The comments are due by Friday, March 20th, at class time.
___________________TXTNG: the gr8 db8.
Texting has several unique features that attract users of all ages. David Crystal identifies six of these traits in his chapter entitled, "What makes texting so distinctive?" from his book, TXTNG: The Gr8 Db8. These include: pictograms and logograms, initialisms, omitted letters, nonstandard spellings, shortenings, and genuine novelties.
1) Pictograms and logograms are the most noticeable features in texting. Logograms can be used either alone or in combination with other letters and/or words.
Examples of logograms:
b = be
2 = to/two/too
@ = at
b4 = before
2day = today
Examples of logograms:
b = be
2 = to/two/too
@ = at
b4 = before
2day = today
When visual shape is what matters, graphic devices called emoticons are used. These are normally used to represent pictures and faces through texts. If this is the case, they are known as pictograms. Several hundred emoticons exist, however only a select few are used regularly.
Examples: :), :(, :P, ;), etc.
2) Initialisms are often called acronyms, like NATO or BBC. With text messaging, everyday words are shortened for quick communication. Initials are used for single words, compounded words, phrases, and even whole sentences.
Examples for single words: n = no, w = with, y = yes
Examples for compounded words: gf = girlfriend, dl = download
Examples for phrases: np = no problem, ftf = face to face
Examples for whole sentences: cmb = call me back, swdyt = so what do you think
Examples for single words: n = no, w = with, y = yes
Examples for compounded words: gf = girlfriend, dl = download
Examples for phrases: np = no problem, ftf = face to face
Examples for whole sentences: cmb = call me back, swdyt = so what do you think
3) Omitted letters are less noticeable than intialisms, but are far more common. Normally, the letters dropped are vowels. This feature is altered quite often. It changes with every person who texts, and there are sometimes more than one version of a word.
Examples: msg = message, fwd = forward, btwn = between, 2nite, 2nt, tnight = tonight
Examples: msg = message, fwd = forward, btwn = between, 2nite, 2nt, tnight = tonight
4) Nonstandard spellings occur, both intentionally and unknowingly. Regardless of whether or not the person texting knows how to spell correctly, he/she may still spell a word wrong. The reasons for this vary upon the user. Some nonstandard spellings are used so often, they have been given entires in the Oxford English Dictionary.
Examples of nonstandard spellings are easy to spot: cos, cuz = because, luv = love, skool = school, thanx = thanks
5) Shortenings occur when a word is reduced by omitting an important component. This can happen either at the end or the beginning of a word. There have been shortenings recorded in history books dating back to the origin of writing. Many words have become used as everyday terms themselves.
Examples of shortenings: prob = probably, approx = approximately, exam = examination, fridge = refrigerator
6) A genuine novelty is made within texting when language play has improved or increased. All of the six distinct features of texting can be juxtaposed. This allows for a vast array of word and sentence combinations. However, novelties are not used often. It solely depends on the person utilizing texting, and whether or not he/she is conservative or innovative
Example of a novelty: iydkidkwd = if you don't know, I don't know who does
Example of a novelty: iydkidkwd = if you don't know, I don't know who does
Personally, I use texting on a daily basis. However, I only use three of the six traits featured in this chapter (logograms, initialisms, and shortenings).
How often do you text? Do you use any of the six mentioned characteristics of texting? Should there be any additional attributes added to these six?
By Nadia Aldroubi, ENG300-1
By Nadia Aldroubi, ENG300-1
17 comments:
I text on a regular basis, in fact I prefer texting over talking. I have an unlimited texting plan so that I can text at my convience. I use every single attribute and characteristic that comes along with texting. This way of writing makes things so much easier. If I can get my point across without having to use as many words or phrases, I am always game. Through a text message you can express your every thought and not have to see the look on the receivers face. Lol.
I text everyday and I use all of these aspects of texting that is mention3ed in the article. I find it easier to text than to call and I usually get a quicker response. I think texting opens everybody up to a new and exciting form of communication. I can find out where anybody is at anytime of the day if they respond to me. I cannot think of any more rules that need to be added texting. I find all the 6 to be very helpful. Texting does not affect my writing in schooling in anyway. There are some of my friends who use all 6 of the texting aspects and much of the time I cannot understand the message.
