Chat Acronyms and Abbreviations.

Introduction

With the popularity and rise in real-time text-based communications, such as Facebook, Twitter, instant messaging, email, Internet and online gaming services, chat rooms, discussion boards and mobile phone text messaging (SMS), came the emergence of a new texting language, tailored to the immediacy and compactness of these new communication media.

1. What is an acronym?

According to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary acronym is a word formed from the first letters of the words that make up the name of something, for example ‘AIDS’ is an acronym for ‘acquired immune deficiency syndrome’.

There are thousands of text abbreviations, different chat abbreviations used by different groups of people online. For example, people who play online games are likely to use chat abbreviations that are different than those used by someone running a financial blog. While many chat abbreviations are used in general conversation, phrases used in specific topic-related texts are noted below. So let’s get started.

2. Why do people use Acronyms and Abbreviations? And why should you learn text message abbreviations?

Abbreviations and acronyms are used a lot in chat conversations and text messages as a way to speed up conversations, get points across quickly and type less when you’re in a rush. Now, with Twitter’s limited characters in every Tweet, abbreviations are becoming more popular than ever!

Why should you learn it? It is sometimes difficult even for the native speakers to understand some of the abbreviations they include in their messages. And you might think that it must be impossible for an English language student, but fortunately it is not. Sometimes it can be very embarrassing if you misunderstand an abbreviation or use one in the wrong way. For example, once I found a screenshot picture of the conversation between two people. One person sent a message: “Your great aunt just passed away. LOL” There was a reply: “Why is that funny?”, “What do you mean?”. LOL – is the abbreviation that confused those people. One thought it meant ”lots of love” which is not the correct meaning, and the other knew it meant “laughing out loud”. From this example you may see that learning abbreviations is a necessary work and it requires your attention.

Chat Acronyms and Abbreviations.

4. Text Message Abbreviations – Exercise

Task: Can you figure out the meaning of this text message conversation between 2 friends?

Sam: Jen RU coming to the party tmrw?

Jen: Yeah. Y?

Sam: GR8. B/C I want U2B my GF

Jen: I thought you liked my BFF

Sam: No I like U

Jen: I have a BF

Sam: IDC. IMHO he’s an idiot

Jen: BION I like him

Sam: I’ve never felt like this B4. ILU

Jen: PCM now

Sam: Haha JK. U believed me? ROFL. I don’t like you!

Jen: UR def not funny!

Sam: LOL. K CU tmrw. ETA?

Jen: IDK. 9 I guess

Sam: LMK

Jen: GTG TTYL

Sam: BFN XOXO

Answers: Sam: Jen, are you coming to the party tomorrow? – Jen: Yeah. Why? – Sam: Great. Because I want you to be my girlfriend. – Jen: I thought you liked my Best Friend Forever. – Sam: No I like you. – Jen: I have a boyfriend. – Sam: I don’t care. In my opinion he’s an idiot. – Jen: Believe it or not I like him. – Sam: I’ve never felt like this before. I love you. – Jen: Please call me now. – Sam: Haha just kidding. You believed me? Rolling on the floor laughing. I don’t like you! – Jen: You are definitely not funny! – Sam: Laughing out loud. Ok see you tomorrow. Estimated time of arrival? – Jen: I don’t know. 9pm I guess. – Sam: Let me know. – Jen: Got to go. Talk to you later. – Sam: Bye for now. Hugs and kisses.

Conclusion

Acronyms are used in all walks of life. The world of texting and instant messaging has given rise to a whole new series. Those written upper are not all of them, but they are the most useful. I hope my research will help you to communicate aqap (as quick as possible).

References

1. http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/

2. https://twitter.com/

3. Texting Dictionary of Acronyms (C G Publishing) Spiral-bound – October 1, 2009 by Randall C. Manning (Author, Illustrator), Ronda Manning (Editor)

4. Text Messaging Survival Guide Paperback – December 11, 2007 by Evie Shoeman (Author), Jack Shoeman (Author)

5. Texting Manual 4 Every1: A compilation of over 5000 Signs, acronyms and texting symbols Paperback – May 23, 2012 by Alexis McGeachy (Author)

Date: 2016-04-22; view: 2904