As a writer, it is important to me that people are able to understand the meaning of what I write. Sometime for this to happen, you need to help the reader understand the tone it is written in. Some written forms allow this to happen rather easily by allowing the writer to use tools such as italics, bold, caps, etc. One medium that lacks these options is text messaging.
I'll explain.
While it is indeed possible to use all caps in a text message, it requires pushing numerous buttons. I personally have no idea how to italicize in texting. You can underline, but again with the button pushing. In addition, the very nature of text messages is to be short, sweet and to the point. No one wants to read a dissertation on their phone.
Plus, there is always the hindrance of "text talk." brb, LOL, ttyl, BMA (Okay the last one is my own personal text talk and it is only for those of you who know me well enough to be able to figure out what it means. Hint: The first word is Bite)
I love texting, but can't really bring myself to use text talk. It goes against everything I believe in to not use proper punctuation and spellings of words. I am waiting for the first time I read an application and it has text talk instead of real words because the person no longer knows how to spell real words.
Anyway, before I continue this rant, recently my sisters and I were talking about the tones of our texts. Three out of four of us frequently correspond through texts. (The fourth is not technicalogically advanced enough to do texting.) The interesting part is that because she doesn't receive the texts, she hears about them verbally. That is how we came to hear about the perceived tones in each other's texts.
Text: Come to the cabin this weekend. It will be fun.
Response: Maybe I will have to see.
Text:Well sister 2 and sister 1 and me and mom are all going to the cabin.
All sound innocent enough, right. Now add tone with 'tude.
Text: Come to the cabin this weekend. It will be fun. Read: Come to the cabin this weekend. It will be fun.
Response: Maybe. I will have to see. Read: (With total disinterest and probable negagtivity) Maybe. I'l have to see. (Read: If nothing better comes up, I'll consider it.)
Text: Well (Read: Well!! [Add chicken head movement here]) Text:Sister 2 and sister 1 and me amd mom are going to the cabin. (Read: We are all going and will have fun with or without you. It will be your loss, not ours.)
Of course we only hear about these interpretations later after hearing the texts through the non-texting sister.
Apparently, another form of writing which doesn't allow for italics, bold, etc. is right here. I don't have any tools with whch to italicize or bold. Bummer. You'll just have to guess my tone.
8 comments:
I don't understand your last sentence. Is that more text talk? I did hear that tone with 'tude in the text I received and I did see the head motion.
You know what? I take issue with the comment about the 4th sister not being technicologically advanced enough to text. Can you guess my tone? You know why I don't text- $.20 a piece is why. (Chicken-Head movement here)
OK. I stand corrected. I believe your OWN words have said, "It takes me 20 minutes to text 'have a good day'." My bad. (Hand in front, chicken head movement here)
Oh sure change you blog after I have commented. Making it seem as if I can't understand it.
OK. I'm not exactly sure what was said in the first sentence. Am I misreading metha people? Is it text talk? I know. You are probably reading this with chicken head as well. That's OK with me. Sarcasm and condescention are two tones I have grown up with and learned to love about you. However, I'm sure you are criticizing the spelling of condescention. You are right. I don't know if it is correct, but I know you catch my meaning.
Girl you always make me laugh! When the Carlsons get around to texting we'll have you give us a Texting 101 class!
Still haven't forgotten about lunch!
OK people...
What's with the brutal proofreading! Ever heard of TYPOS!!!!! Like crap, it happens. (Except you darling Karma-With you, I can't wait to have lunch.
And by the way, Constance, I am totally reading your comment with the chicken head going and with scorn and condescension.
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