Do you think writing emails or on message boards etc. using txt shortcuts is OK or are the writers incapable?

Question

I think that people today are not educated to a level where they can write well constructed sentences, correctly spelt, and well punctuated. What do u thnk?

Answer 1

LOL May I quote you?
"What do u thnk?"

*going back to question*
After a while of reading a person's texts, you can see if it is something done to "save time" or "to look cool". In my experience, most of people doing that is because they have a hard time putting words together. The bad spelling is only a part of the problem. No punctuation, poor grammar and a lack of vocabulary is another. Just take a look at Y!A. Most of people is not capable to write two senteces in good English.

To answer Sonalii's question: It also happens in Spanish.

Answer 2

I think that some text shortcuts are ok. I will often use the 'b/c' for because when typing, and also some others. But I really think that there has to be enough coherency to most of the words that any one could understand. The thing that I can not stand the most is when people write things like this: L8tEr, it LooKs comPLetLy HOrriD.

The other thing is the time will come that people all over the world will have to communicate with those that use too many shortcuts. If we as native English speakers have trouble understanding them at times, how much harder is it going to be for someone from China to understand the meaning?

As a side note, I think that it is funny that you are asking this question using a mixture of proper English and shortcuts.

Answer 3

I totally agree with you... I went off spelling 'like dis' ages ago. Because some day I will need to write sentences correctly on the computer. But the people who take shortcuts will write something for their boss and have a 'n' instead of 'and' in there. I also notice that alot of people cannot spell they're, their, there and were, where and wear. It's so annoying. And I find it lazy when people write stuff and it's only 1 letter shorter! Don't be so lazy!

Answer 4

I agree. Too many people are so used to short cutting everything that they practically forget how to write a message in proper english. I think using some shortcuts etc. is okay but when you get to the point that it is almost another language it is a bit beyond a joke.

Answer 5

It annoys me when people use too much shorthand. It really is an effort to read it. I think we should attempt to use proper English at all times for how else are we to improve?

And I do agree that I feel that the level of English is dropping. I wonder if this is the same in other languages as well?

Answer 6

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Answer 7

I prefer that things be correctly spelled and in their full form rather than the shortened versions. It may be easier on the writer to shorthand but for the reader it can sometimes become a puzzle to decipher what in the world was meant by their abbreviations.

Answer 8

I can imagine a couple of generations down the line that business letters will be almost indecipherable due to people's laziness in writing whole words.
Good grammar & penmanship used to be rewarded in schools but these days even there they are ignored as unimportant.

Answer 9

I donnot use text shortcuts because when you go back to writing an essay or story you end up putting them in by mistake so i find them to be a waste of time, just something for lazy kids to use i guess!

Answer 10

I think it shows:
a) Disrespect for the reader
b) Misuse of the English language
c) Ignorance and laziness on the part of the writer
d) You spoilt your message by doing it yourself - TXT and otherwise I agree with you wholeheartedly.