Do you think that to know about chat language is important for EFL undergraduates?

[spoon]

Hi,

How have you been? :)

I'm now studying on abbreviations used in chat rooms.

Although I've chatted with my foreign friends (most of them are
EFL learners) frequently, however, I've rarely used chat abbreviations such as b4 or lol etc. Therefore, I'm wondering whether to know about chat language or text terms is really important to talk with foreigners online.

I guess it seems to be beneficial t or useful for EFL learners' learning to know about some of them in this 'internet or SMS world'. Could you give me your ideas?

Thanks in advance for your opinion.

Sincerely,
Spoon

[Anglika]

It is essential if you are going to text people very often.

Personally I do not think it matters a hoot between friends, but matters a great deal if you are trying to communicate with people who are struggling to learn a foreign language. Keep it for informal social communication.

[Tdol]

It's is a valid part of today's language and many users will come across these abbreviations. There are many that are fairly ridiculous, but I think that knowing the common ones would help.

[riverkid]

Word of the year


W00T

[seba_870701]

Originally Posted by Tdol

It's is a valid part of today's language and many users will come across these abbreviations. There are many that are fairly ridiculous, but I think that knowing the common ones would help.

I was wondering whether you could provide us with some examples, Tdol? Thanks in advance.
Sebastian

[Tdol]

People coomunicate through chat and other message systems, as well as informal emails, so it does become natural to use abreviations- I have to check several email addresses from this site as well as my personal account, and the load of e-communication is growing for most people.

If you mean actual examples, useful one are things like brb (be right back), while ROTFLMAO (rolling on the floor laughing my ass off) has always struck me as rather silly.
l8rs

[seba_870701]

Yes, what I meant is actual examples. Thanks for the ones you supplied.