Hey EMC! I'm doing an essay in my English class on IWD. For those of you who don't know, IWD is Internet Written Dialect. This is basically everything written online, this also includes texts. For the essay, I need to comment on the different language used online and how people respond to it/what they think about it. If you can just answer a few simple little questions, it will help me out a lot! Age (10-20, 20-30 ect): How often do you text on your phone?: Do you use 'text speak?: If not, do you find it difficult to understand text speak?: Do you change how you speak online depending on who you're talking to? (friends, family, teachers/bosses): Do you know what the following things mean (No cheating!): lol - omg - 2moro - 2nite - gtg - brb - afk - irl - btw - jk or j/k - l8r - ty - tysm - ily - Anymore you know and/or use?: What are your opinions on text speak and incorrect grammar? Do you think it affects children's grammar? Do you think it is ruining the English language?: Relating to the poll, can you explain why you picked what you did (if you did the poll): I may add a few more questions, so please keep an eye out for those! I think I'm writing the essay on Monday, not too sure though... Thanks for reading and helping, it means a lot! Last time I did a homework thread like this I got asked what grade I got several times, so I'll try and let you guys know what grade I get as soon as it gets marked n.n
Haha, you get interesting homework Alice I am 14, do almost never send text messages with mobile phone, I have an iPad though, with which I can send and get send(read: get spammed). I do not really use "text speak". I often know what people mean when talking like that, but it is almost impossible to take them seriously and for me people who talk like that seem very childish. I would say, I feel the many iMessages using incorrect grammar I get are actually affecting my spelling. Well, a waste of time, it does maybe sometimes go faster to type(sometimes is doesn't even)but reading a part written like that is very difficult. I guess this will be my input for now
Age (10-20, 20-30 ect): 51 How often do you text on your phone?: Regularly Do you use 'text speak?: Sometimes. If not, do you find it difficult to understand text speak?: Sometimes. Do you change how you speak online depending on who you're talking to? (friends, family, teachers/bosses): Yes. Do you know what the following things mean (No cheating!): Yes. I feel we use it generally to make the task of conveying information easier, but it requires that the person reading your language can understand it. When I use them, I use abbreviations in moderation. Moderation is important. If your text is full of mangled language, it makes it harder to read instead of easier. I have found that some people have no business having a keyboard in their possession. The environment and audience is important. If I am sending a quick "k" to my son to let him know I will be somewhere to pick him up, that is all I need to do and he will understand it. I will also probably not proofread it before I send it. If I am trying to explain a complex idea to a business contact in an email, I will use complete words and write everything out carefully then probably proofread and edit it a couple of times before I hit send. A couple more words I often use: k ppl wut wha? or just: ? also emoticons
Age (10-20, 20-30 ect): 16 How often do you text on your phone?: a few times a day Do you use 'text speak?: not very often, but occasionally If not, do you find it difficult to understand text speak?: no Do you change how you speak online depending on who you're talking to? (friends, family, teachers/bosses): no Do you know what the following things mean (No cheating!): lol - laugh out loud omg - oh my god 2moro - tomorrow 2nite - tonight gtg - got to go brb - be right back afk - away from keyboard irl - in real life btw - by the way jk or j/k - just kidding l8r - later ty - thank you tysm - not sure what this means ily - not sure what this means Anymore you know and/or use?: IIRC - if i recall correctly AFAIK - as far as i know What are your opinions on text speak and incorrect grammar? Do you think it affects children's grammar? Do you think it is ruining the English language?: sometimes it is annoying, but usually it's only used in places where nobody cares, but if somebody uses it anywhere but texting then i automatically think that they are an idiot. Relating to the poll, can you explain why you picked what you did (if you did the poll):
