Text Messages, Tweets, and Instant Messages

Like the word "party," the words "text," "tweet," and "instant message" are nouns, but recently people have started to use them as verbs to refer to the sending of a short typed message via cellular phones or computers.   

Unfortunately, because of the limited amount of space available in a text message or tweet, and thanks to the laziness of people, a mongrel version of English has taken root in text messages and instant messages (IM's) that relies on the sounds of the names of the letters (U R) and abbreviated spellings (L8), as well as acronyms (LOL) and phonetic spellings (dusnt). 

This debased version of language is prone to misunderstandings, especially between the generations, where younger people have spent time learning this new language, and older people have not.  Due to the fantastic rate of change of this language, however, even young people can have trouble deciphering the codes they are sent.

Another drawback of text messages, tweets, and IM's is the same as that of email; namely, it is very difficult to interpret the writer's tone.  In fact, the problem is even worse here than in email, since the messages are much shorter, thereby leaving the reader with fewer context clues. 

If you are texting or IM'ing someone, here are some etiquette tips.

Click to view examples of text messages and instant messages.