As a student and a teacher of the English language, I have become increasingly alarmed at the violation of grammatical rules that occurs so frequently today.  More specifically, I am astonished at the number of my students who, without even realizing it, have begun to integrate a new language--the language of IM-speak--into their daily written work.  Though the students do demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of proper grammar--capitalization, punctuation, word choice, usage and spelling--they frequently digress to the abbreviated word that is characteristic of technologically advanced users of "IM-speak."

IM-speak is a language adopted by users of current Internet technologies such as Instant Messaging services in an effort to expedite their communication with other users, by abbreviating as many of their words as possible, often leaving out vowels, punctuation, or entirely replacing the word with phonetic symbols that form similar sounds.  For instance, a common abbreviation for the word "great" is "gr8."  As these abbreviations find their ways into our classrooms, several of my fellow educators at my school have voiced a concern that the students will soon forget, or ignore, the rules of grammar that teachers are attempting to teach them in school due to their limited exposure to such grammatical instruction and their over-exposure to the abbreviated words known as IM-speak.  For these educators, the concern becomes, will these same students be able to function in a work environment in which grammatically correct Modern American English is favored over IM-speak or will they find a harsh reality waiting on the other side of their diplomas?

As usage of the Internet continues to increase, more and more people are finding that the World Wide Web not only contains a plethora of information resources, but is also an ideal way for people to correspond with one another.  One method of correspondence that is quite popular is known as Text or Instant Messaging.  The popularty of these programs can be seen by looking at the number of them that are available.  Five popular Text and Instant Messenging programs are AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo! Instant Messenger, MSN Instant Messenger, Zango and ICQ.

Text and Instant Messaging Programs allow users to communicate as instantly as they can when corresponding via phone, often without the cost of long distance charges or tying up the telephone lines.  Users simply type, rather than speak, their content and it is then communicated in written form to the intended recipient's computer monitor.  The repetitive use of the keyboard for correspondence has also led to an increase in the use of common abbreviations and the creation of new ones as users seek to find quicker and more convenient ways to communicate.  These abbreviations allow users to type quicker and with fewer letters to get their same message across; the added time often allows for users to communicate with more than one person at a time via the same messaging program.  As convenient as this may be for the user, some educators are also finding that this abbreviated language is filtering in and, somewhat, invading their classrooms.  This reinforces their fears that students may be in danger of hindering their chances of being successful in the business world where Modern American English is the normal and accepted dialogue.

Those in support of this arguement cite examples such as the following, "Yo, can u plz help me write English," an article by Steve Friess featured in USA Today in which the author specifically zeros in on one student who, when attempting to fill out his first summer job application, began with:  "i want 2 b a counselor because i love 2 work with kids."  The author and the student's parents share my colleague's concern that this type of IM-speak invasion into the student's vocabulary may likely cost him consideration for a future job in the business world.

Though this argument against the use of IM-speak may appear to be valid, one must also stop and consider jobs, careers and other avenues in which this type of abbreviated speech is the norm.  Editors for newspapers have long been using these types of abbreviations in their Classifieds sections and court reporters and students often resort to abbreviated note-taking in the interest of keeping up with what needs to be recorded.  Also noteworthy is a current article, "Introducing Instant Messaging and Chat in the Workplace" that not only supports the use of text and instant messaging mediums in the current business world, but also points out a rise in the number of businesses, both small and large, that have implemented this practice as a faster and more efficient method of inter-office communication. 

Similarly, a CBBC Newsround report features an article about a girl who has been reprimanded after writing her entire English essay in text messages.  The beginning of her essay, taken from the article, reads:

My smmr hols wr CWOT.  B4, we used 2go2 NY 2C my bro, his GF & thr 3 :-kids FTF.  ILNY, it's a gr8 plc.

The Modern American Translation of this reads:

"My summer holidays were a complete waste of time.  Before, we used to go to New York to see my brother, his girlfriend and their three screaming kids face to face.  I love New York, it is a great place." 

Though this student's teacher took exception to her writing, others on the opposite side of the debate argue that IM-speak should be accepted and considered as another form of artistic expression, similar to the acceptance of haiku or free verse poetry.  In fact, an article in Time Europe spotlights a 22-year-old university student who was awarded a $1,500 prize for her telepoetry that reads:

txtin iz messin/mi headn'me englis/try2rite essays/they all come out txtis. gran not plsed w/letters/shes getn/swears i wrote better b4 comin2uni. &she's african.

The popularity of this medium is so widespread that there are now programs that will translate from Modern American English to IM-speak, as well as from IM-speak to Modern American English.

The following is a sample text that has been translated into IM-speak using Transl8it.com, just one of these translation programs:


From this example, it is obvious to see why educators might take issue with allowing this new form of language into the educational classroom; however, can this type of writing truly be considered to be "wrong" in every aspect of its usage?  I must admit that, prior to my research on the topic, my opinion was an emphatic "yes." However, after reading the research, considering the facts, and, yes, even playing around with the text and instant messaging myself, I have had to revise my own opinion.  I no longer believe that this form of communication is "wrong" in every way.  I still believe that its usefulness and appropriateness in a classroom setting is limited; however, I do see where it has the ability, through certain assignments, to be useful. 

As far as the business world goes, I must admit that, when I began this assignment, I could see no use for this tool in my own profession (teaching) let alone in a business environment.  By mere coincidence, in the middle of my research, my high school principal implemented the use of Yahoo! Instant Messenger as a means of immediate contact with all school administrators and personnel.  I have found it to be tremendously useful and beneficial.  Maybe instead of fighting IM-speak's "invasion" in our language, we, as educators, should embrace this new form of literary individuality and make it work for us.