Age (10-20, 20-30 ect): 10-20 How often do you text on your phone?: once-twice an hour (using an ipod ... i don't have a phone) Do you use 'text speak?: Occasionally. If not, do you find it difficult to understand text speak?: If it's like a 10 or more letter acronym it becomes difficult to understand the definition, but if it's a generic text word ... I understand it just fine. Do you change how you speak online depending on who you're talking to? (friends, family, teachers/bosses): Yes, with teachers I use normal grammar, same with my parents, with people online, while typing - I generally use correct grammar, unless if i'm feeling lazy or if i'm speaking out loud. Do you know what the following things mean (No cheating!): lol - laugh out loud omg - oh my god 2moro - tomorrow 2nite - tonight gtg - got to go (ugh such incorrect grammar ) brb - be right back afk - away from keyboard irl - in real life btw - by the way jk or j/k - just kidding l8r - later ty - thank you tysm - thank you so much ily - i love you Anymore you know and/or use?: rofl - rolling on the floor np - no problem sup - What's up? m8 - Mate What are your opinions on text speak and incorrect grammar? text speech, I generally don't mind - that's the new trend ... incorrect grammar, I find just being lazy - but I can generally tell the two apart. Do you think it affects children's grammar? Yes, actually, I believe newer generations of children use text speech sometimes and have no idea what the actual definition is. Do you think it is ruining the English language?: Not really, the English language has been expanding in the past few years, we have millions of words; if anything we are creating new lingo and words. Relating to the poll, can you explain why you picked what you did (if you did the poll): If you're wanting to be professional you need to know when to use text speech, and when not to.
Age (10-20, 20-30 ect):10-20 How often do you text on your phone?: Every Day Do you use 'text speak?: Occasionally If not, do you find it difficult to understand text speak?: Sometimes Do you change how you speak online depending on who you're talking to? (friends, family, teachers/bosses): Yes Do you know what the following things mean (No cheating!): lol - laugh out loud omg - on my goose oh my god/gosh 2moro -tomorrow 2nite -tonight gtg -got to go brb - be right back afk - away from keyboard irl - in real life btw - by the way jk or j/k - just kidding (joking) l8r - later ty - thank you tysm - thank you so much (took a couple seconds) ily - I love you Anymore you know and/or use?: 8 instead of the ayt sound... What are your opinions on text speak and incorrect grammar? Do you think it affects children's grammar? Do you think it is ruining the English language?: probably Relating to the poll, can you explain why you picked what you did (if you did the poll):
ect (or etc) = etcetera - which basically means 'and so forth' ... which with the examples given: age 10-20 ... and age 20-30 ... etcetera could mean 30-40 ... 50-60 .... 90-100 ... whatever applies from the former examples, really.
Age: Teen How often do you text on your phone?: Sometimes daily, sometimes every few days Do you use 'text speak?: Not at all, if I do then perhaps I am angry If not, do you find it difficult to understand text speak?: Sometimes I do, but I am used to hearing a lot of it now Do you change how you speak online depending on who you're talking to? (friends, family, teachers/bosses): I use full sentences with capital letters and punctuation, whoever I am talking to. I sometimes drop the full stop at the end - it really depends on what the intention is i.e. Being formal, being blunt Do you know what the following things mean (No cheating!): lol - Laughing out loud omg - Oh my god 2moro - Tomorrow 2nite - Tonight gtg - Got to go brb - Be right back afk - Away from keyboard irl - In real life btw - By the way jk or j/k - Joke(s)? l8r - Later ty - Thank you tysm - Thank you so much ily - I love you Anymore you know and/or use?: N/A What are your opinions on text speak and incorrect grammar? Do you think it affects children's grammar? Do you think it is ruining the English language?: I think text speak is actually ruining the language. I see younger students writing in all lower case letters with no punctuation and many spelling mistakes in writing that should actually be to some extent formal. It does not really annoy me when people use text speak - but sometimes I have to take a second to process what they have said and to get my head around the abbreviation. Some abbreviations are fine, even my username is an abbreviation (although official), however the text speak like the ones I translated above and other ones such as 'k' are not something you would see me use. Relating to the poll, can you explain why you picked what you did (if you did the poll): Text speak may be quick to type out but then it may take time for me to figure it out. I think it is actually quite damaging to the language and I am actually wondering what further generations along the line will write like. Will schools try to keep students writing properly? I could ask many questions, but it is all down to the way we were brought up. I use keyboards and write quite a lot (mostly on keyboards), and so therefore I was always getting to grips with the grammar and punctuation without even realizing. As I grew older, I actually used keyboards more, and therefore I developed a skill to type fast and type without looking at the keys, while still being able to use full sentences, perhaps it all was down to the way I grew up with it all. Hope this helps! PS: People who speak like "wt u up 2" are by no means in my good books.
