Can Text Messaging Be Communicated In Person And Be Considered A New Language Of Choice? (cost, military)

[ChewyIne]

Hello All!
I am getting ready to write an article regarding "Text Messaging" and before I do, I wanted to get some various opinions and views, whether pro or con. With "Text Messaging" becoming more and more a "needed" tool I am getting some ill feeling that this shortand voice communication is increasing its way to a form of absolute communication throughout the world. From my prospective, as humans we need both a physical and techonological communication in order to survive not only in the "now" but into the future as well. Which brings me to these questions below. I would like to get your outlook and expertise on this:

Is text messaging the new "universal language?"

Should it be considered an addition to the second language or should it become a primary language?

And last,Can text messaging be done in person be considered a new language of choice?

Thanks for all your valuable feedback!

[sierraAZ]

Call me old-fashioned, but I never felt any need for it... Haven't done it and don't plan to do it. A few years back I was surprised that everybody was doing it in Europe. However, it had a logical explanation there - it was cheaper than making calls. Why in this country would anybody bother with texting, which is inconvenient and costs extra is absolutely beyond me...

[Chicago60614]

what do you mean texting as a different language??? Don't we just text in Englilsh? (or whatever language, you get the idea).

People have been using abbriviated messages for thousands of years, this is no different. Actually I'm addicted to texting, but I just use the predictive dictionary and spell everything out. It only takes a few seconds...

I think it's stupid to teach it, and it's certainly not a separate language.

[ScranBarre]

I text in complete sentences and with proper punctuation, as you see here on the forums. If I'm a bit too long-winded, I just follow with a second text message. Those people who abbreviate everything while texting are just lazy, in my humble opinion (or IMHO for those of you who prefer that).

[ChewyIne]

I agree as you stated that we all text in English or as you said "Englilsh"... And yes people have been using abbreviated messages for thousand of years. Let's say a way of communication to bypass the "bull" and get to the point. Not to stray totally off the subject but alot of slang is used when using text as well... Shall we say a form of "Ebonics" text messaging perhaps. Ok soo if we in the United States who invented the "Ebonics" language (to be exact Oakland, CA) is used as a second language was taught in the school districts. One day I applied for the Sacramento, CA City Employment Site and one of the questions asked about what language do I speak.. Choices were obvious but one stuck out. It blew my hair back! I had to do a "double take". It said "EBONICS". What???? You mean I needed to learn Ebonics before I jumped out into the Working world?? They didnt teach this in school? To get to the point, if text messaging is becoming more popular not just to the US but all parts of the world, can it fall under the category of the guidelines of "Ebonics"?

[DannyBanany]

I wish to hell I never taught my mom to text!

[ChewyIne]

Hee, hee, Hee

[ChewyIne]

Like you, as you can see I am a bit long-winded myself.. And I continously like to use full sentences myself. I think that was an excellent comment . Now to comment on what you stated regarding being lazy.. when I worked for SBC Telecommunications as a Project Manager, pretty much every document and training materials we had were coded in "ACRONYMS". Ok I had to check myself into reality for I felt like I was at a military training . Ok since there is alot of materials to absorb.. then I can see why it would mainly be abbreviated. However we were taught in school, in order to succeed and follow the laws of the land we had to grasp the perfect and professional form of English, Grammar and Writing. Yet once we graduate from school we are told from the companies that knowing text messaging skills will greatly increase your chances of getting hired.
So to get to a point.. in order to become a success in the day of age of corporate employment are we becoming lazy with this sort of "text" language? Then shouldn't be taught in school

[lammius]

LOLOL idk i thnk its l4me

[Steve-o]

Text messaging is as lame as the person doing the texting. I frickin hate that crap.