There are some obvious generational differences when it comes to text messaging.
For the younger generation texting is its own language. It is a way of having a conversation without having to open your mouth. I have trouble learning new languages.
For me a text message is a little message with written text. I write texts as I would a notecard or a very small essay. This works fine for my generation and I think the younger folks just pity us. At least it’s not as dangerous as trying to ride a skateboard.
I’ve learned a few things about texting.
To emphasize something you REALLY don’t want to use capitals. Capitals sound like screaming in the text or email world. I’ve had friends accidentally have a cap lock on and people mistook their mood.
Apparently, you don’t end a sentence with a period. If you do you are very serious. I am obviously a very serious person. “Yes.” with a period means you might be a little angry. I am probably perpetually angry in my essay writing mode.
On the other hand, you can emphasize using extra periods. (This.is.crazy.) It’s just as well our phones in text mode don’t have grammar check. (We’d.be.in.trouble.) So much for the use of the period. It’s the end of punctuation as I know it.
I’m also trying to learn the abbreviations and other little bits found in texts. I try to sprinkle in a “haha!” or a “lol!” every once in a while. This is so people can understand that I’m trying to be lighthearted and not so serious. I use more exclamation points than I’ve used in my whole life. “Idk” if it really works or not, but at this point “idc” too much one way or the other!
There used to be happy faces 🙂 and sad faces :(. I was starting to make use of these. Now there are a myriad of emojis out there- faces and hearts and thumbs up symbols. I do have a problem with the little faces, though. They are so small. It’s hard to see the expressions on them even with my glasses.
One final problem. I can never quite tell how to end the conversation. “That works for me” (the end?) “Great!” (the end?), smiley face (really the end?) …….thumbs up.
So I’m learning the language. At least I don’t have to worry about pronunciation.
Anyway, ttyl (talk to you later).