i keep hearing the jokes about kids actually speaking in "texting talk," "phone-lingo," or for those really confused by it: "computer code," "what the huh," or "goddamn-uneducated-and-rude-'i-can't-speak-proper-english'-baby-garble." i also hear these, and other, various improper names for txting (originaly called 1337 speak, now txt, or texting, etc. there are actually a few proper names for it these days) being abased, abused, assaulted, aspersed, and any number of other a-words indicating people are scared and confused by something so they have decided to hate it and grab the proverbial pitchforks. this is for them..., buuuuuuut it's also for those 'kids' they were talking about at the beginning of this paragraph. the ones that sadly do speak in it (not just to their friends or as a joke). the ones that think it all began in their bling riddled cells (i shouldn't talk, i have dangles on mine bought online from japan ><).
"txting" is an electronics, gaming, and internet language form, as well as the current slang. it is The digital language for humans, as much as 10* is for the digital devices themselves.
as a language the basics of it are understood internationally. this is mostly visible in mmos (massive multiplayer onlines, online games) where a variety of languages may be spoken and typed on any given server. the high end games will provide some auto-translated words, but for the most part you're on you're own for communicating what needs to be done, relaying strategies, or even simply having a friendly 'convo' after a boss fight. this is then solved, or at least aided, through the use of txting. a simple "woot! gj, ty. gtg gl!" (hooray/alright/exclamation-of-joy! good job, [and] thank you [for having me]. got to go...good luck [on what you do next]!) leaves the party in a respectful, appreciative way that makes you someone worth joining up with again.
many people worry or downright get angry about txting being disrespectful, lazy, confusing, or even anti-social. as i just demonstrated it can actually facilitate respect, but like any language it can be used rudely or kindly depending on the user. as for being due to simple laziness there is a degree of that in any language much less one that is also being used as a type of slang. txting originated as 1337 speak (leet speak, or elite speaking) in gaming and online, even in K-12 before the internet ever began (where, believe me, the less typing you had to wait for it to send the happier you were). the fact that a generation growing up in a digitally influenced, and electronics happy world, has appropriated it as their slang is not surprising. they have actually added to its vocabulary, which has proven beneficial to its origins and its international quality. due to this it has become an even stronger agency of socializing and communication, furthering its standing as a language.
all forms of communication have their place though. i wouldn't fill out an english form in mandarin, write prescription instructions in chemical reactions formulas, nor use txting for class essays. i also, however, would not use standard english and standard capitalization (yes i have purposefully not capitalized sentence beginnings, and HAVE capitalized things i mean to emphasize) on my cell phone, in a game, nor throughout the majority of the internet. it would simply be inappropriate. it would also be insulting, confusing, or just down-right funny to those who see it being done. txting is not for use when formal or standard writing is being used or required. at the same time a person using standard or, even worse, formal language in a phone text or on a non-literary forum is considered uninformed, condescending, or disrespectful.
a little respect goes a long way no matter who you are, but the willingness to explain things to those who are confused or ignorant is also needed. ignorance is not a crime so long as it doesn't come bearing those selfsame pitchforks. Neither is using something new mean a person is being disrespectful, nor does it give you the right to impose the newness in places where choices have already been made and ways are established. then again maybe i'm a goddamn-uneducated-and-rude-'can't-speak-proper-english'-baby-garbler. may b im clt & 1337 is just gtfo 4 u, but imho wtf 2 ur oldskool convo & get ur head out teh wc long enough 2 c wth we made...or maybe i use partial 1337 because the world is all just a game in my head.
- <3 & ttyl
p.s.
i wonder if we could give it new proper names combining gamers and messagers? How about; digiphilese, digipilian (because digiphilan sounds like flan gone wrong), or maybe digiphilish! i like that...it sorta rolls off the tongue. "dij-i-fill-iiiiish" yup, like it. gonna use it. maybe on facebook. that seems disturbing and appropriate!
