Internet and Text Chat Slang (2/2) - U.S. Culture & English Vocabulary

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Brig, you are so sweet to post another comment. I appreciated your comment on Part 1, and I'm doubly happy to have your support for this one. Thank you and take care!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

KZbin has given us a virtual classroom, and yes, I can be your teacher. I am thankful to have students to teach, so thank you for choosing to make my videos a part of your studies. Kind wishes!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you for your kind wishes. I return them warmly to you. :)

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you for watching the video. I'm happy to have your support. Yes, I think we all like concise language when we text one another. I'm sure it's the same in many languages. The key is to remember when we're not texting and when it's not appropriate to use all the short forms. Muito obrigada!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Hello and welcome. I'm glad you found my channel. I am happy to help online on the different platforms I have: KZbin and my website. Please feel free to join the community forum on my website. It's free. I help as time allows. :) Regards!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Yes, I've enjoyed making these Language Notes videos. They are different from many of my more traditional lessons. Still, I know I need to get back to some of my other playlists soon! Thank you for watching and taking the time to post your comment. Regards!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you for the continued support. I hope you'll use the exercises on my website (under "English Students") for additional practice. Kind regards!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

I'm happy to hear this. Mostly I wanted to help learners make sense of this kind of written language, whatever you want to call it: txt-speak, text-speak, SMS language, Internet slang, etc. It's out there, and you'll see it. My second objective was to warn writers not to adopt this language too often. I'm glad to see you writing with words written in full! That's a good habit to have. Kind regards!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Yes, even among my colleagues we use short forms, such as FYI, BTW, and LOL. The trick is to know when it's okay and when it's not. The difference is we professionals can write with decent vocabulary, spelling, and grammar when the situation calls for it, so using "relaxed" and abbreviated English on occasion is okay. If those young folk have yet to master academic and professional writing, then too much use of Internet slang is a danger, IMHO! May we all keep improving as writers!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you for following my videos. I would love to see Egypt one day. I've only seen it in pictures and on TV. For now, I'm happy to know some people in your country are watching my lessons. Kind regards!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

What a lovely comment to read, Rose! Thank you for making my videos a part of your studies. Keep up your studies and best wishes to you!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you, Hugo. What a lovely holiday to have! How interesting that "xq" stands for "por que"! I never would have guessed that abbreviation. Kind regards from Boston!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

You are very welcome. Have a good week! Kind wishes to you!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

It's good to hear from you again. Thank you for visiting my channel today. Kind regards!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

The list of Internet abbreviations/ acronyms is very long. My husband asked why I didn't include LMK (let me know). There were just too many, so I decided to focus on the ones I think even middle-aged folks like myself know. Many short forms that younger people use send me to Google for a translation!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you, Amadou. It's nice to hear from you again. :) Regards!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Oh how sad. I didn't know about that incident in Miami. Bullying is very serious here. In our schools they now have programs to teach our little ones from Day 1 that bullying is not acceptable. We never had such training when I was growing up. Hopefully, these anti-bullying programs will work in the long run, and with the next generation we'll have more acceptance and less cruelty. Take care, Marcelo. Wishing you and everyone peace!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Yes, I think it's good to address this language in at least one lesson of mine. Of course, I wouldn't make a whole series dedicated to learning "text-speak"! Some of the short forms, like LOL and IMHO, are becoming quite common even among us older people who have a couple gray hairs or more! :)

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Well, don't get me wrong. Books still have value. I consult my reference books quite often, including my paper copy of the Longman Dictionary of American English. Some information changes faster than others. Grammar, punctuation rules, and academic vocabulary, are examples of content that does not change quickly at all. Slang and idioms are more fluid. I think a combination of resources, print and digital, is common today. Regards!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Oh, Edson, I catch my own mistakes in language and in judgment sometimes! No one is perfect. We can only hope to facilitate the language learning process and guide to the best of our ability. When we make mistakes as teachers, we own up to them and, like our students, learn from the mistakes. As we teach, we learn and we get better at teaching, right? Good luck in your work and thank you for the support. Remember more instructional support for ELTs is on WordPress. :)

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Please consider visiting the community forum on my website. Thank you for the support. Regards!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

LOL. I'm not sure a major publisher is ready to take on Internet slang and text chat abbreviations, though I see smaller publications on Amazon already. The nature of slang is that it changes rather quickly, so your best bet is to keep searching the Internet for current lists and Google strange acronyms and shorthand. Regards!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Glad to know you liked it. :)

[@Englishwithjennifer]

That's always the best thing to hear. I'm glad you got something out of the video. Regards!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

That's wonderful to hear. Have a good day!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

just b careful & don't rite 2 much with non-standard english, k? LOL Thank you for watching. I hope you'll also visit my website and try the exercises there for review. Kind regards!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

:) For others searching, it's englishwithjennifer(.com) > homepage > community forum.

