Is it proper to shorten words like a text message?

I never use text speak, even in a text message, and the MyLot guidelines ask you to use proper grammar, which of course precludes textspeak. As a freelance writer, I hate it when I see abbreviated words. It's so lazy.

In my opinion, these shortened words are only used for space-restricted medias like SMS or twitter. It should not be used in print or in writing mails. It is okay if it is used in Instant Messenger chats to get your message across quickly without the need to type long-handed. But it is a definite no-no in official communications. I received before job applications written with shortened words. In my mind, it gave me an impression that the applicant was being careless, or not knowing what did it mean to be proper. I also suspected that they did not even know if the shortened word does have a long handed version. The letter was not exactly a helpful aid to look for a job interview. In that case, they were all ended up in the reserve batch of interview candidates.

Words are shortened in a text message because there's a limited number of characters per message. So if your message is really long, you have no choice but to either shorten the words or send 2 messages. I think some people type these shortened words into online posts either because they're used to typing in the abbreviated form or they're using a smartphone to post and find it easier to shorten the words.

Hi Airasheila!. In my teen life I love to shorten text message save phone credit. I can made long story just from one text, and my teen friend also do the same, so we know exactly what we write each others. But now I rarely do that's because today I am sending text to college or older person they won't understand if I shorten any massage and seen not polite either.

hi, actually i still used the shorten words in text message to type faster,and aside from that the text message contains 160 letters only in send so that to say all we wanted to say i usually shorten the message to say all of it in one sending of message.but i only shorten the message in chat and text only.

It is practical to shorten text in cellphones and text messaging. With this habit, it can disrupt the vocabulary of a person. They tend to sometimes forget the spellings of words. And sometimes they forget the grammar and correct words to use.

Hi Aira.. That is so true, I was never a fan of shortening words, even in text messages, specially here in the Philippines, people always do that, I think that kind of thing will just make us dumb. and some of us don't really understand such words.. I never encounter one yet here in mylot.. :)

It is not proper here on myLot in the discussions. MyLot tell us to post quality in English. Shortened words that are used in text/chat messages are not part of the English language and will not show up in search engines therefore serve no purpose at all here. If your posts contain them then you will probably be disappointed with your earnings.

Even in sending text messages to my friends, I'm still not a fan of shortening them like some others even if I am using a phone that only restricts me to write 100-something characters - I can always send another text message as a continuation of my previous message, that is if I have to write a long message. Even in forwarded text messages, I don't like shortening them. I'd feel dumb.

now people get accustomed to understand the short messages. while we are chatting with friend in facebook or sending a message to our friends we are just sending the short messages because we know they could understand that. its because lack of time only make them to understand. but while we are writing something in office or any article in online we should be careful what we are writing

I think text words should be used within Instant Messages and Text Messages only where you have limited characters to fit in one "go". Otherwise, emails, articles, compositions and other stuff should be written properly especially if it's to be used in school or work. It's bad enough that most kids are being such bad spellers with them having cellphones at such a young age; let's leave those shortened text words in our cellphones and IMs. Actually even in IMs and text messages I rarely use text words. It's also a practice for my own spelling. I do not mind being corrected, now if I write in text words, of course nobody would know if I can properly spell the word or not.