Lai 1

Sami Lai

Eng. 1-H, Per. 2

Mrs. Webber

12/15/07

IM Meets World

ROFL, LMAO, LOL, FOCL, all these acronyms have something in common. They all symbolize laughing. The simplest being LOL, meaning laughing out loud and the more complex being FOCL, suggesting one might be rolling on the floor laughing. In a chat room,seeing such acronyms is not strange; in fact, it is quite normal. In the world of instant messaging the English language, stripped of punctuation, grammar, spelling, and even sometimes vowels, becomes the lingo of IM (Hoffman). With the many advantages to the new IM lingo, there really is no wonder why teens are using it. This lingo has evolved incredibly and leaves people marveled in its creative context. The new hybrid language of instant messaging has advantages and is leaving its mark on the world.

Being a morph able language English leaves plenty of growing room for generations to transform. The language of IM has taken only the essentials of the English language and throws in a few numbers and extra letters for looks. With total disregard for grammar and spelling, the instant messaging lingo consists of acronyms, numbers, and words spelled as they sound (Hoffman). I don’t know transforms to IDK, and okay can range anywhere from mmkay to kk. The language of IM combines both spoken and written language to create an interesting new hybrid language that is taking the world by surprise (Alcoba).

Teens have always strived to differentiate themselves as a generation to make them unique. This generation has created a new language to call their own; it takes the art of language to a new level (Axtam). Instant messaging being text not verbal communication leaves plenty of room for misunderstanding. To help eliminate some of these chances emoticons are used. Emoticons are smiles, winks, frowns, etc., made from punctuation marks. They are used to clarify when sarcasm is indeed sarcasm and jokes are jokes. The fact that you cannot see a person’s facial expression or hear their tone of voice over instant messaging leads to make conversation impersonal or fake. With the help of emoticons a conversation can feel personal and more real, this leading to the idea that many people find instant messaging feels more like face-to-face communication than that of letter writing (Bedell).

Instant messaging is fast paced and conducted in real time. Therefore, responses have to be shortened for speed (Hoffman). Teenager and devoted IM user, Alex Moreo, uses IM lingo because he finds it shorter, simpler, and easier.In addition, Moreo says he uses the language of IM, “kusz ppl cann communicate w/o adultsz understanding nd stuff =]” (Moreo). In other words, he uses slang because his parents cannot understand what he tells his friends. Jonathan Lee, another dedicated teen IM user, even more so agrees with the convenience of IM lingo. Lee uses IM slang because he finds it faster; talking properly would take too much time and effort (Lee). The IM language is not only just for convenience. Moreo finds he types things in a way that might be longer than the real word but he says, “well it sound’szz more tight =]” (Moreo). As a result, IM lingo was conceived for both appearance and practicality purposes.

As instant messaging grows more popular many people begin to wonder how muchimpactthere will be on the English language as a whole. Many teens believe using IM lingo online is one thing, but the actual use in a real world conversation is unacceptable. They say that IM slang constrains to that of the internet, and only the internet (Hoffman). Teenager, Jonathan Lee, brings up a good point. In his opinion, using IM slang in real life could confuse people and be unfair to those whom might not be as familiar with its aspects (Lee). There is a distinguished time and place for this unique language of instant messaging, and most respectable teens know the difference.

When working with such a unique language, that for many is quite hard to understand, one must know their audience. There is a time and place for everything. It is believed that the constant use of IM lingo affects the writing of students. Some of the IM acronyms or common IM spelling errors show up in even the most formal of papers (Dunnewind). If people are taught to know their audiences and to appropriate themselves for their audience, then in the end, the normal English language would prevail (Hoffman). Most Teens know the differences between IM lingo and formal, proper English. The fact that one uses such acronyms or other various instant messaging lingoes doesn’t mean that they don’t know what’s proper (Alcoba). Jonathan Lee feels the constant use might affect his writing by the fact that recognizing run-ons and punctuation mistakes becomes trickier. Instantaneously recognizing mistakes becomes difficult when used regularly (Lee). These common drudgeries such as punctuation and sentence structure are for the most part, avoided in IM. When it comes to formal and proper writing the knowledge and awareness of your audience and purpose is critical to avoiding these errors.

Instant messaging is considerably advantageous and helps to develop critical skills. The fast-paced conversation type keeps kids writing and thinking. Head of the English Department at JuanitaHigh school, in Seattle, concludes, "Any type of writing that gets thoughts on paper, I don't see as a negative. They're more comfortable with the written word and it doesn't frighten them." (Dunnewind). It may not be traditional writing, but using IM helpsdevelop the important skill of turning chaotic thoughts into organized words(Dunnewind). Not only does instant messaging help to evolve writing, but also to further advance typing skills. Jonathan Lee found his typing skills have developed immensely due to use of IM (Lee). IM has brought an amazing interest in language to teens. Even though the IM language consists mainly of justmanipulation of the proper English language, it still shows an amazing grasp of concept (Dunnewind).

The English language is being transformed into a unique hybrid language. The lingo of IM was made for both convenience and appearance. Instant messaging conversations are conducted in real time, so IM slang is often short and to the point. In the world of IM, the language consists of acronyms, numbers, and emoticons. It is a combination of spoken and written English and captivates many with its simple complexity. This new language of IM is extremely advantageous and will sure enough impact our society. From the perspective of an English professor, "‘language has always changed, and it always will,’ Baron told TFK. ‘It must change as the things we do and the things we encounter change.’" (Hoffman).Similar to Shakespeare’s addition of words through his scripts, instant messaging lingo has given many a new perspective on English and has given the language a new feel all together.

Works Cited Page

Alcoba, Natalie, and Melissa Leong. “Researchers Debunk Messaging’s Effect on Language”.

Canada, The Gazette. 2 Aug. 2006. 9 Dec. 2007. <

Axtam, Kris. “’R U Online?’: The Evolving Lexicon of Wired Teens”.The Christian Science

Monitor. 12 Dec. 2002. 9 Dec. 2007.

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Bedell, Doug. “Messaging Shapes Languages With a ;) and A Smile.” Dallas Morning News

(Dallas, Texas), (June 23, 2002). NA. StudentResourceCenter– Gold. Thomson Gale. EtiwandaHigh School Library. 3, Dec. 07.

Dunnewind, Stephanie."Generation Text: Teens' IM lingo evolving into a hybrid

language."Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service(April 29, 2003):K0777.Student

ResourceCenter- Gold.Thomson Gale.EtiwandaHigh School Library.3 Dec. 2007

Hoffman, Kathryn R."Messaging Mania: Kids everywhere are logging on and sounding off.

Friendship and the English language may never be the same!(Cover Story)."Time for Kids8.25(May 2, 2003):4+.StudentResourceCenter - Gold.Thomson Gale.EtiwandaHigh School Library.3 Dec. 2007

Lee, Jonathan. IM interview. 9 Dec. 2007.

Moreo, Alex. IM Interview. 8 Dec. 2007.