I used to be very much into abbreviations in the past too and would even ask of the meaning of new ones I notice around from friends. Until, I realized that they were beginning to find their way into more serious businesses. So, I quickly swerved and started writing like I was originally taught to. Even though I don't criticize people when I see them write using various slang expressions and near-silly abbreviations on social media and the likes. But it becomes an issue for me when I see grown ups communicate with these silly abbreviations when discussing serious issues. Truth be told, it has even become a turn-off for me.
In the past (post my self redemption), I just read to understand such slang embedded messages when they come my way and move on. Until recently, precisely last December when a certain lady submitted a proposal for the supply of Christmas gifts for staff in my office and the proposal was far from official. Courtesy of all the, ''the-s'' written as ''d'', final ''thank you'' written as ''10Q'', ''I look forward to a favorable response... written as ''I luk 4ward 2 a favorabu response...'' and more. Common! Believe me, I really do not have anything against abbreviations in personal texts or on social media, but when will people learn to draw the line between work and play? Whoever told her she needed to sound ''funky'' or add a little ''swag'' to her business proposal. It's more annoying when words of just a few alphabets are spelt with even more characters in the name of ''funkitude'' E.g - kisses as ''keyceees''. Sometimes even with more ''e-s''. ''you'' spelt as ''yew'' or ''yhu''. All three spellings are just three alphabets, why not just spell it right?! You see, it's not about wanting to save time or being lazy with typing? It's about people following a trend for the sake of feeling among or appearing funky or whatever.
That was last year and I don't even remember discussing the proposal with anybody until I got a mail from a Lawyer this morning requesting that I ''pls'' scan some documents across to her and I got irritated. This is a Lawyer that I've never seen to talk of having a cordial relationship with her. The only form of communication between us has been through mails, all from me to her. None of which she ever acknowledges. Until this morning when she needed something from me directly obviously not wanting any of our superiors to be involved and I get a mail full of, ''goodmawnin'' ''pls'' ''dis'' ''n'' ''10ks'' and the likes. No capitalization. And then the request was in between ordering and requesting. ''goodmawnin, can u help me scan d cert. of incorporation n address of so,so,so. I will be waiting. 10ks.'' I replied her that I didn't have the documents, that she should contact my boss directly who would in turn hand them over to me before I can scan them across to her. #thedocumentsarewithinmyreach *popsgum* *dontjudgeme*
Though some of these abbreviations have been incorporated into formal languages but not in writing. i.e. ''gonna'' ''wanna'' and maybe a few others I can't remember or think of right now. Which should even be used''overseas'' and not here. Tell me why we have to ''gonna'' and ''wanna'' in Nigeria? LOL. I'm serious though.
I remember I used to write "pwetty" and the likes a few years back. Now I can't stand it, even in bbm chats. It's not like you're managing your keypad and shortening please to pls. Pretty and pwetty have the same number of alphabets so what could the problem be? Even that Kk of a thing. Sometime last year I asked a lawyer friend for directions which she gave. I said thanks but had to ask someone else because I couldn't understand her. How was I to know TJ is Tanke Junction? Without meeting you physically, someone chatting with you should be able to tell if you're a Secondary School student, an undergraduate or a graduate.
I knew I had to share this when I saw it on my blogger friend, Eniwealth's page. You know her right? She has given the go ahead to share her articles here. Let the "importation" begin, whoop whoop. Errrm, we're still going to ask her before sharing though. Thank you Eniwealth. Thanks for reading bloghearts. Love, Anuoluwapo.
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| *In Toinlicious voice* Dear Sir/Ma, We are sorry |
11 comments:
Interesting topic. In my candid opinion, there is nothing wrong with using slangs or near silly abbreviations as you call it in social media platforms (BBMS, Twitter, facebook etc). Its not only because people want to save time and typing characters, more importantly its just for fun. Its just exciting when we write Keycees instead of kisses. Its only when we use them during formal mails that it becomes totally unacceptable.
I cant imagine sending a business proposal and using such or sending a mail to my boss or colleague at work and using such. it makes no sense. But when i close from work and i relax on my bed and want to catch some fun with some friends on social media, using such slangs becomes neccesarry for me. It makes no sense to me to write formally (paying attention to right spellings and punctuations) to my wife and pals on BBM etc. The social media platform is not a complete formal setting in itself. I think its ok to use whatever you like as long as you are communicating.
Lets look at speaking. people speak pidgin english when they are with thier friends or relatives but may be unprofessional to speak that in a formal setting.
Life is not that serious please. We should only know when to draw the line as the writer has said.
Lol! I guess you're guilty. I am too but trying to reduce it as per agba tin de.
But can one chat in pwetty pweez? :D Good to know we're all different. Variety z d swize of lyf
Happy 70th birthday in advance Ire :d
To each their own. An excessive use of abbreviations might be a measure of a person's maturity. I have noticed that in Nigeria there is a tendency to vandalise words for fun. I don't use text speak in my messages because I don't want it to be adopted by autocorrect and affect my general writing script. But I recognise that others enjoy it and I accept that. I'm much more irritated by the unnecessary use of emoticons/smileys.
I was guilty of some of these nonsense years ago,but i'm grown now.However,i still abbreviate when i chat,but not when it has to do with anything official.Abbreviations are supposed to be for friends and families,not for serious business.First time here,nice blog.
Hey mami, is it just me or lately, people have been pissing mi lovely mamacita off....Grrr..
Mami, I HATE abbreviations like hell...I struggle with reading it...
**cocks shotgun** Anyone pissing Anu off better know this, I carry a bazooka on me at all times...lol
Thank you *keycees*
Glad to have you here, don't go pweeeez
Hahaha, y'all heard?
Thanks mami *hugz* Don't mind me, my body can like to be hot
Everyone is guilty as charged.i remember when I wrote a brief for. My former boss,and he saw those abbreviations and slangs.he said my content was pretty ooohk but why didn't you pay attention to details.hahahahah,no be my fault,na copy copy do me sir.
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