Communicating in Textish

Let me begin this blog today by offering a glossary of terms that will be used in the brief comments that follow, lest the purpose of this discussion be defeated by the very thing I’m writing about.

forum — An arena for discussion on an internet website, often related to a particular subject of interest. For example, the subject is “Cars”. Someone asks, “My Ford breaks down regularly. What do I do?” Another participant  answers, “Get a Chevy.” (Feel free to reverse if necessary, if it makes you feel better about your Ford.)

thread — A line of discussion on a particular topic having to do with the original question asked. The example above would represent a thread about Fords. Or more specifically, about Fords breaking down regularly.

post — The original, individual question, and the individual answers/replies/comments that follow.

texting — A method of writing or typing that utilizes the abbreviation of words in order to save time and effort, primarily through written communication using a cellular phone. For example, “What are you doing?” becomes “Wht r u doing?” “I’m going to the store” becomes “im going 2 th str.” The writer chooses his or her abbreviations — there are no standards, and it’s up 2 the (oops) reader to interpret. For those who text regularly, reading and typing in “text” becomes almost second nature. For those who don’t, it’s like wandering into foreign territory where no one speaks your language.

There’s one particular forum that I read and participate in regularly. Every now and then, one of the younger participants forgets that some readers do not communicate in “text.” I’m convinced that many don’t realize they’re doing anything unusual, because for them, it’s not. “Textish” (my word) has become their language, and it’s as natural to them as drinking Red Bull or walking through the mall with their cell phone glued to their ear.

One of the replies I read yesterday was written in text. I caught myself in the middle of the second sentence, realizing that I no longer had the time nor the energy to decipher it. It’s possible that she was writing from her iPhone or whatever instrument she was using. I figured that if she didn’t have time to write out a readable answer, I didn’t have time to read it and it probably wasn’t worth reading anyway. This was the second time I’d encountered a textish post in a thread, and just as I’d called attention to it then, I added my own special comment to this one, too:

“RU wrtg frm yr cell phn? Hrd 2 read.”

Whether this post will be read and/or comprehended is anyone’s best guess. In the nation of those whose primary mode of communication is the text message (even when you’re in the same room), whether I understand posts in “Textish” or not, isn’t really an issue, because at my age, comments I post are probably not relevant to the fresh generation. It truly is like living in an alien land, sometimes. But that all depends on who I think is the alien.

Meanwhile, I’m planning to stick soon-to-be-obsolete English spelling, unless, of course, I’m texting.