What do you call this way of writing ?

Question

ur (you are)
b4 (before)
w8 (wait)
cya (see you)
cos (because)
dno (don't know)

Do you know other examples ?

In France one calls that 'le langage sms' (sms language ?) but we can't use it to post in the forums !

Answer 1

I personally call it "lazy"

Answer 2

It is called short- message system as in "sms".
It is used to send quick messages via mobiles.
However, these days, it is common to use it not only to send sms, but also on the messenger chat lines, and sadly email, and even in the office.

Answer 3

It may be a type of leet speak, but leetspeak tends to be more interested in intentional misspelling to prevent communication. While abbreviations, initialisms, and acronyms try to facilitate communications. Using "u" for "you" and "r" for "are" may be forms of homophonic transcription or even part-for-whole metonymy. I'm not sure if there is an official name, but I might call it homophonetic transliteral script.

Answer 4

haha... that's what we do to save space and try to squeeze in the maximum amount of words within one msg....
U can see this kind of language in IRC chat too!

examples like:
ur = your
c u = see you
whois = who is
amt = amount
eg = example
tt = that
wat = what
wru = where are you
bb = bye bye
bk = back

There are still lots and lots more! =)

Answer 5

I think many refer to it as either
IM terms or Text Message terms

Answer 6

when u wanna say smthn to u in short form so dat no one else cud understand....a kinda code language boy!!

Answer 7

those are usually used in sending sms, actually they are short cuts to be able to write more on the limited space in the mobile....

other examples are:
hru (how are you)
f9 (fine)
ty (thank you)
wc (welcome)

Answer 8

dno

Answer 9

We call these "chat expressions". Because we use them most in chatting.

Answer 10

Internet cryptology :)