[@lubicavar]

Thanks for this, Jennifer. I teach English and am always keen to find material on language issues you don´t readily find in textbooks. Your lessons are so clear, I really enjoy them a lot and find them extremely useful and inspiring. Thanks again.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Well, you don't need to memorize all these short forms. Just be familiar enough with them so that you can make sense of such writing when you encounter it. Please don't make the effort to learn all these forms in order to use them. Some are fine in everyday writing, for example: etc., ASAP, R&R. However, you can't use many of the abbreviations in professional or academic writing. Mostly young people use C U, IDK, and the like.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

I suppose everyone has their preferences. I try not to use too much of the text slang and shorthand. I recall getting email not to long ago with IMHO. Regards!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Tee hee. :) I guess that's one more reason why we should be careful about using shorthand and abbreviations. Our messages can be misunderstood. You might want to state you find something funny, but your reader might think you're expressing your deep love! Hopefully, you laugh with those you love, but you don't want a casual friend to think you're actually in love with him/ her! I'm getting over a cold. Good health to us both! Take care. :)

[@19whiteroses86]

Thank you, for all the work that you did and do to help people! Your lessons help me a lot in my daily life. I'm a student and usually it is hard for me to understand lots of things, but you make them all clear for me.

[@ArunGoyal2007]

Thanks Jennifer. Your comment validates my theory that the share of paper in overall paper is declining. The fast changing world of words in languages can be captured by the net only. I love dictionaries, currently an reading a persian dictionary as a text..but havn't opened a paper English dictionary for ages. The internet gives me all the answers. Tks again and CU.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

U R welcome, Hamid! Just don't get into the habit of taking all the shortcuts too often, OK? :) Have a good day!

[@giovannawiplinger8134]

thank u Jennifer!! i know that this kind of Language isn't what we'd like for our Young people...but it's right to know it, just to keep in touch with their world!!! Thnx a lot ;)

[@JoseLlanos22]

Teacher Jennifer thank you so much. This video has been so useful to me because I had seen those abreviations and I didn't understand them but now thanks to you I can understand them. Thank you again and you're awesome

[@02sanja]

Hi Jennifer, every time you post a new vid on KZbin I can´t help but press the like button. Thumbs wayyyyy up! Best from Brig

[@jeoasmoreira]

Hi Teacher! I'm from Brazil. I'm brazilian! Congratulations! You're the best teacher in youtube! I like very very much of your english class! Sorry, my english is beginner. Bye

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you for the support. Good luck to you as you grow your channel. :)

[@ArunGoyal2007]

That's the strength of English...It has the largest vocabulary among languages and dominates the net as well as mobile. Now the new language of abbreviations and acronyms! MTK is a new one for me...Pl ask your collaborating language publishers to sponsor a dictionary or include the more popular ones in an appendix to the next edition of their 'authoratative'dictionary.' I hear 'Sacrilege,'

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Hi Joanna! Congratulations! What an exciting time for you. Please visit my community forum on my website. It's free to join, and I can help you with vocabulary there. I'm not able to share links with you on this page. Take care and good health to you! :)

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Hello. Why don't you visit my website? First, read my Study Tips under "English Students." Second, look at some of my Word of the Day videos. It's a small collection, but it will give you an idea of the things you need to consider when you are trying to learn a word (pronunciation, part of speech, definition, grammar, etc.) You can also visit the community forum on my website, and we can discuss other ways to learn vocabulary. Regards!

[@fernandofumec]

You're awesome! I'm learning a lot watching your videos. Thank you Jennifer!

[@haoding3723]

I have learned a lot about chat slang, really helpful. And all the videos you made are useful for me. I am watching them on by one. Thank you.

[@NguyenTheMatt]

Chân thành cảm ơn về những gì cô đã làm! I come from Vietnam and I very happy when see you on internet. You will be my teacher, won't you? I hope so. Thank you very much!

[@edsonmotamorais5525]

Hello teacher, as always is a such nice pleasure to watch and learn from your videos. They are indispensable to me. I'll visit your site as a student only because,in fact, is that what I am. Just a beginner in your language. I teach for the shortage of English teachers in my small town and always supporting me in your videos and in good textbooks. However sometimes I've caught myself in basic mistakes. Thanks a lot for help me. God bless You.

