SMS language
350978
225556024
2008-07-14T08:23:29Z
121.216.247.197
/* Abbreviations */
{{redirect|txt|other uses|TXT}}
{{wiktionarypar|txt}}
'''SMS language''' (also known as '''chatspeak''', '''txt''', '''txtspk''', '''txtk''', '''texting language''' or '''txt talk''') is the [[English language]] [[slang]] used in [[mobile phone]] [[Text messaging|SMS]]. It is an abbreviated form of English similar to a [[rebus]]. With [[predictive text]] input increasingly being used, it is becoming less common.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} This type of [[languages|language]] does not always obey or follow standard English [[grammar]]; furthermore, the words used in the writing system can't be found in standard [[dictionary|dictionaries]]. The invention of mobile phone messages may be considered as its source, although [[Ellipsis|elliptical]] styles of writing dating back to at least the days of [[Telegraphese|telegraphese]]. There are no standard rules for writing SMS languages.
a lot of words can also be shortened, such as text, then turns into txt. Words can also be combined with numbers to make them shorter, such as, later turns into l8er.
SMS is similar to [[AOL speak]] and Telex speak, and has evolved from the shorthand use in Internet [[chatrooms]] to accommodate the small number of characters allowed (early SMS permitted only 160 characters and some carriers charge messages by the number of characters sent), and as a convenient language for the small [[computer keyboard|keyboard]]s on mobile phones. Without practice, sending SMS messages can be time consuming.{{Fact|date=November 2007}}
{{TOCright}}
The objective of ''txt'' is to use the fewest number of characters needed to convey a comprehensible message. Hence, [[punctuation]], grammar, and capitalization are largely ignored.
==Text Devices==
===Single letters can replace words===
*''be'' becomes ''b''
*''see'' becomes ''c''
*''are'' becomes ''r''
*''you'' becomes ''u''
*''why'' becomes ''y''
===Single digits can replace words===
*''ate'' becomes ''8''
*''for'' becomes ''4''
*''to'' or ''too'' becomes ''2''
===A single letter or digit can replace a syllable===
*''ate'' becomes ''8'', so:
** ''great'' becomes ''gr8''
** ''mate'' becomes ''m8''
** ''later'' becomes ''l8r'' or ''l8a''
** ''skate'' becomes ''sk8''
** ''skater'' becomes ''sk8r''
*''for'' or ''fore'' becomes ''4'', so:
** ''before'' becomes (combining both of the above) ''b4''
** ''therefore'' becomes ''thr4''
* '' Are you there'' becomes ''r u there'' or ''r u dere''
*'' Love or Heart'' becomes ''<3''
*For example, Sorry becomes sry or srry
===Combinations of the above can shorten a single or multiple words===
* ''Your'' and ''You're'' both become ''ur'' or ''yr''
===Characters and punctuation can be removed to shorten messages===
* ''-in'' can replace ''-ing'' in most cases, similar to that in vocal slang.
**For example, ''coming'' becomes ''comin'' and ''txting'' becomes ''txtin''
*Vowels can be removed such that the sequence of consonants remain and the word is still recognizable.
**For example, ''between'' becomes ''btwn'' or b/w and ''yearbook'' becomes ''yrbk''.
**Or: '' Are you there'' becomes ''r u thr''
*Whole words may be omitted, especially [[article (grammar)|articles]].
*“/” can signify abbreviation, such as ''w/'' for ''with'' and ''s/t'' for ''something''.
==Abbreviations==
{{main|List of SMS abbreviations}}
''Account'' becomes ''acc''
''Address'' becomes ''addy''
''At the moment'' becomes ''atm''
''Be right back'' becomes ''brb''
''Be back later'' becomes ''bbl''
''Be back soon'' becomes ''bbs''
''Because'' becomes ''cuz'', ''bcuz'', ''bcz'', ''bcos'', ''bc'', ''cos'', ''coz'' or ''bcoz''
''Best friend'' or ''Boy friend'' becomes ''bf'' or ''b/f''
''Potally Texy'' becomes ''pt''
''Best friend(s) for life'' becomes ''bffl''
''Best friend(s) forever'' becomes ''bff''
''By the way'' becomes ''btw''
''Can't be assed'' becomes ''cba''
''Comment me back'' becomes ''cmb'' (usually used for [[social networking site|social networking sites]])
''Definitely'' becomes ''def''
''Don't worry'' becomes ''dw''
''Forever'' becomes ''4eva'' or ''4evr''
''For your information'' becomes ''fyi''
''Friend'' becomes ''frend''
''Got to go'' becomes ''g2g'' or ''gtg''
''Have a nice day'' becomes ''H.A.N.D.''
