Text communication is more similar to speech than written language
Acronyms: lol,omg,idk,ily,brb
Repeated Consonants: surelyyyyy
Homophones: u-(you), 4-(for), y-(why)
Abbreviations: k-(okay) tmrw-(tomorrow) nvm
Recently texting has become one of the most prevalent ways to communicate with different language effects being established everyday. As a result of the growth in text communication new features are being used that are similar to the spoken language. These effects ,that are used via texting , such as acronyms, homophones and abbreviations, allow text communication to be more alike the spoken language than formal writing.
Abbreviations are one of the most common and efficient language features that are used throughout texting. Abbreviations are a shortened form of a word. They are used , both in written and spoken language, to be able to communicate more quickly. Speed of text communication has become an important aspect of texting because the amount of time it takes to type a message can have effect on the conversation. The word ‘aight’ is an abbreviation of ‘all right’; it has been shortened so it is easier to say and/or type. Text messaging does not share this similarity with formal writing, however abbreviations (such as aight) are also used during speaking. This demonstrates how text messaging can be more similar to speech than written language.
Another common language effect are repeated consonants. A repeated consonant is when a letter is repeated in a word, for example “surellyyyyy”. The ‘y’ has been repeated to add emphasis so it can replicate what it would sound like if you were speaking this word. Using repeated consonants while texting can give more insight to the receiver as to what the word means in that context. In formal writing you are unable to repeat letters if they are not already repeated in the initial spelling. It would be incorrect spelling of that word. Text messaging does not have any rules that do not allow you to repeat the consonant of a word.
Homophones are also a feature that is similar to the spoken language. Homophones are two words that sound the same but have different spelling. They are used in texting to make communicating casual and more efficient and faster. “u” and “y” are some of the simplest yet most used homophones. “u” has been used instead of “you” so the conversation can be written and read faster. Using these homophones makes the communication faster but also more casual. I can make the conversation feel less formal, as though you are talking in person. Text messaging has used this feature to replicate the modern speech.
Text communication has proven to be more similar to speech than the written language. Everyday more language features are being created which means these features are becoming more like speech. Abbreviations, repeated consonants and homophones are language effects that all share similarities with the modern speech. Most of language features mentioned have been created to make texting more efficient and casual. It has only been 28 years since the first text message was sent and already text communication has become very similar to the spoken language.
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