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???

[stewey]

y?

[Silversky]

haha.
u tel me =P

[stewey]

Hi, Silversky. I don't use 'text-speak', but then I'm a little older. However, keep in mind, years ago, people used a system called 'short-hand'. Things don't really change: they just get different names. There was a question on here recently asking what 'wfub' means in text-speak and nobody seemed to know........do you know?

[kp nonuts]

Stewey wfub is what you say to a traffic warden just b4 ya kick dem. it stands 4 who da fruck you booking

[saxy_jag]

I think it's because they can't write English properly, and no-one likes to admit they can't write, do they?

Stewey, I learnt two forms of shorthand - Pitmans and speedwriting. They're OK for notes to yourself, but were never intended for person-to-person communication - unlike textspeak. I can't reproduce the Pitmans on here, bt spdritng lks lik ths. U dont us t nlin bcs ts so bldy dfclt fr thrs t rd bk. Onl ny gd f u cn rmmbr wt u wr rtng bt n th fst plas.

[flip_flop]

People who use text speak on a proper qwerty key board are idiots.

Simple as that really.

Typing 'da' is really no quicker than typing 'the'.

Using 'da' for 'the' just makes them sound like complete morons.

[redcrx]

i hope its not because their education means that they cant actually write correctly.

'ma' instead of 'my' doesnt exactly save time does it, they must write exactly as they speak.

[Ethel]

People still use shorthand in the workplace - it serves a proper function but was never used in the mainstream.

Anybody without the training would not have understood any of it.

I think the young people who use text speak on this site have no idea that many ABers are much older, with lots of pensioners.

They probably have very poor spelling and grammar and poor command of the English language generally.

Maybe they can prove me wrong on that point.

[saxy_jag]

'ma' instead of 'my' doesnt exactly save time does it, they must write exactly as they speak.

When kids' television encourages it, what can you expect? I refer to 'Dick and Dom in da Bungalow'. I'm sure there are others.

[RATTER15]

The one that gets me is the kids that type "yer" instead of yes!! why? it is the same amount of letters!! its not even quicker, is it trendy or something?

Im confused!!

[unrulyjulie]

I hate da and ma more than anything! when my son is on msn, i would need a translator to see what they are talking about! Its like a whole new language,That's kids for you though! Lets hope they grow out if it. Imagine that in the workplace!

[glitzybabe]

heeya!!! i thnk its about time i made a show on this question lol, so yeah as ive said before that people just get into a habit of writing lyk dis because they text so much and dont realise that people dont understand it i mean its not really that hard to work it out...and yeah i dunno who said this earlier but we do usually write how we speak and as you can see now i'm trying to write in proper english to prove that i can

[unrulyjulie]

text speak was invented, for want of a better word, because space was limited when sendng a "TEXT" To use it as an everyday thing such as on here is pointless. Bebo is more the place for that.

[Silversky]

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.
I'm 16 and when Im on msn or on my phone, I type out everything properly, so I know my language won't change and I can type it pretty fast with no problems, and I bet I could beat most typing, even using full hand.

[glitzybabe]

no way! your sixteen and you use proper grammar ect in texts...why? just wondering, dont mean to sound rude. yeah i understand what people mean about this not being the place, but i only just joined yesturday and assumed that it would be fine, but i learnt pretty quickly that people don't like text language and i did change.

[Silversky]

Because I think it appears lazy, and I think it's easier to read. Ever since I've done it, all my friends have picked it up, and most of them write properly to me.
Because they know I prefer it.
I've always been worried that if I didn't I'd lose how to write properly. And to be fair, I know a lot of people struggle to write properly because they over-use text talk.
So I just prefer it. It looks a lot better to everyone else too!

[unrulyjulie]

i think if you know that glitybabe then thats fine. Good for you!

Like everything there's a time and a place for things. Text speak is fine when you and your likeminded mates are chatting on msn or on Bebo but to do it as a general why of writing is not ideal.

Can i ask, do you find it difficult to write "normally"?

[Hermia]

I work in a library and we take on lots of teenagers to work over the summer holidays. They can send in their CV attached to an email and write their application letter in the body of the email. You wouldn't believe the amount of applications we have written in text speak with no captial letters or punctuation.

Mind you, you won't believe the amount of teenagers who turn up to their first day of work wearing clothes that are more appropriate for clubbing. Someone is obviously not explaining the concept of dressing appropriately for the situation to them!

[glitzybabe]

yes i have came to realise that on here it is best to type properly now. Yes i can type properly i studied administration and business management and just got grades A and B in them at higher so i am quite pleased with that, and i think that that should prove to others that i do know how to type properly. I didn't want that to sound like i was boasting or anything sorry. I have to admit i probably do over use text alot but hey im working on it.

[unrulyjulie]

i was asking you glitzy because my son worries me with it to be honest. I'm hoping that he hasnt already lost the abiltity to write correctly! If he ever had it that is ;-)