at 8:09 pm
The responses I read here were interesting. I did not expect such violent view on something like shorthand language. I appreciated the views expressed by Ryan and Disappointed about “spitting in the face of conformity.” I tend to like that sentiment in most things. I think that the fact that language changes and evolves is what makes it so interesting. Do I use this kind of abbreviated language? When it’s appropriate. Do I sometimes say “BRB” aloud? Yes, and I don’t die a little inside either. Do I appreciate seeing this in my students’ papers? Umm, not even kind of. Do I think it’s eroding the English language? Nope. I think it has it’s place. I think we create language to meet our needs and we created that language to meet certain needs (as you all mentioned in one way or another). What you all also mentioned was that with the proliferation of “qwerty” keyboards, these are no longer necessary. They’re still (usually) shorter though, and so they do serve a purpose most of the time. Most of all I want to say that language purists need to relax sometimes. Knowing the rules and functions of English is valuable. Breaking those rules and functions is also valuable.