The advent of mobile phones and internet based instant messaging has given rise to a
new language - txt talk - where words are
abbreviated so that messages can be easily communicated in 140
characters or less. For many parents, teachers and
professionals who work with young people, these abbreviations can
be difficult to understand.
We have talked previously
about the issues related to using social networking
sites to engage students you work with. However their use can
be particularly successful in demonstrating to students that you
understand them and their world. But to what extent can or should
you use 'txt talk' to communicate with students through these
sites? As a teacher, your challenge is to present yourself as
someone who is approachable and understands young people and their
experiences, while speaking from a place of authority as you
provide trusted advice on sometimes sensitive topics. Using age
appropriate and contemporary language in your interactions is
important, but do you really need to go as far as using 'txt
talk'?
There is certainly a point at which composing a sentence filled
with 'lols' and signing off with 'cu l8r' makes you look like more
of what young people would describe as a 'try hard' than someone
who 'gets them'. It's a fine line. So how do you get
the balance right?
And what about the literacy and grammar pundits who are
horrified at the emergence of text talk in English essays and exam
responses. Much of this debate needs to be measured in relation to
the purpose of the communication and the appropriateness of using
abbreviated terms. As with any abbreviations, if there is a risk
the reader will not understand the abbreviation then the full
version of the term should be used. There are also cues in the
nature of the communication and the level of formality that is
required in the use of language. Here are some tips that may help
you decide whether txt talk is for you.
1. Take your cues from the young people you work with.
Listen to and read the language they use online, in texts and face
to face and reflect this back to them only in your "informal"
online communication to them.
2. If you don't understand an acronym or abbreviation don't use
it! My Mum still think LOL means "lots of love" when in fact it
means "laugh out loud".
3. Similarly, if you don't feel comfortable using an acronym or
abbreviation don't use it. Young people can sense your
uncertainty.
Do all young people txt talk?
Anecdotal evidence would suggest not. In fact, young people
with Aspergers Syndrome and learning difficulties often find the
style of language used in SMS messaging and on social networking
sites even more difficult to understand. For young people
with Aspergers the casual nature of these online communications can
challenge their preferred communication styles, while for young
people with learning disabilities, making sense of the
non-traditional combinations of letters and numbers can be
extremely difficult.
Need to brush up on your txt talk?
Finding it hard to understand the texts you're receiving
from young people? Here's a couple of websites you might find
useful.
Chat acroymns:
http://www.sharpened.net/glossary/acronyms.php
Text messaging and chat abbreviations:
http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/textmessageabbreviations.asp
Join the discussion...
How do you feel about txt speak? Is it something
you use? If it is, how do students respond when you use this
language? Any tips for others? What strategies do you use
with students to ensure they understand when it is and isn't
appropriate to use txt talk in your subject area?
Thanks to Michelle Blanchard, Senior Research Officer,
Inspire Foundation for her input to this article.