Introduction:
Cell phones have changed the way we communicate. Most folks know it as “messaging.” We substitute word communication with a shorthand of abbreviations, acronyms, and cartoon faces. Maybe a new form of stenography has been created. I’m curious, what if the way we text becomes the way we talk?
I remember letters before there was texting. I’ll bet you do too. We used to write complete sentences to each other! “Now you remember!” Our correspondence had subjects, verbs, mostly correct spelling, and even some punctuation.
But cell phone texting changed that. With Cellular phones, we write each other in a different form known as “texting.” Some call it “messaging.” For some reason, brevity has become the goal in electronic correspondence. Words and phrases are shortened into abbreviations, acronyms, and cartoon faces.
I suppose this novel form of “short-hand texting” saves time when posting. Maybe it’s just fun using something new. Now there are over a hundred acronyms for shorthand texting that have been gathered into copyrighted lists and published – of course – electronically.
I’m not proficient in this form of language, but I do recall some simple examples. I texted a grandson, and his answer was the one letter “K.” Or the letters “B4” are used as a stand-in for the term “before.” Other examples are: “B4N” – (bye for now), “CSL” – (can’t stop laughing), “GTSY” – (glad to see you), and “NBD” – (no big deal).
The popularity of shorthand texting has spread to everyday conversation. “TMI” (too much information), “LOL” (laugh out loud), “BYOB” (bring your own bottle), and the ever-popular one-letter “K” (okay) are now used in face-to-face talk.
Any day now, I expect to overhear “shorthand talk” used around the town square. Imagine Ken Greer passing by Brad Hyman. Since they are up-to-date guys in a hurry, they speak in shorthand and rush away.
Shorthand Talk Translation
Ken: “H” hello
Brad: “HB” hello back
Ken: “How RU?” how are you
Brad: “AAK” active and kicking
Ken: “GTR” got to run
Brad: “GTSY” glad to see you
Ken: “B4N” bye for now
Brad: “K” okay
