An Examination of Shortening Strategies in Composing Text Messages: Implications for English Language Teachers

Abstract

The invention of mobile and the consequent spread of text messaging by most mobile phone users bring about a change in language use. Text messaging or SMS service is characterized by the use of short forms of words and sentences to convey messages during communication. The use of these short forms in composing messages has recently become a controversial area in the field of language learning and teaching. Many researchers and language teachers have expressed the view that the short forms used in text messaging may have negative impacts on language learning while others share a different view. Nonetheless, the fact that some text message forms really differ from the standard orthography of English language is a matter of concern. This paper takes a look at the different shortening strategies employed by diploma students of information and communication technology centre of Federal University of Technology, Minna. The outstanding implications of the use of such SMS forms are, that it may improve learners’ language use while the disadvantage is that the SMS forms may infiltrate in to the formal language students are supposed to use.