A New Beginning, Using T9 Dictionary..
For the past one year I have started a new way to text message friends and it’s called changing your text message mode to T9 Dictionary. I found this extremely helpful as I inhabited an automatic habit to write academically all the time when I text. And just to support this with more evidence, it’s faster typing a message with the T9 Dictionary mode than the Abc mode because you need to go through each letter before getting your word typed out. Whereas T9 Dictionary just follows letters coordinated. If anyone doubts this don’t be afraid to try it yourself, I assure you it’s definitely faster and academically better. Well, that's what i think.
Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying you have to use T9 dictionary, I would agree that even though you have been using T9 dictionary it’s still difficult to avoid abbreviations or short form language such as LOL, BRB or 2MORO. This short form language has become part of a text language community and it’s hard to avoid the usage of these short forms. However I am referring more to the spelling of certain words such as in New Zealand’s weird spelling of like (lyk). Are we that lazy to type another letter? Because of habits like this we forget sometimes when using these words in an academic essay. Another example is be(b), is(s), are(r) and and(n).
I found an example regarding the usage of Text Messaging Language in the exam room.
Candidates unconsciously used as I explained before “u” for “you” and “r” for “are”. In addition from the article candidates even invented an abbreviation for “ToV” for the “Treaty of Versailles”, so does that mean in New Zealand it would be “ToW”? That’s a bit too much.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2609506/Text-message-language-in-A-levels-slammed-by-examiners.html
Hi Akash,
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see that someone is taking a stand for academic writing. I think I overheard you standing against text format with cell phones? correct me if I'm wrong. hmm... if everyone should try T9, that'll mean that I would have to get a new phone? though my phone does do the whole dictionary thing, but it takes forever! HAHA ! I don't blame you if you're against the whole text format idea. I myself use text format bekoz im use 2 t ... tho t cn b confusng 2 red @ tymez. Missing out letters in between doesn't really make a difference when reading it, but when it comes to writing an academic essay, text language can change the way you carelessly misspell anything simple.
Nice work by the way, I'm looking forward to seeimg more on text messaging.
-Annie =D
Hey Annie,
ReplyDeleteWoops, I still haven't finish my point or argument to that, i as just stating the advantages of typing in correct English on your phone and i thought all phones had T9 dictionary, maybe i need to reconfirm that..hhmmm
Thanks for pointing that out for me Annie.
:)
Akash
No problem Akash,
ReplyDeletehehe... You havent finished? Woops...
After reading your blog I looked into my phone and couldnt find anything.
But that's alright. I still text in standard English. =)
-annie =D
Hi Akash,
ReplyDeleteI’ve tried to adopt the T9 Dictionary mode on my old mobile phone, but I absolutely HATED it with a vengeance!!! You might be right that our text messages would be a little more academic than the usual text message language (which I still find it difficult to comprehend their true meanings at times) but the T9 mode itself (in my narrow little opinion) is bullcrap!!!
But now that I’m using an iPhone, which has a built-in ‘Smart Messaging’ function, I still find myself having to double-check my text messages from time to time just to make sure that they do not have any mis-spelled words in them; NOT SO SMART AFTER ALL!!! Bloody Apple iPhones…it’s all about the gimmick!!!
And I’m not kidding you, when I did my one and only semester in Business Study, one of my classmates actually wrote their business report in text message language!!! I was shocked and horrified that they thought it was acceptable at university assignments… KEYS courses are highly recommended and essential for this particular student.
I like your research & I’m sure you’ll provide us (the readers) some interesting reading materials and facts about Text Message V Academic Writing.
Cheers
Albie ^_^