Internet, SMS lingo a trend among students

Satinder Pal Singh

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“CU L8R, Yew der, f9, njyo lyf!!!” Don’t be surprised, these are not abbreviations or code words, but the SMS (short message service) and Internet language that has found its way into school notebooks, assignments and even answersheets.

The increasing use of cellphones and chatting on social networking sites has resulted in schoolchildren using the shorter version for every possible word. Surprisingly, such format is now almost being used regularly by students in the classroom leaving teachers perplexed.

Several teachers have expressed concern over how the excess use of short message service by the students in the school is swiftly changing their formal expression in language subjects.

Geetanjali Sharma, an English teacher at DPS World School, Zirakpur, said: “Students use short message service during exams when they run short of time. Answers to the last questions usually have “2” instead of “to” and “dem” in place of “them”. Short messaging has become a habit. This is a matter of serious concern”.

Jyoti Nagranee, principal, DPS World School, Zirakpur, said: “We usually discuss this matter in staff meeting as how to overcome this problem. Text messaging has spoiled the spelling habit of students in a big way”.

“Cellphones are being given to students by their parents at the early age. Students have the tendency to pick up the habit of writing that way. New ways of communications have definitely affected the written as well as spoken language of this generation,” she said.

Veena Gupta, principal of Tender Steps Foundation School, Zirakpur, said: “Short text messaging has begun creeping into answersheets that schoolteachers are compelled to tell students that usage of such language in exams may result in lower marks or even flunking. With more children getting hooked on to social media through smartphones, there is a fear that English language might get eroded in the name of ease”.

“One can see clear divisions among them when consider techo-literacy. Students who are exposed to social media using abbreviations carry over their affliction to notebooks and assignments. There are also those students who do not have that kind of exposure, which isolates them with such trends,” said a retired assistant professor of English.

Subegh Singh, a Class X student said: “I have taken the liberty of using such words in my class notes as it is easy for me to comprehend the subject in a better and faster manner. However, I personally draw a line when it comes to writing in examinations”.