I text on a daily basis and still haven't found myself using many of these traits listed in the blog and article. I use pictograms and shortening words the most, but I still don't use that all that often. I always try my best to spell out the words I am saying in a text. I always think that it looks lazy if you don't and can sometimes be hard to read otherwise. I do think that there are times when you are in a hurry when shortening a word is much faster to send out, but I still don't think it should be your first choice when sending a message.
I text on a regular basis. I find it is easier than talking on the phone. With texting, you don't have to go through all the small talk, you can't get right to the point. I use three of the six (logograms, initialisms, shortenings). Texting is meant to be short, so writing out the whole word is sometimes not necessary. But I hate the idea of genuine novelty. That just shows me that a person is really lazy and chances are that I'm not going to understand it and ignore the person that is trying to talk to me. I do know people that use all 6 of the texting traits, but I hardly ever reply to them. These features are only useful if the words are understandable
I text message every day. I find it to me an easy way to communicate with others, especially if I’m asking a quick question. While looking at the six characteristics of texting, I realized that when I first started to text message I used all six. Almost all texts I sent had at least two of these characteristics mentioned. Now I use Standard English more often in my text messages. However, I still use initialisms because it creates a fast way to get my message across. I think text messaging is an effective way to communicate however, sometimes it can become confusing. I have two younger sisters that love to text but sometimes they send me a text full of initalisms and I can’t understand anything they are trying to say.
I text on a daily basis, but do not find it easier than talking on the phone. Texting is to the point and does keep you from having a drawn out phone conversation. I try not to use any shortenings when I text, but when I get into a hurry I will do it occasionally.
I am guilty of using texting lingo. However, I tend not to abbreviate or use other characters in place of letters. I prefer texting over having to call someone because it's more convenient. I do tend to use pictograms and some of the abbreviations, but not on a regular basis. Because my phone only allows me to type 160 characters I find myself shortening the message to get it all to fit and not for convenience
I use text messaging everyday. I have used all of the forms of texting slang except number six. I don’t know of any other categories that should be added. I don’t use text messaging as often as some people use it, so I don’t use abbreviations all the time. Many times I don’t think about the using an abbreviation unless it is an extremely common one. The thing that I do the most is substitute numbers for words. The only reason I do this is because it takes a lot longer to write out these words in a text message than it does to type or say it. I never use these abbreviations in my writing. I am in the habit of writing in a different way than I speak so it’s natural for me to think about what I am writing. I usually take my time to make sure that my writing is proper and correct.
I text several times a day. I do not like to talk on the phone so texting allows me to communicate with friends without calling. Altouhg I text everyday there are many symbols or phrases I do not know or just recently learned. I didn't know what lol and ttyl meant for the longest time. I tend to use pictograms like @, :), :(, and ;) a lot. I also use initialisms like ttyl and lol since I know what they mean. Shortenings are another form I use, the most common is phrase is prob. Even though I use some forms when texting, I prefer to text out full words. I do not write luv for love, 2 for to, or 4 for for. I try not to do too many symbols because I do not want to slip and write luv in a homework assignment when I meant love. I think texting has become a more popular form of communication. There are times when I receive texts from friends that use all apsects of texting and I do not understand what they are saying at all. In those instances, I will text them back and ask them to explain what they meant where I can understand. I think it is hilarious to see my parents texting. My dad still hasn't got the hang of it, but he is improving. My mother is the texting queen. I'm glad to see people from older generations enjoying texting just as much as younger generations. I do think it is important for younger students to know where to draw the line. It becomes a problem when students are writing like they text.
I text daily and use all six aspects mentioned in the article. I agree it is a quicker way to communicate and gets a quicker response most of the time. I did my research essay over this topic and looked up the texting dictionary online... lots of phrases out there I knew nothing about. Hopefully I can introduce some of them to my friends and the "new" phrases will become better known. If I am texting to my friends who are good at texting and reading text messages I shorten the words. If I am texting my aunt or grandma I usually spell everything out so they can understand the message. I consider my audience before using the six aspects mentioned in the article.
