atw: Great Mate vs Gr8 M8

Hi Everyone!
 

Yesterday as I was trawling through the Macquarie Dictionary, I noticed
a page at the back of the book dedicated to SMS English (I often refer
to it as: Smenglish.. and I got to thinking about why some techwriters
pull up our noses at Smenglish (or do we?) and why?  Consider the
following example:

 

 Great Mate vs Gr8 M8

 

What is the difference between the two and why should one set of symbols
render the other as useless when in fact they are still the same in
pronunciation and meaning and in fact nothing has really changed or has
it? Has the meaning been diminished in any way? 

 

Considering perhaps that these symbols we call words or signifiers carry
with them connotations for example, one is formal and the other isn't,
one carries connotations of 'coolness' (if you are a young person for
example this might be your preferred method of communication). 

 

Could we say that the evolution of Smenglish is related simply to effort
and space on mobile technology?.. Is it here to stay? Should we as
techwriters live in denial or acknowledge its existence but only for
certain contexts?  

What if a techwriter was editing a Smenglish novel designed for mobile
devices or a user manual available on mobile technology...? 
What rules apply?  

 

What is the potential impact on language as we know it?
Does it threaten us because perhaps it may cause a dumbing down? I think
of George Orwell's 1984 where language is limited and so the people
become 'dumbed down' too... 

 

All food for thought... I would be interested in your responses as this
area of language fascinates me .. and I want to see what role it has to
play in techwriting... oh and by the way you don't have to answer all
the questions, just pass on your thoughts.. 

 

Thanks, 

Nikki Ward | Technical Writer

--------------------------------------------

240 Sandgate Rd, Albion, Queensland, 4010, Australia

Tel: 07 3637 1445 | Fax: 07 3262 5742

 

 


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