textese

Textese is a term used to describe the stylized language that appears in text messaging, instant messaging, and other digital chats. It encompasses shortened spellings, acronyms, nonstandard punctuation, numeronyms, and the use of emoticons or emojis to convey tone. The form arose with the spread of mobile phones and SMS in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the 160-character limit and typing constraints encouraged concise writing. The label is common in linguistics and popular discourse, and other terms such as txt spk and texting language are used interchangeably.

Features include abbreviations like u for you, ur for your, pls for please, and thx for thanks; acronyms such as lol, brb, omg; vowel omission and simplification like h8 for hate or gr8 for great; numeronyms such as 4 for for, 2 for to/too; and a heavy use of emoticons and later emojis to indicate emotion. Textese varies across languages and communities and can encode aspects of identity, affiliation, or mood. It is typically used in informal settings, where speed and economy are valued and formal grammar is less important.

Research on textese shows conflicting findings. Some studies note that extensive texting behavior correlates with improved phonological awareness or fluency in digital communication, while others express concern about possible effects on spelling or grammar in school contexts. In everyday use, textese is one of several registers in digital communication, distinct from formal writing but functional for rapid, informal interaction.

It remains a dynamic and evolving phenomenon tied to technology and social context.