I also text every day, however in my conversations, I find myself to be grammatically correct. The reason for this is because I have a full keyboard on my phone which allows me to type full words, messages, and phrases.
I use maybe one of the six methods of texting (pictograms) and even this form of texting is a rarity for me. Messaging is in some ways quicker and more efficient than talking on the phone because it cuts out a lot of what I like to call "conversational fat" or filler conversation that you don't really need to talk about.
I liked this article because it highlighted that using abbreviations, initialisms, and other short forms is nothing novel. I often find teenagers and their elders alike hemming and hawing about the detrimental effects of computer/cell phone slang on general English use; I see this as a case of both too little and too much credit given to so-called language innovators. This piece highlighted the oft-ignored fact that people have surely used amusing and/or expedient alterations of "real words" since the dawn of modern hyoid bones, so we mustn't consider contemporary texters pioneers. On the other hand, the ability to manipulate language, and pleasure taken in doing so, signals intelligence in any person, young or old. As evidenced in the novel forms described in this article, play with such a complicated symbolic system requires a well-wired brain. Students at my magnet high school had their own language in which euphemisms, abbreviations, and quick, subtle verbal burns evolved daily, spilling from instant messaging and facebooking into bona-fide speech. In between our heated and coded conversations though, even our science and math teachers expected us to churn out academically coherent fifteen-page papers on a routine basis. And we did.
I text virtually constantly throughout my waking day, and while I have used all of these traits of text messaging at some point in my life, the addition of the QWERTY keyboard to cell phones has changed my need for it. I can type virtually anything I would on the computer just as quickly with a qwerty keyboard and my thumbs, and thus the need for these traits is eliminated. I only found these traits to be useful when I didn't have a full keyboard since it would take me twice as long to express myself if I were to spell out "girlfriend" with T9word or iTap or ABC. These types of spelling with a phone keyboard have been left out of blog summary and are an key element to the cause behind these traits. T9word and itap are devices in phones that can make it harder to type out the whole word if the word doesn't exist in the phone's word database.
I text all the time. It's a lot more convenient for me if I have one or two questions that need answering rather than calling someone and running through small talk and the other crap one has to deal with when on the phone ( I sound like Larry David).
I use most of the the characteristics shown in the article, but definitely not the novelty. I will always abbreviate a text message when I am in a hurry or in a place I shouldn't be using my phone, but often the person I am sending the message to will dictate how much I do this. I always thought using the novelty method was for middle school girls on AOL instant messenger. I must say I can barely understand novelty, though.
This is a highly relatable topic because within today's society, most people have cell phones and are trying to give and receive messages quickly. The six traits introduces promotes quick texting and/or messaging. Texting is convenvenient and makes it feasible to communicate. Depending on factors such as the environment you're in or your mobile phone plan determines whether or not you utilize texting that often, well for me it does. Of the six traits shown, I heavily use pictograming,initialisms and shortening. Sometimes If I'm rushing or lazy at the moment, these texting strategies lessens the work need to send a message. This is the one thing outside the classroom I can be careless and lazy about. Texting builds a community within itself and allows us to stay connected. Well, that is all I have on the subject until next blog. TTYL! ;-) (talk to you later) LOL!
Texting is very familiar to me. I also have an unlimited texting plan, so I can text whenever I want. Texting seems so much easier than writing an email or talking over the phone. There is no direct confrontation, and you are free to express yourself however you please. The only problem I would say comes with texting is the fact that the person who receives the text cannot tell emotion from it. Texting is a basic form of communication, and often times can confuse people. I sometimes find texting affecting my school work, but not too often.
I text all day everyday. Depending on the person I'm texting, the conversations are usually short and have a point. Sometimes though, I text just to text something silly. I use a lot of the things mentioned in the article, but not all of them. I don't think my texting affects the way I write because I am capable of discerning when it is appropriate to use texting lingo and when it is not appropriate.
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