To begin with, textography is known as "the use of single letters, numerals, and tyographic symbols to represent words, part of words.." Examples of textography would be logograms or logographs which are, be = b, to = 2, at = @, and 'x' = kiss. Many of these logograms are found in text messaging. Other examples are "zzz" which means the person is sleepy or "2day" which is a shorter version of today.
Another shortened version of speaking through a text message is using emoticons. Examples of emoticons are :-) = smile, ;-) = wink, and (^_^) = cute. When a person is using visual images to represent the way he/she feels, this is called pictogram or pictographs.
The author argues that a emoticon and pictogram used in Egyptian hieroglyphs and often act at two completely separate meanings. For example, the @ can be used as "at" or used as ":-@" which means "screaming." A person can read this two different ways. The options for translating the symbols are listening to the sound or looking at the shape. Although the author points out the symbols are different, there is one similarity to the symbols. The similarity is known as rebus. "A rebus is a message which, in its original definition, consists entirely of pictures that are used to represent the sounds of words rather than the objects they refer to." An example of a rebus is a person looking at a picture of a bee followed by the letters "st" and then the person putting the two objects together therefore getting the word "beast."
The article then goes on to explain initials, which are better known as acronyms for texting. Examples of these would be: DK = I don't know, JK = just kidding, NP = no problem, or GF = girlfriend. Basically, each of these acronyms are created from the first letter of each word. A more complex acronym that shows a better example of using the first letter of each word is: SWDYT = So what do you think? There are other abbreviations that have been known all throughout history such as: ASAP = as soon as possible, RIP = rest in peace, or TTFN = ta ta for now.
Soon after the abbreviations came the omitting of the letters. When creating a text message, a person normally omits the vowels in a word allowing the word to be shorter and making the text message easier and faster to send. As for the omitting of the vowels comes the incorrect and shortening spelling of the words. Examples such as, been versus bin or going to versus gonna are only two of the many that are known.
To sum up the article, the author then asks the question: "Why do they do it?" "Why has distinctive language of texting arisen at all?"
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I have recently done a lot of reading on text messaging and can say that the use of texting is actually growing more confusing because of the increasing use of acronyms. The funny thing about texting is that with any language a person wants to make sure that his or her message is understandable, so who explains that :-@ translates into screaming to everyone? Texting is forming into a whole other written language full of shortened words and symbols. The language will soon be just a large rebus needing to be deciphered.
ReplyDeleteThis kind of language is not only common in text mesagging, it is expected. I have a friend that texts in complete sentences, and he even uses semicolons occasionally. It's pretty amusing because even though I am in this grammar class and plan to become a high school English teacher, I still roll my eyes and laugh at him when I see the way he texts. I use logograms when I text (although I did not know that is what they are called), and I also use emoticons as well. However, when I see the acronyms I am usually confused because I do not know what most of those mean or stand for. Overall, I think text messaging language has its place and is very beneficial when used only in texting, but it is really annoying to see this creep into people's formal writing.
ReplyDeleteWhen texting friends, the majority of "texters" out there would never consider composing a text message in Standard English. Through internet sites such as Facebook, people are able to talk however they please anytime of the day. However, some smart phones correct misspellings automatically and even change words that we might type like "cant" or "dont" into "can't" and don't." Overall, while text and internet lingo has its' place like everything else in this world, it can never replace formal writing no matter how big of an epidemic it becomes.
ReplyDeleteThis article was interesting to me because texting is a some what new phenomenoa. It has only been around for a short number of years, however, it has evolved into what people are now calling a new type of language. I find it quite interesting that it has transformed as it has, in such a short period of time. I text everyday so I have become very accustomed to the"language" of text messages. So accustomed, to the point where I hardly take a second glance at the word forms, emoticoms, and acronyms that are being used to relay simple messages. The text messaging workld of writing has become apart of young adults culture, I am interested in seeing where it will go from here.
