SMS: Gr8 way to communic8

Dubai: It's gr8 2 have the l8est communication devices @ ur fingertips. They r always readily available 4 u 2 use anytime, anywhere.

Do the above sentences seem peculiar? At first glance, maybe not. After all, this is the kind of language you probably use on a daily basis to communicate with your friends and loved ones.

But it probably strikes you as odd to see it in a formal publication. And what if formal publications actually began using this kind of "simplified" language? Could this be an indication of the language of the future?

The truth is, we don't know. What we do know is that every day millions of text messages are sent using this kind of language.

Out of 20 students interviewed by Gulf News, all of them said they used abbreviations or "short cuts" when sending messages on their mobile phones — or the more common term today, "SMSing".

The top two reasons given were to save time and money. Yes, with the development of new technologies and ideas, even the English language vocabulary is changing. We have already seen the evolution of the English language from Elizabethan English during the era of Shakespeare to the English used today.

The question is, is this "simplified" form of language an indication of the progression or regression of the language? And is this new language creeping into the work of students and professionals?

Origins

According to Belinda Palubiski, English Faculty at Dubai Men's College (DMC), the use of abbreviated forms of the English language dates back to the early 1970s.

"Back then people had to develop some kind of shorthand code to take down quick yet accurate notes when reporting or covering issues, as you are," she said. "Today we have newer technologies that make communication easier and faster. These new technologies have resulted in a new form of language that can aid quick communication."

Historically, this language developed out of shorthand used in Bulletin Board Systems and later on the internet in chat rooms, where users would abbreviate some words to allow quick responses, though the amount of time saved is often trivial.

However, this trend became even more prominent in SMS [Short

Message Service], where mobile phone users don't have access to a full keyboard as computer users do. As a result more effort is required to type each character, and there is a limit on the number of characters that may be sent.

Influence of SMS

Gulf News asked English language professors whether they commonly found errors influenced by SMSing in their students' work.

Most said that it was exceptionally rare.

Jason Ward, senior instructor of writing, Department of Writing Studies at the American University of Sharjah (AUS), said that his students are able to differentiate between writing styles.

Ward explained that by the time students reach university they can clearly identify when to use which language. Through an innate system Ward referred to as "code-switching", students can automatically swap between writing styles and the appropriate contexts in which they should be used.

"I don't generally believe that SMS is to blame for most of the problems that I see with my students' writing," Ward said.

"Using SMS text is just using words for a different communicative function and most of us realise this; we are adept code-switchers. We change our words as we change our attire to suit the context; we would not generally use slang or wear beach clothes for a job interview."

Palubiski said that she does spot a couple of messaging-related errors in her work, the most common one being the letter ‘u' for the word ‘you'.

"It does have an effect to a certain extent," she said. "Our college is very strict on this, however. If a student makes such an error in an essay not only do we mark it with red ink, but we highlight it to make sure it is not repeated."

Measures

Ward and Palubiski said that measures have been taken in the curriculum to prevent this new technologically-influenced language from bleeding into students' professional writing skills.

"Our writing courses at AUS address rhetoric, the use of languages for different purposes," Ward said. "But most of our students intrinsically know the difference between a text message and an argumentative essay."

One example of writing practice that Ward uses with his students to reinforce rhetoric is by asking them to write three postcards: one to their little brother or sister, one to their best friend, and one to the chancellor. "You can directly see the difference and the students' ability to change between writing styles in those postcards," Ward said.

"For example, in the one for their little brother, the students use simple vocabulary.

In the one for their friend, they use a lot of slang. And in the one for the chancellor, their best vocabulary comes out. Even the content among the three changes according to the relative context."

Palubiski, meanwhile, asks her students to write in three different styles: SMS, email and a formal letter to compare different forms of writing and learn what is appropriate in which context.

Change

Progression or regression?

So are we heading towards a simplified, more modern version of the English language or are we regressing back to caveman-like speech? According to both English experts, it's neither. Rather the correct description for this phase of the English language, according to Ward and Palubiski, is "change".

"I think it might be more accurate to say that our vocabulary is changing and always has been," he said. "Most people might not know what a word like ‘fain' means but then [English novelist] Jane Austen didn't know the meaning of ‘SMSing'."

Palubiski explained that part of the nature of language is that it must adapt to the times.

Today's fast-paced world that is heavily influenced by technology requires quick communication.

"Language must change according to the demands of the time to survive," Palubiski said. "Because Latin didn't change, the language died."

"Language is of its time and its people. It is an organic, ever-changing, ever-growing thing. This is why the dictionary is constantly being updated. I remember learning the word ‘bling' from my students over half a decade ago and how old and out of touch that made me feel," said Ward.

Are you a frequent text messager? Has this caused languages to become corrupted? Give us examples of how text language has invaded every day language? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.

We have to march with the IT if we do no want to be left out. SMS has not changed the lingo, it is very good for those who use these. Ladies are very fast with sending SMS, I have noticed. Example: wl in4 mo@4 tnt sy@7 dinrtm or the way the lovers transmit the ILU sms are soothers: ILU u hny tcoys b thr@ 3 wtng 4 u.
Firozali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 23, 2008, 15:09

I use SMS a lot and I do not have a problem with the abbreviations.
Maryam
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 23, 2008, 13:03