Age: 30 How often do you text on your phone?: Never Do you use 'text speak?: Never If not, do you find it difficult to understand text speak?: Occasionally Do you change how you speak online depending on who you're talking to?: No Do you know what the following things mean (No cheating!): (yes to all) Anymore you know and/or use?: I prefer 'tyvm' over 'tysm' What are your opinions on text speak and incorrect grammar? Do you think it affects children's grammar? Do you think it is ruining the English language?: 'Text-speak' is destroying the foundation for proper use of English, through apathy. Using shorthand versions makes people lazy, to the point where they either do not know the difference between "your" and "you're," or simply do not care. There's little harm in using Text-speak on occasion, but it should not be considered a substitute for proper communication, or an excuse for bad grammar. Relating to the poll, can you explain why you picked what you did (if you did the poll): It's fine to use in moderation, but not at the cost of understanding proper language skills.
Age (10-20, 20-30 ect): 10-20 How often do you text on your phone?: Once a day. Sometimes not even once. Do you use 'text speak?: Nope. If not, do you find it difficult to understand text speak?: No, I learned what all of it means so I could understand what people are saying. Do you change how you speak online depending on who you're talking to? (friends, family, teachers/bosses): No. Do you know what the following things mean (No cheating!): lol - Laugh out loud. omg - Og my god. 2moro - Tomorrow. 2nite - Tonight. gtg - Got to go. brb - Be right back. afk - Away from keyboard. (The ONE I actually use.) irl - In real life. btw - By the way. jk or j/k - Just kidding. l8r - Later. ty - Thank you. tysm - Thank you so much. ily - I love you. Anymore you know and/or use?: I know atm - at the moment, plz - Please, thx/thnx - Thanks, np - No problem, imo - In my opinion etc... I know more, I just can't think of them. (Does etc count? It's shortened for something like et cetera which is Latin for "And so on"). [EDIT]: Does rsvp also count? It's shortened for repondez s'il vous plait (French) which means "Respond please". What are your opinions on text speak and incorrect grammar? Do you think it affects children's grammar? Do you think it is ruining the English language?: I think it's affecting the English language by making people progressively lazier and lazier at typing. Relating to the poll, can you explain why you picked what you did (if you did the poll): Didn't do the poll.
Age (10-20, 20-30 ect): 20-30 How often do you text on your phone?: A couple of times per week Do you use 'text speak?: sometimes If not, do you find it difficult to understand text speak?: - Do you change how you speak online depending on who you're talking to? (friends, family, teachers/bosses): yes of course Do you know what the following things mean (No cheating!): yes except ily Anymore you know and/or use?: lib? hw cya bff yw howru What are your opinions on text speak and incorrect grammar? Sometimes it can be really annoying if I see people using at all the time in their writing and it just makes no sense to use it in some cases (some abbreviations just make you seem dumb if you use them), but I use it myself quite often when the situation allows it and the people I'm talking to are familiar with the abbreviations, simply to save myself unnecessary typing time without compromising meaning. :3 I try to use only general abbrevations that don't contain extra layers of meaning or respect though, and when the abbreviation saves enough time to make it worth using. Examples: lol - Laughing out loud - yes, because it saves 12 out of 15 letters omg - oh my god - no, because of the disrespect 2moro - tomorrow - no, not time saving enough 2nite - tonight - see previous one gtg - got to go - hmmm sometimes, depends on how much of a rush I'm in. brb - be right back - yes, so much