ReplyDeleteNick, I guess I would be someone you laugh at. Although I understand that some people text differently than how they write papers or emails (hopefully) in order to save time and space, I personally prefer to text in proper grammar, or at least as properly as I would write or speak.
ReplyDeleteThere are many reasons why I don't like receiving texts that contain such language. From a purely aesthetic perspective, it's unpleasant to look at. Language and writing can be interesting forms of expression, and although I don't expect poetry from text messages, I would like to be able to discern my friends' writing from that of fifteen year olds. Some of these acronyms and abbreviations are not only ugly, but also hard to decipher. I don't like having to google something I receive in a text message, nor do I expect people to have to do that when they receive a text from me. I would rather be considered a laughing stock for having good grammar than have to be decoded every time I have something to say.
It is very intresting how texting has formed its own language. Texting is somewhat of a new technology and it's amazing how fast it has created its own language. This language creates a quicker and easier way to talk with each other. This language has also molded into our everyday speech and writing. I don't know how many times I have heard someone talk in text slang. It always makes me laugh because half the time I have no idea what they are saying. I am also curious to see how this language will evolve over time. Who knows where the texting language will go from here.
ReplyDeleteI think it is very interesting how we have formed a new language through texting. Although I often text formally like I am writing a paper and use correct punctuation and spelling, I often find myself using LOL or LMAO to symbolize how funny something is. I do text A LOT but I sometimes have a difficult time trying to decipher some of the acronyms found in text messages I receive. I think it is very interesting that this form of language has a name to it and people are worried about the future of "textography". I think it is easy for people to distinguish between Standard English and text lingo so people shouldn't have hard time writing formally.
ReplyDeleteI don't think texting was ever meant to be a formal experience. You are in the comfort of your own conversation between you and someone else so many people get really comfortable with that idea and text the way they feel at that moment. Texting is a quick exercise mainly used to to be fast and substitute for a phone call. Abreviations such as lol, smh, omg all prove that texting is meant to be quick and straight to the point, not to be treated as a final paper to your teacher. Texting is fun because it has no restrictions or rules and it should stay that way.To actually text in standard english with all the correct punctuation, sentence structures, subject verb agreement and s much more would take away from its convenience. However if you learn how to separate the two (Texting & Standard English) you should be fine.
ReplyDeleteI am guilty of shortening words and using short-cuts to make my texts as short as possible so I can send them faster. Actually, my friend, Brittani, and I have our own texting code. We will say "dykwim" and it means "do you know what I mean." We like using our code because no one else knows what we are talking about. I do not think that it effects my way of writing when it comes to writing a paper or some other type of formal writing. I like how the article talked about using smiley faces to express your feeling through texting. I probably overuse smiley faces when I text but it's fun!
ReplyDeleteI feel very strongly about this issue. I have a serious problem with texting, and trying not separate my texting writing and my standard English writing. I find myself writing "u" for you, "r" are, "tht" for that and leaving out the "g" in "ing" words. I have to look over my writing and correct these issues. In writing this paragraph I made a mistake similar to these.
ReplyDeleteI find myself shortening words while text messaging to create more room. It is annoying when I have to send another text just for one or two words. However, most of the time I do spell out all of the words because it is easy to do so on my phone. This also depends on the person whom I am text messaging. I do agree with the fact that text messaging has created it's own language, however, I believe it is more present with younger people. I receive text messages from younger people from my church once in a while and I cannot understand what they are trying to say. It is an interesting topic to explore.
ReplyDeleteI find it very intersting how texting has become its own language. This is appealing because I'm guilty of shortening words down all the time when I text. I shorten words down becuse I feel that I have the freedom to do so unlike in Standard English. This creative freedom is one I truly enjoy because you can never be grammticallly incorrect. However, with that being said I also feel that it's crucial for texting not to become part of your standardized writing style. This can portray a lack of intelligence and ignorance. Once there is a balance between the us of both of these languages then there will be less problems.
ReplyDelete