Text Speak, good or bad?

[Vista]

I've noticed recently that text speak language is spreading into general use. I see a lot of it on here, and increasingly quite a bit of it on eBay too. Now perhaps I'm old fashioned but I struggle to understand two things, the first being the most obvious one: -

 

1) I often find it too much hassle to work out what someone is trying to say so I don't bother. Any eBay listing that's written like it or is badly punctuated gets skipped straight away, I often find myself doing the same to posts written like it on here.

 

2) Why is it necessary? I can understand totally the need for getting as much of a message across in one text so that you don't need to pay for two, but why use it in written conversation when you don't have that restriction?

 

I also understand that language is a fluid thing and that it must adapt with the times. Dictionaries for instance are updated to include new words that have come into frequent use, but I can't ever see l8r replacing later in written language.

 

So, am I alone or do others struggle with this? My parents are both now recently retired but were both secondary school teachers, they were gob smacked when told that spelling was to be ignored in English language exams!

[Stu_B]

I think it's awfull! I really don't even bother readin' it, just skip straight past!!

I often find myself typing how I talk (Eg reading becomes readin'!) but thats a bit different to shortening words by losing the vowels, or replacing letters with numbers!!

Sort it out innit!!

[Retromotorsport]

Got to say I'm with you on this one. I can't understand the need for it, yes on old phones but now with predictive text function surely the l8r's and m8's etc are a thing of the past, and yes, maybe I am old, but I find I have to read some things twice or 3 times to get them

[4parajon]

Agreed, its just plain lazy. I can understand it if your texting but if I see it on here I just can't be arsed reading it

[MK5]

i hate it with a vengeance...

 

if a post has been written in "text speak" i don't bother trying to read it...

 

on both forums that i moderate we have "forbidden" the use of text speak...

[Vista]

Got to say I'm with you on this one. I can't understand the need for it, yes on old phones but now with predictive text function surely the l8r's and m8's etc are a thing of the past, and yes, maybe I am old, but I find I have to read some things twice or 3 times to get them

 

Actually texting is the one place I can forgive it. Especially with many young folk using pay and go phones. Most texts are limited to around 150 digits, so the more info you can get into one text by condensing the message using m8 and l8r, the more money you save.

 

Anywhere else though it bugs me.

[sab6024]

I hate 'text speak' simply because it takes me ages to work out what something means. Once I've got that out the way something else turns up. I get bored of trying to read some of the posts. If people can't be bothered to write properly then I can't be bothered to read it.

 

I have to admit I had to ask what YKT stands for

[Stu_B]

Some abbreviations like YKT or PMSL are ok on a forum, but typing a whole post in text talk with awfull grammer.....

[antz]

i totally agree!!!!

 

i dont even use text talk in texts cos im on contract and might as well send 2 messages

 

i just have bad typing so sometimes i miss letters out or REMEMBER becommes rememebr

 

text talk sucks and i hate It wHeN PeOplE tALk lIkE ThIS!!!!!

[Stu_B]

 

i dont even use text talk in texts cos im on contract and might as well send 2 messages

 

i just have bad typing so sometimes i miss letters out or REMEMBER becommes rememebr

 

 

Yup I send 2 texts or phone 'em up!!

 

Its funny you used remember as an example, 'cos that's one word I always have trouble with, only when I type it, I always miss an m and it becomes remeber!!

[escort21]

Takes me ages to understand what some people write in text talk, proper spelling for me all day long. And as for ignoring spelling in english exams that is daft

[escort21]

Bugger...shitty slow repetitive work computer

[Mk2Jo]

Acceptable for texting. Unacceptable for on here except for some abbreviations that are general and that we all know - fpmsl, m8, lol to name a few but other stuff just takes too long to suss out for me

[Guest turbo2]

yeah i think text speak is shite it does me fookin head in and me sister is one of the worst on here so jadey 1 take note of this topic

[Slik 50]

I dont understand the text stuff, But I have no room to talk as my spelling is atrosious

[escortmad79]

Use full words, we don't charge by the letter you know!

[johnny_h]

Use full words, we don't charge by the letter you know!

 

You have hit the nail right on the head there unknowingly shooting yourself in the foot in the process! The reason that ppl use txt spk is because telephone companies do charge by the letter (or letters) in a text message. If you have a lot to say a normal text containing the queens english could go on for several pages incurring several charges.

 

I'm not keen on it and some of the conversations I have seen Emma's younger sisters having on MSN messenger may as well have been in Japaneese.

[over_head_cam]

Like everything, i reckon it's OK in moderation. This IS an informal forum so a few bits here and there are fine. But to base every written word on it does get on my nerves a bit. I'm pretty sure it would take longer to write in txt speak

[escortmad79]

Use full words, we don't charge by the letter you know!

 

You have hit the nail right on the head there unknowingly shooting yourself in the foot in the process! The reason that ppl use txt spk is because telephone companies do charge by the letter (or letters) in a text message. If you have a lot to say a normal text containing the queens english could go on for several pages incurring several charges.

 

I'm not keen on it and some of the conversations I have seen Emma's younger sisters having on MSN messenger may as well have been in Japaneese.

Text messages yes but not on forums or on job applications!!

[johnny_h]

Use full words, we don't charge by the letter you know!

 

You have hit the nail right on the head there unknowingly shooting yourself in the foot in the process! The reason that ppl use txt spk is because telephone companies do charge by the letter (or letters) in a text message. If you have a lot to say a normal text containing the queens english could go on for several pages incurring several charges.

 

I'm not keen on it and some of the conversations I have seen Emma's younger sisters having on MSN messenger may as well have been in Japaneese.

Text messages yes but not on forums or on job applications!!

 

Yeah! Fookers! I know a few girls that do this backwards talking thing that really winds me up coz I have no clue what they are talking about. Similar thing.

[tazrocks88]

but when u get used 2 it u just end up using it as normal words urself i hated it at first then i found i was doing it for some words but then again i use it for the frequently used words only so ppl r able 2 understand most of wat i write. i hate the it when ppl make words like wubu2? and expect u 2 understand it tho!!!

[johnny_h]

but when u get used 2 it u just end up using it as normal words urself i hated it at first then i found i was doing it for some words but then again i use it for the frequently used words only so ppl r able 2 understand most of wat i write. i hate the it when ppl make words like wubu2? and expect u 2 understand it tho!!!

 

eh?

[Trevmk3]

wubu2? quote]

 

[escortmad79]

wubu2 = What have you been up to in chav speak!

[tazrocks88]