time saving :3 afk - away from keyboard - same as previous one irl - in real life - same as previous one btw - by the way - same as previous one jk or j/k - Just kidding - same as previous one Now, I have no problem using abbreviations like afk, irl and brb, but I wouldn't use things like bff, tysm, ily, because abbreviating those sentences makes them lose their meaning and respect and they're often used in meaningless ways. Do you think it affects children's grammar? I wouldn't know. What do the psychologists and scientists say? Do you think it is ruining the English language?: No. It just shows how careless and ignorant some people are. It doesn't ruin a language. Plus, I think no language is rigid, every language evolves over time. We're not still talking in medieval English, are we? Relating to the poll, can you explain why you picked what you did (if you did the poll): I would choose 'Depends on the situation'. Like I said, some abbreviations are useful, others are just ridiculous. Good luck on the essay
Age (10-20, 20-30 ect): 10-20 How often do you text on your phone?: Veryyy little Do you use 'text speak?: On skype If not, do you find it difficult to understand text speak?: N/A Do you change how you speak online depending on who you're talking to? (friends, family, teachers/bosses): I don't use text speak outside of the computer. I only use my computer to talk to friends. Do you know what the following things mean (No cheating!): lol -Laughing omg -Holy Crap 2moro -Next day 2nite -this night gtg -bai bai brb -I'll be back! afk - Trolls on LoL(Away from Keyboard) irl -This "Real Life" btw -by the way jk or j/k -My initials, or just kidding l8r -some other time later ty -thanks! tysm -^Read above ily - ♥Anymore you know and/or use?:Nope What are your opinions on text speak and incorrect grammar? Do you think it affects children's grammar? Do you think it is ruining the English language?: Incorrect grammar is for the computer, other than that children's grammar is how much effort they put into watching their own speech. And English? Well, the people in England speak English. We Americans speak American. Relating to the poll, can you explain why you picked what you did (if you did the poll): Text language is useful in some situation, emergencies, friends, ect. Formal is for real life and its other online formalities.
Age (10-20, 20-30 ect): 10-20 How often do you text on your phone?: Quite a bit, since it is faster than Email. Do you use 'text speak?: Sometimes. If not, do you find it difficult to understand text speak?: No. Do you change how you speak online depending on who you're talking to? (friends, family, teachers/bosses): Yes, because they know me to different extents. Do you know what the following things mean (No cheating!): lol - Laugh out loud omg - Oh My Gosh 2moro - Tomorrow 2nite - Tonight gtg - Got To Go brb - Be Right Back afk - Away from Keyboard irl - In Real Life btw - By The Way jk or j/k - Joking l8r - Later ty - Thank you tysm - Thank You So Much ily - I Love You Anymore you know and/or use?: None that immediately come to mind. What are your opinions on text speak and incorrect grammar? Do you think it affects children's grammar? Do you think it is ruining the English language?: I think it does effect grammar, especially those who like to text a lot, because I heard from one of my teachers that a student turned in an essay with text speak in it, and a different student sent her an email with text speak in it. Relating to the poll, can you explain why you picked what you did (if you did the poll): Text speak can be useful at times, if you have limited characters like 150 characters or so, but If you are sending an email or a text to your boss or teacher, then it is not so useful, because it is likely they wont reply because of the text speak, or you will probably get a really bad grade if you turn in an essay or something similar with text speak in it. Oh, and good luck on your essay!!!
