I know it sounds strange...

[Silversky]

But I've been reading around afew posts. and all the teenagers 'hu tlk lyk dis' seem to get wound up so easily when confronted by why they type like this, or are asked to stop...
weird huh???

[Pippa68]

My sister writes out cards using this language..and she is 30! beggars belief.

My teen kids (14 & 17) use it to txt, but I have never seen them type like it. Thank the lord, I would pull them up short, I tell you!

[cheries]

Silversky says; "But the thing is, you still don't use any punctuation except for the odd pauses and and exclamation mark, to me thats not good grammar. I'm not picking on you particular, because most people who talk in text talk don't seem to produce good grammar either."
Silversky, have you taken a look at your own grammatical offerings of late? I find it hard to take anyone seriously when they highlight other people's failings and then do the same themselves.
However, in answer to the original question submitted; Language evolves on a daily basis - that's what keeps it alive and relevant to the people who use it. Two hundred years ago we spoke using slightly different words and syntax. The language reflected the social environment of the time. As an English Language teacher I personally have no problem with text-speak, because this is just another way of people communicating with each other. It would be terrible if people felt too uncomfortable to talk to each other simply because they were embarassed about their spelling or punctuation. I think the issue here is a social one; that is to say that in my opinion it's far better to communicate with a common bonding language than not to communicate at all.

[joko]

i think text speak is great - in texts, though i must admit i only use it sparingly with things such as, u, 2, 4 and 2moro etc i can't be bothered to cut out one letter here and there - unless the text i am sending is long and important - i may then go through it afterwards ''making more space'' to continue writing.

it is not so much that we can't understand it - as has been said, it is easy to figure it out - it just takes longer, and many simply can't be bothered.
i guess its a case of - if you can't be bothered to write in a way that makes it easy for me to read, then i can't be bothered to read it and try to help.

i find it very sad that kids would think it appropriate to apply for a job - at a library of all places - and write in this way - that to me does not show that its just a thing between mates and they assume people will understand - it shows laziness, lack of thought, and frankly, stupidity - surely even kids must understand that it is 'not the norm' for grown ups and in working life!

[joko]

i have also noticed a lot of people don't leave gaps after commas and full stops anymore - is this because of texting too, do you think?

[glitzybabe]

lol i like this english language teacher i think your great. Wow would you look at that a space after a full-stop what are the odds?!? and i agree people applying for a job using text language is ridiculous and i would never go that far.