[Bonanzoid]

I don't have a link, but I read in the paper the other day that following 'research' by 2 linguists at a Canadian university, they have come to the conclusion that text language is not bad, and they say it's (and I quote here) a "literary renaissance". What do you people think to that?

Personally, I think it's just trying to cover up idiocy and linguistic ineptness, and it bugs the tits off me.

[Yudster]

I agree. It's a national disgrace.

[S4B]

**waits for Topher**

I think it has it's place in saving money on text messages but to use it when it's costing you nothing to post or to write is pathetic

[Bonanzoid]

No apostrophe in the first "its" there Ms. Books!

I hate seeing it anywhere but texts, and then again I hate it even there.

[teddi-da-pirate]

When you think about it we went from Olde english to New so our litreature is growing with new word's and devolpments. if it help's people write quicker and communicate quicker why is it so bad after all ?? Its just some people like the old way of doing things some people like the new

[Bonanzoid]

It's not the 'new' way, it's the retarded way. It's for people who can't spell, or who can't be arsed looking mature.

And for the love of God! Learn how to use apostrophes!

[Yudster]

Its not a question of old and new. Its a matter of correct or incorrect.

[S4B]

Because it's lazy! And don't you dare try and lecture me on the development of language, I studied it at university. It doesn't aid communication as there are so many different variances. It could, I suppose, be considered a dialect but with so many sub dialects how is anyone supposed to follow it! Speaking as an employer I wouldn't consider a CV or covering letter that used it (and yes I have had them) so why should I tolerate it in any other aspects of my life as a valid form of written communication?

Oh and Bonan - sorry yes you are correct.

[Yudster]

It's not the 'new' way, it's the retarded way. It's for people who can't spell, or who can't be arsed looking mature.

And for the love of God! Learn how to use apostrophes!

Hang on, lets not have teddi run before s/he can walk - capital letters, full stops and commas first, eh? Apostrophes can come later!

[S4B]

Teddi, consider this to be extra revision, how can you expect to pass serious exams without the ability to punctuate?

[Bonanzoid]

We're here to help after all...

[S4B]

I'd call that friendly!

[Bonanzoid]

So would I, I was being serious!

[Console]

Its a matter of correct or incorrect.

This is very much correct. The rules of the English language are there so everyone can communicate with ease. If people just start pulling new rules and spellings out of thin air, then communication get more difficult. Once these 'new rules' are learnt by everyone, then it's not really much different from what was started with.

Language has changed over the years, new words have been added as society and technology have evolved, and other words have been dropped as they've fallen out of use. The change from 'Olde English' to 'New English' was a gradual process that happened over a long period of time - this isn't really comparable to 'text speak' which has evolved along side the English language in a little over a decade.

I think that all text-speak will ever be is a form of short-hand, for use in situations where something has to be either jotted down very quickly or there is limited space to write. Any other use is just laziness and is unacceptable. The English language is one of the most (if not the most) varied and expressive languages in the world - it'd be a shame to reduce it to a shambles because a people can't be bothered to write correctly. The average level of competency in writing English is bad enough as it is without bringing another system into the mix.

[Bonanzoid]

What he said.

[S4B]

I love Console!

Oooh Bonan you have used me in your sig! yay!

[DevilsDuck]

73><7 5P34|< 15|\|7 45 b4D 45 L337 5P34|<

converter - http://www.brenz.net/l337Maker.asp

[Bonanzoid]

Text speak isn't as bad as leet speak. Is it bad that I didn't use the translator?

[Console]

Ah yes, 'Leet speak' - that makes even less sense that 'text speak'.

Is it bad that I didn't use the translator?

Yes - isn't there an 'O' (or '()' or '0') missing from that string above?

[DevilsDuck]

I think leet speak is like one of those magic eye puzzles, if you look at it for long enough you die!

[MK Chris]

If you need to send a text longer than 160 characters (which I believe is the character limit for one text message) and you don't get free text messages, only then is text language acceptable (but not desirable.) Any other time is lazy and makes you look like a retard.

[SAV1OUR]

Chris Moyles has to read text messages all the time at work, not healthy, you'd think he'd have gone mad by now.

[Bonanzoid]

That's it yeah, Charla. Still a pile o' pish.

[Andy B]

Hang on it's done by a bunch of bloody Canadians! Why have they done a study into it when they've done sod all else. Maple Syrup, that show with the mounty who had a wolf and Celine Dion are the only things Canada is famous for and I only partially like maple syrup.

And they speak bloody french anyway!

[Bonanzoid]

I did say at the start it was a Canadian study.