What is SMS language?
With the assistance of new media
and technologies, people nowadays can communicate with each other more easily
as they have numerous choices to get in touch with their friends and family. Unlike
speaking, to enhance the efficiency of communication and to save time, space
and cost constraints, people would shorten their sentences while typing. Thus,
a new language variety has been generated – SMS language. Please note that this
kind of abbreviation is not only used in SMS (Short Message Service), but also
in other Internet-based communication such as forums, emails, instant
messagers, Facebook and etc.
Due to the limitation of mobile
phone keyboard and the default setting of the mobile phone in the past, people were
only enabled to type in English. This is one of the reasons why SMS language is
English-based or alphabets-based.
Well, the SMS language is all about
word reduction! How to use the fewest number of letters (or characters) to
express the ultra-concise meaning and sentiment is the crucial thing.
Therefore, it does not always obey and follow the grammar rules of standard
language.
Besides, various linguists, such as David Crystal, have suggested the
classification of SMS language. So, I am going to list out some of the
linguistic properties and style of SMS code proposed by them:
1. Initialization
e.g. LOL - laugh out loud, lmao - laugh my
ass off, OMG – Oh my God! ASAP – As soon as possible
2. Reductions and shortenings
e.g. SEC – second, THX – thanks
3. Logograms and pictograms
e.g. u – you, I <3 u – I love you, c u –
see you.
4. No capitalization
5. Variation in spelling
There are no standard spellings for this
code. Users can adapt their own styles as long as the other communicators
understand their meaning.
6. Replacing
- Single letter replaces word: b- be, r-
are, u –you, y- why.
- Single digit replaces word: 1- won, 2- to,
4- for, 8 – ate
- Single letter or digit replaces a syllable
or phoneme: 4get- forget, b4 –before, w8-wait
SMS language in different languages
Other
than English, There are also examples of SMS language in different tongues.
EXAMPLES in different languages:
FRENCH:
lol or mdr for “mort de rire” : to be doubled up with
laughter
slt for salut: hi
bjr for bonjour: hello
cc for coucou: informal hi
cv? for ça va?: how are you?
b1 for bien: fine
a+ for à plus tard: see you later
 |
| Can you guess what it means? |
SPANISH:
a2 for adios: goodbye
aki for aquí: here
asias for gracias: thanks
c for sé, se: I know; (reflexive pronoun)
d for de: from, of
ers for eres tú: you are, are you
fsta for fiesta: party
hl for hasta luego: see you later
hla for hola: hello
k for que, qué: that, what
kls for clase: class
pf for por favor: please
pq for porque, porqué: because, why
q tal? for qué tal: What's happening?
xo for pero: but
Reference:
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