[@MrJosephArthur]

Hello! Very interesting video about the good and/or bad habits when writing in English on the Internet, especially in text messages in chatting. I think it is a general tendency in almost all languages when writing messages on the Internet via chat. But, I observe this tendency is much more common in very young people and people with a low level of education. Obviously, the quality of writing may project the level of education of an individual, so, I always agree with the good habits of writing.

[@brunocaieirassp]

Here in Brazil we speak portuguese. When we're having a chat on the internet we write just like you, americans. For exemple: in portuguese the word "you" is "você". But, we usually write "vc" stead of "você". There are other words too. For exemplo: the portuguese word to "kiss" is "beijo". WE usually write "bj" stead of "beijo". lol Please, translate it: Parabéns pelos ótimos vídeos que você coloca na internet. Nós, que não temos a Língua Inglesa como primeira lingua gostamos muito dos vídeos

[@miradan1959]

Thank you!!!

[@waleedalawad]

our pretty teacher all time let us happy with good lesson thanks Jennifer

[@hugomarin3763]

you're right in your answer below, maybe It's the same in many languages, I speak Spanish and It isn't the exception. we have many abbreviations when we send messages one another, actually I always use it for Facebook, For example, "por que" I always write this way:"xq". of course there're many of them. by the way, Today October 16 in my country we celebrate teacher's day. so, happy day teacher, thank for all, greeting from chile Saludos

[@ahmedghieth100]

dear me any my friend from Egypt anxious to see new video , we need every minute a new video, you are so kind , i wish good bless you cuz you help the people to learn "as u know knowledge is power "" thx again im Muslim , and i will pray good bless you

[@adamearth3102]

Thanks for resolving the cipher of the chat.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

You're welcome!

[@02sanja]

I am still a big fan of you and your excellent way of teaching! :-)

[@kudrot1]

Thanks Jennifer, I learned something from your video...excellent..

[@a.karaman9750]

Best regards, from Turkey.. You are so informative and helpful Jennifer I like all your videos :)

[@Hanif55555]

Hi....im from kazakhstan n i love it b coz i understand u)))

[@Jdapotter]

Thank you Jennifer, such a lovely comment...

[@ahmedghieth100]

god bless you , so nice lesson help me at work and life , u so kind u should come Egypt one day , i will be your guide

[@ZAGAZIG2004]

thanks Jennifer, your videos are useful

[@MAminGental]

We'll done. You'r always the best. Thank you.

[@ArunGoyal2007]

Cool and relaxed. Enjoyed the video and learned some expressions I did not know. Pl include SO (Significant Other) used for a GF or BF in the next revision :=)

[@kafuiabalo9472]

thanks so much Jennifer, I love this video

[@Englishwithjennifer]

You're welcome.

[@trannguyen7334]

Thank you so much! Love your vids! They're very useful to me!!! XOXO! ^^

[@stuarg1212]

you are awesome..... thanks .I am from Ecuador..

[@DEMBAII]

Thank you it's very useful lesson

[@waleedhashim1641]

Hey my teacher! If that okay with you, I would like to call you my teacher ^__^ Well as usual very very good video, its helpful, you do a great job, keep going on... By the way I took your recommendation and visit your website and I found it very useful, I don't know how to thank you enough! But Thanks a lot... Your student...

[@elmeryu843]

Thanks.Could you please give me your website and your community forum?

[@adriaanaarland836]

I do like your style of teaching ms Jennifer! Do you make use of Skype? and any other means if reaching you?

[@olganewvol5458]

love ur lessons. thnx

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thanks for watching, Olga. Take care!

[@jair.cristobal]

Amazing I did not know many of the phrases

[@keyaojiang3433]

Hello, Jennifer. I like watch your video very much. But can you add more about to see a GYN doctor's words? I'm pregnancy,but I can't my doctor mostly. Can you help about that? Thank you so much.

[@vaporizzzer]

Dear Jennifer, Just having watched your two Internet and slang videos, I would like to provide some feedback. While, being a linguist myself, I very much appreciate what you're doing here for the language community (and there are many people, I am sure, who don't understand a lot of all this slang and who need to be taught it, however - ), I also want to say that one should not draw false conclusions. As we know, language economy is one of the driving forces of language change. And that's not a bad thing (and can't be held back anyway). What we're seeing on the Internet and in text chats reflects that, I believe. One should not say that x is a good acronym because it's commonly known and y is a bad one because it's not. Language follows its own rules and if for instance "bff" turns out to be a useful abbreviation, it's going to be established as such, whether we like it or not. From my professional experience, I can tell you that abbreviations like "FYI", "ASAP", "btw", "w/", "w/o" or "re:" are de facto standards, at least in larger/international companies. They belong to our everyday communication, even pronounced as abbreviations. It's not that some people use them, but many people use them without questioning that anymore. And people understand each other, meaning to me that use of these abbreviations is justified by now. Again, I very much appreciate the effort you're putting in here and you should definitely keep on going, for your explanations are excellent and easily consumable. All I'm saying is that we shouldn't judge too much from a linguistic POV (sorry, point of view ;)). I hope you don't mind my feedback. Kind regards, Lars

