Chat speak is a way of typing out abbreviated messages. Most people use it when they send text messages on a cell phone. For instance, I could say “brb” instead of saying “Be right back.”
I can tell it’s leaking into other media. The Internet is a prime example. A lot of my friends use chat speak on Facebook and MySpace. Instead of taking the time to write out their words, some just decide to use abbreviations.
It gets incredibly annoying. Sometimes I can’t even decipher what people are saying.
It’s feels like I’m looking at ancient runes. Saying “lol dnt b dm im btr dan u” is ridiculous. Not only does it take more time to read it, but it also takes more time to think of how to spell some abbreviations. It isn’t always faster or easier to abbreviate.
Some argue that chat speak dumbs down society. I don’t agree. It isn’t slowing down the economy or straining social security.
This is not a pandemic, but there is a hidden danger. When something is lost in translation, the meaning can be misunderstood.
Chat speak also doesn’t include tone. That’s one reason I despise long texting conversations. There are not many ways to show sarcasm. A lot of my jokes need a funny or crazy tone in my voice to deliver the joke. Otherwise, it sounds like I’m being completely serious. No, I didn’t mean to make fun of your mom.
People should just call each other if they are both avaiable to talk. It’s so much easier to ask questions and tell a longer story that way.
One reason it’s become popular is because of size limits. On every cell phone I’ve ever had, the character limit is 160, which includes spaces. I can squeeze two or three sentences in. That’s why I have used chat speak, just because I needed to fit it in one message.
I know a few people who text during class or at work. Hey, it’s their money that they’re wasting. I don’t care if they fail a 100-level class because they don’t pay attention.
Sometimes it’s better just to spell out all of the words. English isn’t completely phonetic, so I can understand why people would rather just abbreviate.
Still, when a person is typing on a keyboard, they should just spell out the words.
Chatters shouldn’t be wimps.
By JOSEPH DEVER
Editor
jwdever@ius.edu