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Abbreviating Text Messages Takes up Time, Study Shows

by Lee Bains on December 9, 2008 at 07:01 AM



A recent study at the University of Tasmania suggests that, while using abbreviations in text messages might save a sender some time, trying to interpret those abbreviations wastes the time of the receiver, News.com.au reports.

Doctor Nenagh Kemp, a professor of psychology and leader of the two-month-long study, told the News, "Though it was quicker to write a message with abbreviations than conventional English, it took twice as long to read and many students made interpretation errors."

This assessment should be of no surprise to anybody who's exchanged text or instant messages with abbreviation-happy friends or co-workers, and has maybe even seen a misunderstanding become ugliness only from a simple lack of clear communication.



While rappers and Prince acclimated us to the obvious abbreviations '2,' '4' and 'u' years ago, many abbreviations have only come about since the dawn of instant messages and texts, 'brb,' 'lol' and 'omg' being among them. Still, those abbreviations have increasingly entered into the vocabulary of most plugged-in folks. Dr. Kemp, though, mentions two terms unfamiliar even to geeks like us: 'pu' for "pick up" and 'cn' for "seeing you soon" are both new to us.

As pervasive as texting has become in our lives and our language, we can only agree with Dr. Kemp's guidance: "It is fine if you are in a rush. But if you are writing an essay... use proper English." Wouldn't it be tragic if our century's Shakespeare were to write, "2 b or not 2 b?" [From: News.com.au]

Tags: language, lolspeak, psychology, research, study, texting

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