f u cn read dis alrdy thn u may nt nd 2 read dis post

Textspeak...is it changing our language or perhaps impacting how well our students write? According to this ReviewJournal.com article "cell phone text messaging is spawning debate on the difference between 'ryt' and wrong.' ...this odd but useful assemblage of symbols used routinely by thumb-typing people -- most of them youngish -- for quick communication. As an adjunct language, textspeak is practical, concise and, often, really creative."

"There's no consensus in the academic community regarding textspeak. Some teachers say text messaging is a form of writing, and anything that prompts students to write is good. Others argue that textspeak isn't the sort of writing that will endear students to either teachers or future employers They do agree that although not widespread, textspeak increasingly seems to be making its way into schoolwork."

The best ways for teachers to explain to students why it's not acceptable in the classroom: 1. The age-old "your write differently for different audiences" and 2. Employers are increasingly demanding excellent verbal and written skills.

Ian Jukes' latest post to his "Committed Sardine" blog included some of the key points from the article as well as a great resource to help you translate textspeak to English...or vice-versa.

Lingo2Word can help. Go to the site and type in a message and it will be deciphered into relatively standard English. Lingo2Word translates works the other way, too.

Here are two examples of classic writing as they might look if sent as text messages:

4 scor n 7 yrs ago r dads brawt 4th on dis cn10nt a nu n8tN, conceivd n Liberty, n dedic8d 2 d proposal dat ll men r cr8d eql. That’s Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

twinkl twinkl lil * ^ abov d wrld so fr
That's the nursery rhyme Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Will textspeak ever become acceptable in the classroom--I doubt it, but... im uzn it wen i txt on my smrtfon coz d butns r jst 2 sml 2 typ ot d hol wrd...it maks my thums sor!

Translated: I am using it when I text on my smartphone because the buttons are just too small to type out the whole word...it makes my thumbs sore!