Age (10-20, 20-30 ect): 20-30 How often do you text on your phone?: Rarely Do you use 'text speak?: Sometimes If not, do you find it difficult to understand text speak?: Only if you use text speak and STILL butcher that. Do you change how you speak online depending on who you're talking to? (friends, family, teachers/bosses): Sometimes. Do you know what the following things mean (No cheating!): lol - laugh out loud omg - oh my gosh/god 2moro - tomorrow 2nite - tonight gtg - got to go brb - be right back afk - away from keyboard irl - in real life btw - by the way jk or j/k - just kidding l8r - later ty - thank you tysm - thank you so much ily - i love you Anymore you know and/or use?: When joking around with friends we use a few bby grl- baby girl, ik - I know, etc. , there's always wtf - what the fudge or well...you know the last word can be substituted. What are your opinions on text speak and incorrect grammar? I usually read over it unless it is badly butchered that it's obvious you're doing it on purpose like replacing letters with numbers or other letters with each other. I'm sorry but "carming" =/= "calming" Do you think it affects children's grammar? Yes. Do you think it is ruining the English language?: Yes. People don't seem to take the time to bother properly reading/writing things anymore. It makes ZERO sense to misspell words that are right in front of you or shorten words that are maybe three letters. "cn u go 2 the store n gt sum milk?" "cn u by frm my shop?" also as Keph mentioned, the whole "then/than, they're/their/there, lose/loose" thing. I will seriously read your sentences: "I would rather be pee'd off then pee'd on!" "they're dog bit me!" "I have a lose tooth!" as "I would rather be mad before being urinated upon!" "they are dog bit me!" and "I have a fail tooth!" Relating to the poll, can you explain why you picked what you did (if you did the poll): It depends on the situation. I use them when joking with friends, when I'm in a rush and people just bother me etc.
Age (10-20, 20-30 ect): 20-30 How often do you text on your phone?: Depends on the day. Sometimes there are periods of one every few minutes followed by long periods of one every few hours/days. Do you use 'text speak?: only when searching for something in google while driving. If not, do you find it difficult to understand text speak?: some are pretty simple, others are ridiculous Do you change how you speak online depending on who you're talking to? (friends, family, teachers/bosses): Yes, with my colleagues at work, I am more apt to use language/ colloquialisms that would not be suitable for when I am speaking with my managers. In addition, the empire has managed to ruin my grammar due to the need to type faster than I am thinking. Do you know what the following things mean (No cheating!): lol - laugh out loud omg - oh my god 2moro - tomorrow 2nite - tonight gtg - got to go brb - be right back afk - away from keyboard irl - in real life btw - by the way jk or j/k - just kidding l8r - later ty - thank you tysm - ??? ily - i love you Anymore you know and/or use?: rofl - rolling on the floor (don't use) np - no problem sup - What is up? (grinds my gears, but I find that I use this more and more) m8 - Mate What are your opinions on text speak and incorrect grammar? Text speech can have correct grammar. Text speech is very dependent on acronyms and/or phonetics. To be honest, I would rather read a sentence with text speak thrown in than a sentence with incorrect grammar. I find it difficult to realize the true meaning of someone's sentence if their grammar is incorrect. Do you think it affects children's grammar? Somewhat. It is possible to have both text speak and CORRECT grammar. However, the idea of proper grammar is fading as the alternative relays information faster and more effective. And let's face it...people are lazy. One less word to type and they are all over it. Do you think it is ruining the English language?: How often do you find yourself thinking/saying lol instead of just laughing? Over time, language develops. I hate to admit it, but I have succumbed to it as well and with technology and the need for faster everything, I find that even the older generation has fallen victim. Relating to the poll, can you explain why you picked what you did (if you did the poll): There is a time and place for text speak as well as a time and a place for correct grammar. Please, for the love of everything that I hold dear, DO NOT use text speak when communicating something in regards to your professional life. Acronyms such as omg and lol DO NOT belong in a business email. Learn when it is and is not appropriate to use text speak and you should be fine. **Disclaimer: I have lost touch with correct grammar somewhat. Yes, the above answers most likely have grammatical errors. It would behoove you not to comment on them =P**