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Dear Lars, I welcome feedback, so thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Comments and constructive criticism are healthy, and of course the latter is much easier to take when it is done in a respectful manner. :) Thank you again, and I am sure viewers will appreciate the food for thought. Best regards, Jennifer

[@vaporizzzer]

JenniferESL Thank you, Jennifer, for your reply. I absolutely agree with you; constructive criticism is a very good thing (and yes, should be communicated in a respectful manner). I was a bit worried about that after having written my previous lines. Viewers aside, I was hoping to get your input on my thoughts as well. Let me know what you think, when you have a chance:). Thank you & kind regards, Lars

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Lars Emm Hello again, Lars. I agree that a good number of abbreviations, acronyms, and initialisms have made their way into everyday professional communication, especially via email and texting. ASAP, FYI, Re: are good examples. Nevertheless, there still remains a line between acceptable brevity and a lack of formality. A certain level of language is needed in professional communication. I feel it is best to teach non-native speakers to err on the side of being too polite rather than being too familiar and causing offense. When I correspond with publishers, project heads, and the like, we do not use formal titles, but often there is a lack of contractions, phrasal verbs, and idiomatic expressions. There is higher level vocabulary, fuller grammar structures, and a lack of abbreviations. When I text with colleagues and business acquaintances (contractors, brokers, etc.), we do not use "u" for "you." Words are spelled out. Truly, even with my husband and close friends I never use "cos" or "gonna." I cringe at those spellings. Standard abbreviations such as ASAP, p.m., etc., Re:, CC: are perfectly fine in professional correspondence; however, a text that combines these standard forms along with more informal shorthand, like "C U!" or "Gr8" or "ur" would be inappropriate in a business email or in any communication in which a high degree of respect must be shown. When I write to a friend's parent or other elder, I type out words like "thanks" and "without," even when I am pressed for time. We might compare language to clothing to explain how one can resolve issues with formality. I would rather encourage learners to overdress than "under-dress." Until one learns what "business casual" means in a U.S. office, it would be better to show up in a suit than ripped jeans and a t-shirt. Does that make sense? Thank you again for your interest in this topic. Kind regards, Jennifer

[@ririjp0407]

This is very helpful for me, thnx !

[@65raffy]

Sick in bed on a rainy day, your vid is a ray of sunshine. LOLXXXOOO. PS doesn't LOL also stand for Lot Of Love?

[@elmeryu843]

I have found your website,thank you ~

[@islam8876]

Thx a lot, u r amaizing.

[@fhamadou1]

Great ans use fil. Thank you

[@mashth1]

thank you very much its very useful

[@edimustofa4944]

thanks Jennifer

[@Englishwithjennifer]

You're welcome, Edi. Have a good weekend!

[@edimustofa4944]

Have a good weekend too!

[@huh757]

Thank you very much teacher

[@Englishwithjennifer]

You're welcome!

[@mirellagiaivia6465]

very very useful. and...OMG! U R SUPER!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Hi again, Mirella. I'm happy you liked this lesson. :)

[@lakshmanankomathmanalath]

great great. thank you.

[@yershep]

Thnx Jennifer :)

[@elmeryu843]

Thank u a lot! I'm a English learner who comes from China,now I'm busy in taking part in the entrance exams for postgraduate schools,however,u know my vocabulary is limited,I have spent lots time memorizing the word, but it's seems useless,I don't know the efficient way to memorize the word and phrase,can u help me?Thank u,Jennifer!

[@mrkhalid1142]

thanks

[@hamidismail2398]

Thax alot 4 this video .. xoxo ^^

[@badblood2447]

Thank you too much. It helps me a lot............ :)

[@Englishwithjennifer]

You're welcome. :) (Correction: Thank you so much./ Thank you very much.)

[@badblood2447]

Oh! Thank you so much.. :)

[@kencrampton4016]

JenniferESL

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Ken Crampton Thanks for visiting this page. Kind regards!

[@kencrampton4016]

Hi

[@2408soso]

I love you so much

[@Lovebib919]

Lovely XOXOXO

[@hyegaby]

=';'= LO LO!!! imo this vid is very useful, thnx

[@laurenzoblue7231]

No one uses omho they just use imo

[@اسماعيلزين-ع7ه]

Thanks