''Hold on'' becomes ''hld on'' or ''h/o''
''Homework'' becomes ''hw'', ''hwk'' or ''hmwk''
''How are you'' becomes ''hru''
''I don't care'' becomes ''idc''
''I don't know'' becomes ''idk''
''I love you'' becomes ''ily'', ''luv u'', ''ilu'', or ''luv ya''
''If I recall correctly'' or ''If I remember correctly'' becomes ''iirc''
''In my opinion'' becomes ''imo''
''In my humble opinion'' becomes ''imho''
''Jokes'' becomes ''jks''
''Just for laughs'' becomes ''jfl''
''Just joking'' becomes ''jj''
''Just kidding'' becomes ''jk''
''Just to let you know'' becomes ''jtlyk'' or ''j2luk''
''Know'' becomes ''kno'' or ''noe''
''Kiss my teeth'' becomes ''kmt''
''Kiss my ass'' becomes ''kma''
''Laugh out loud'' becomes ''[[lol]]''
''Lots of love'' becomes ''lol''
''Laughing my ass off'' becomes ''lmao''
''Laughing my fucking ass off'' becomes ''lmfao''
''Laughing quietly to myself'' becomes ''lqtm''
''Message'' (as in a text message) becomes ''msg''
''Never mind'' becomes ''nm'' or ''nvm'' (depending on context used)
''No problem'' becomes ''np''
''Not much'' becomes ''nm'' (depending on context used)
''Obviously'' becomes ''ovvi'' or ''obv''
''Of course'' becomes ''ov cors'' or ''ofc''
''Oh my god'' becomes ''omg'' or (comicly) ''[[zomg]]''
''Parents over shoulder'' becomes ''pos''
''Please'' becomes ''plz'' or ''plez''
''Probably'' becomes ''probz'', ''prbly'', ''prolly'', or ''prob''
''Love'' becomes ''<3'' or ''luv''
''Peace'' becomes ''pce'', ''pece'', or ''\/'' ([[V sign]])
''Right'' becomes ''rite''
''Rolling on the floor laughing (out loud)'' becomes ''rofl(ol)''
''Rolling on (the) floor laughing my ass off'' becomes ''roflmao'' or ''rotflmao''
''See you/see you later'' becomes ''cya'', ''cu'', or ''cya/cu l8er/l8a''
''Shut the fuck up'' becomes ''stfu''
''Something'' becomes ''sth'', ''s/t'', or ''sumthin''
''Son of a bitch'' becomes ''sob''
''Sorry'' becomes ''sry'', "soz", or "sori"
''Talk to you later'' becomes ''ttyl''
''Tata for now'' becomes ''ttfn''
''says'' becomes ''ses'' or ''sez''
''Text'' becomes ''txt''
''Text back'' becomes ''txt bck'' or ''tb''
''Thanks'' becomes ''thanx'', ''thx'', or ''fnx''
''Thank you'' becomes ''ty'' or "thnk u"
''Thank you very much'' becomes ''tyvm''
''Tomorrow'' becomes ''tom'', ''2moz'', ''2moro'', ''2mrw'' or ''2mara''
''To be honest'' becomes ''tbh''
''Welcome Back'' becomes ''wb''
''What'' becomes ''wat'', ''wut'', ''wht'', or ''wha''
''Whatever'' becomes ''w/e'' or ''wateva''
''No thank you'' becomes ''no fnk u'' or ''no ty''
==Frequency of use==
In one American study less than 20% of messages used the manner of abbreviations discussed above.<ref name="2b">{{Cite web
| last = Crystal
| first = David
| title = 2b or not 2b? | By genre | guardian.co.uk Books
| work = Guardian Unlimited
| accessdate = 2008-07-08
| date = 2008-07-05
| url = http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/referenceandlanguages/story/0,,2289259,00.html
}}</ref> In Norway just 6%<ref name="2b" />. In a collection gathered by linguist [[David Crystal]] just 10% of messages used SMS language <ref name="2b" />.
==The use of txt in school exams==
There have been some reports in the media of children using SMS language for essays in school:
* ([[August 16]], [[2002]]). “[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/2197173.stm Examiner's warning over exams culture]”. ''[[BBC]]''.
* ([[March 4]], [[2003]]). “[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2814235.stm Is txt mightier than the word?]”. ''[[BBC]]''.
* November 2006. The [[New Zealand]] Qualifications Authority discourages the use of text abbreviations after suggesting that they may be used in certain subjects provided they're clearly show the required understanding. [http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/news/releases/2006/101106.html NZQA Press statement] [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=329&objectid=10410066]
== See also ==
*[[Internet slang]]
*[[Emoticons]]
*[[Newspeak]]
*[http://www.txtk.net/ NationalTextingRegistry.us]
==References==
<references />
* Rai, Himanshu ([[October 30]], [[2005]]). “Thumbs Up!”. ''[[New Straits Times]]'', p. F14.
==External links==
* [http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/referenceandlanguages/story/0,,2289259,00.html 2b or not 2b?]
**[[David Crystal]] - [[Guardian Unlimited]] - 5 July 2008.
***This lengthy article talks about the rise of SMS messaging, the language used, precedents for abbreviated language in English and links to further contributions on the subject by [[Will Self]] and [[Lynne Truss]].
[[Category:Internet slang]]
[[Category:Mobile technology]]
[[de:Texting]]
[[es:Lenguaje XAT]]
[[eo:SMS-slango]]
[[fr:Langage SMS]]
[[no:SMS-språk]]