Age (10-20, 20-30 ect): 20-30 How often do you text on your phone?: Everyday... Do you use 'text speak?: Most times no. If not, do you find it difficult to understand text speak?: no Do you change how you speak online depending on who you're talking to? (friends, family, teachers/bosses): Most definitely Do you know what the following things mean (No cheating!): lol - laugh out loud omg - oh my god 2moro - tomorrow 2nite - tonight gtg - go to go brb - be right back afk - away from keyboard irl - in real life btw - by the way jk or j/k - just kidding l8r - later ty - thank you tysm - thank you so much ily - i love you Anymore you know and/or use?: nvm - nevermind h/o - hold on wtb - want to buy iirc - If I recall correctly, FTFY - fixed that for you What are your opinions on text speak and incorrect grammar? Do you think it affects children's grammar? Do you think it is ruining the English language?: I think you can use text speak, and still use correct grammar. Shorthand was a prominent thing in the late 70's through the early 90's. Shorthand was used for official purposes, I hardly see why making quick messages back and forth, would require many strict rules. Text messaging in its beginning had a text limit, which influenced the use of the text speech much more, however, it was used heavily in chat rooms before that, where there were not really character limits. As the digital age moves on, things like twitter and facebook influence a heavier use of text speech, limiting the characters you can type, it makes more sense to fit what you can in a condensed area. Incorrect grammar is hardly ever warranted, even with text speech,you can place words where they should be. I think the difference should be incorrect grammar versus Proper grammar. I do not write a college essay the same way I speak to my friends in person, why should I have to write online or through the phone and follow essay rules? Relating to the poll, can you explain why you picked what you did (if you did the poll): I chose 'Depends on the situation', more often than not, I will not use text speech, even when it would be quicker or more efficient. Though, if I am in a rush, and need to send a quick message, its nice to be able to send minimal effort. It also depends if I am using my phone or my computer. If I am on my phone and do not feel like putting it in the proper orientation for texting to be comfortable, I will usually use text speech, only because I want to spend as little time as possible texting.
Age (10-20, 20-30 ect): 15 How often do you text on your phone?: Never Do you use 'text speak?: Sometimes If not, do you find it difficult to understand text speak?: No Do you change how you speak online depending on who you're talking to? (friends, family, teachers/bosses): Yes Do you know what the following things mean (No cheating!): Yes lol - Laugh Out Loud omg - Oh My God. (Becky, look at that butt) 2moro - Tomorrow 2nite - Tonight gtg - Got to Go brb - Be Right Back afk - Away From Keys/Keyboard irl - In Real Life btw - By the Way jk or j/k - Just Kidding l8r - Later ty - Thank You tysm - Thank You So Much ily - I love You Anymore you know and/or use?: ROFL: Roll On Floor Laughing WTB: Want To Buy WB: Welcome Back m8: Mate nvm: Nevermind What are your opinions on text speak and incorrect grammar? Do you think it affects children's grammar? Do you think it is ruining the English language?: I personally hate extreme grammar errors and bad text speaking. If you are going to type something to us, LET US UNDERSTAND YOU. You can not simply say "hi evrbdy welcum 2 mi huse" and expect us to understand you. It fills me with disappointment that these people will someday be running the country. Relating to the poll, can you explain why you picked what you did (if you did the poll): It can sometimes be a waste of time when you are using them like there is tomorrow, however it is commonly used to expressed common activities, like LOL. You could just say "I laughed out loud" but that is a tad to long.
Age (10-20, 20-30 ect): Is this 10-19, 20-29 or what I guess I'll answer "yes" How often do you text on your phone?: Pretty much never. Do you use 'text speak?: Only when I'm trying to convey sarcasm. If not, do you find it difficult to understand text speak?: no. Do you change how you speak online depending on who you're talking to? (friends, family, teachers/bosses): yes. Do you know what the following things mean (No cheating!): lol - I have nothing better to say / I found your comment mildly amusing. omg - oh my gosh 2moro - tomorrow 2nite - tonight gtg - good to go / got to go brb - be right back afk - away from keyboard irl - in real life btw - by the way jk or j/k - just kidding l8r - later ty - thank you tysm - thank you so much ily - I love you Anymore you know and/or use?: I'll not include MMOSpeak because you didn't ask. smh, ffs, rofl, wtf, ftw, wth, nvm I've spent so long formatting and answering this poll that I can't remember any more. I know many more. What are your opinions on text speak and incorrect grammar? Do you think it affects children's grammar? Do you think it is ruining the English language?: I don't use text speak because it doesn't convey sincerity or genuine interest. It has no affect on grammar unless a child has no education on the matter. It does not ruin any language, though it does desensitize people to actual emotions. Relating to the poll, can you explain why you picked what you did (if you did the poll): I picked "a waste of time" because in any scenario where you want to send a message, you should put forth your best effort to show respect.
