Lost in translation

By: Melanie Zimmermann | Hickory Daily Record
Published: November 21, 2008

If u cn read dis, go gt yr parNts. i nd 2 T2 em bout somit vry impt +U wl hav2 transl8 4 em. IL w8 1ly 4 a mo 'til Ive 2 fix dinA, do d laundry n Fnish ur hmwrk.

No, I didn't lose some letter keys on my keyboard and it isn't a lost Mayan language. It is a new kind of language that is just the "bee's knees" with young folks. Whose grandmother said that?

Here is the translation:
"If you can read this, go get your parents. I need to talk to them about something very important and you will have to translate for them. I'll wait only for a moment until I have to fix dinner, do the laundry and finish your homework." Remember the last sentence. It may come in handy someday.

This new language is called "texting lingo." It uses acronyms similar to the way stenographers used shorthand. It was created as quicker way of communicating online. That's a good thing. We all know the pain of standard messaging rates being applied to our cell phone bills.

Could this form of communication stunt the intellectual growth of our children? I don't think so. Although this language eliminates the use of punctuation and good grammar, our kids' brains have to work a little harder to handle the text lingo. I think it stimulates their brain cells, which in turn enables them to learn the correct method of speaking. Almost sounds like a cool diabolical plan.

If you are having trouble communicating with your kid, try speaking to them in their language. Here are some helpful Web sites to help you translate the lingo.

Text Dictionary - http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/p/content/hdr-texting-dictionary/ - Use this database to look up acronyms you don't recognize such as FOMCL. It means falling off my chair laughing.

Lingo2word.com - http://www.lingo2word.com/ - Use this to translate text messages into English and vice versa.

Netlingo.com - http://www.netlingo.com/emailsh.cfm - The List of Chat Acronyms & Text Message Shorthand

AT&T Parent's Text Tutorial - http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/en_US/pdf/txt2connect-tutorial.pdf. This tutorial explains the lingo in a way parents can understand.

Are you fluent in text lingo? Would you like to learn? I want to know. E-mail me at mzimmerman@hickoryrecord.com. I'll have my translator ready.