Text Talk

[jacob marley]

I do not do texting but it seems to be getting into more and more posts so i was wondering if all you clever grapes could bring this old codger into the modern way of conversing by explaining some of the abbreviations mean i know M8 is mate and LOL is either laugh out loud or lots of love how you work out what is what i will be eternally gratefull thanks in anticipation jacob

[scared55]

To my mind, Jacob, these abbreviations are OK where you have the limited number of characters allowed by traditional SMS in which to compose your message. Using it where there are no such constraints is, to my way of thinking, not only lazy, but also direspectful to and discriminatory against the recipients of any message who prefer to use the language properly. That also applies to the use of punctuation and capitalisation. If the figures we see for literacy and standards of spelling and grammar are any guide, the sooner this nonsense is abandond the better it will be for everyone.

KK

[debjay]

rofl = rolling on floor laughing
l8r= later
lmao=laugh my a**e off
brb= Be right back
ttyl=Talk to you later
cba=Can't be a**ed
pmsl=P**sing myself laughing
lyl=Love you loads
Ly=Love you

Had to get my daughter to help lol
Debbie

[jacob marley]

To my mind, Jacob, these abbreviations are OK where you have the limited number of characters allowed by traditional SMS in which to compose your message. Using it where there are no such constraints is, to my way of thinking, not only lazy, but also direspectful to and discriminatory against the recipients of any message who prefer to use the language properly. That also applies to the use of punctuation and capitalisation. If the figures we see for literacy and standards of spelling and grammar are any guide, the sooner this nonsense is abandond the better it will be for everyone.

KK

I fully agree with you but i do not think they are going to go away so to make it easier to read the posts i thought i might as well have a crash course and make it a bit easier .
Many years ago i started messing about with CB still do in fact some people went crazy with the use of the 10 code never really got to grips with it still haven't but the people i talk to don't bother either jacob

[Paul Wagland]

Punctuation is my bugbear - I find it really hard to understand some posts because of a lack of a simple full stop.

I love our language and would like people to make more of an effort with it, but I guess you can't stop people posting just because they write badly. They might not have had a chance at a decent education (or may be dyslexic), but they still have worthwhile things to say.

I've met people who think text abbreviations are the correct way to spell things; they've hardly ever written anything longer than a text message!

[Flummery]

Agree with Scared55. I don't even use text speak when I send a text message. With predicitve text there's no excuse. I find it lazy and irritating.

From a fellow codger.

[scared55]

I must be a codger also then - as I text in full

As do I, and as does my daughter - in fact she is more vocal about misuse of English than am I, as well as being a good deal younger (and better looking, for that matter).

KK

[Flummery]

So do my offspring. Pedantry - Nature or Nurture? Discuss!

[Paul Wagland]

All I know is it's nothing to do with age. I'm 29 and I can codge with the best of them!

[nick the grief]

I must be a codger also then - as I text in full - however, I am very aware that I 'play act' on here with 'words' like 'cos/woteva/duntyanar - there is no excuse that can be offered in my defence

This is my daughters pet hate. She insists on typing proper inglish like wot I spoked so I insist on using text talk to annoy her


But if you nip into Waterstones or Smiffs next time you come to the big city Jacob they have a little book called "the joy of text" that explains it all ... make sure you ask for the right one or you may get something more than you expect

[bubblewrap]

Norwich Nickers off ready when I come home!
Community Text speak

[madmax]

Old git no 1 here - text talk is for sms only with a 160 character limit! It really annoys me when it is used in place of grammar and proper English.

Educashun is sadlee laking in skools no. sPeling is orful and thay r evn thinckin of givin lesons in txt tork in skool.

Morons.

But it can be fun to abbreviate... innit!?!?

[pigletwillie]

I hate text talk with a passion. For a while I thought it was restricted to pre-pubescent teenagers but then found that pre-pubescent adults also used it.

[everdream78]

My nan, bless her, is 83 and has just got the hang of texting - except that she phones me to ask how to abbreviate something in a text to me, then tells me the contents of the text during the phone call!

[SarzWix]

I do use text abbreviations when I'm sending a text, because it saves money! But only to people who will understand it - I text full words to my Dad for instance. I also use '&' a lot, and sometimes LOL here on the forum which I probably shouldn't , but I try to use an apostrophe in the right place when I'm shortening a word. Punctuation is a bit of a bugbear with me too, and I really can't see the excuse for using text-speak (txtspk!) on the 'Vine - you aren't getting charged for the amount of characters you use! To my mind it's sheer laziness. Even worse is when you see spelling errors or use of the wrong word in magazines, books and in newspapers - the best way to learn how to spell and use correct grammar is by reading, if that's wrong then how does anyone learn?!