SINGAPORE : The frequent use of SMS abbreviations has affected
the written language of Singapore youth.
A survey by students of the Singapore Polytechnic shows the
majority of the 800 youths interviewed use SMS abbreviations on
chatlines, forums, to take notes and write e-mail.
The survey was conducted in August and September by second year
Media and Communications students of the polytechnic's School of
Business, and covered the topic of Singapore Youth and their Mobile
lifestyles.
Nora Melissa, project team member, said, "78 percent of our
respondents said that they were affected by SMS abbreviations and
it affected their regular work and the things that they do, because
they are so used to SMS lingo every time they communicate with
their peers."
Nastasha Gotangco, project team member, added, "Sometimes, when we
do our work on the computer, we are not very conscious of what we
do and it's just by habit that we use the abbreviations."
One student noted, "I have been affected once or twice because I
use it so often that it has become a habit for me. So sometimes I
use it in my work as well."
Another commented, "I use the SMS everyday. So sometimes I use them
in my homework or schoolwork."
V Maheantharan, Director, School of Business, "We do set aside a
percentage in the assessment for use of correct proper English.
About 10 to 20 percent, depending on the subject."
Fortunately, according to the survey, only about 10 percent use SMS
abbreviations in their homework and for writing reports.
The survey also shows one in two using their handphones for text
messaging.
33 percent send about 300 to 600 SMSes a month.
More than half started carrying a mobile phone between the ages of
15 and 19. - CNA