Dear Adoring Public,
I've heard your outcry and many of you brought some greats points of clarity to my attention. Many more of you just sent me texts and emails using only letters. I've deleted you all from my life.
I realize there are a few exceptions to my rant. These have become part of our vernacular and I accept that. What I fear most, though, is that some of the dumb ones will also become part of our vernacular and that makes me sad. Mostly, I fear that the youth of America might actually start to communicate in a totally different language that is only letters. And then we'll have some kind of National Tragedy when none of them are able to find jobs.
"Is America's Workforce Ignorant?"
Well, actually, yes, Wall Street Journal… they've all graduated from high school and college and they have no idea how to string together a sentence that anyone older than 20 can understand. It will be the apocalypse of the written word. Like a damn genocide of the dictionary. As daughter, grand-daughter and niece to English teachers I fear this day. Mom and Aunt Sherry – take up your pens and fight! And now, to all my friends with BAs in English or English Literature… you have a campaign worthy of your best efforts. Your degree might actually provide you with a workable skill in my little "Fight to Save the English Language" There is a battle to be waged and only you can do it.
And this begs the questions for me.. do French speakers whore out their language this way? Are they sending texts that use a just a V instead of VOUS… are they typing WE instead of OUI? Do the Chinese only use half of one of those stickmen? Is this an International Crisis?
Regardless, here in no particular order are my exclusions:
– OMG – you can only abbreviate this if you actually say the letters out loud.
– BTW – it just sounds fun. So its OK.
– FYI – cause I like it and it started in business and before this teenage nonsense.
– WTF – cause that one just makes you feel better
– FML – see above note on WTF
– LOL – I actually prefer this to haha, unless you are a dude. I don't think dudes should say LOL.
I am sure there are others, I just can't think of them right now. And WTF, I need to get back to work because OMG I have tons to do. And BTW FML.
Well, I Believe... 
July 16, 2010 at 7:52 am
Yes, agreed.
BTW reminds me of the great Barney Stenson.
Legen…
wait for it…
daaaary.
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July 16, 2010 at 8:21 am
LOL
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July 16, 2010 at 8:22 am
I’d like to add a symbol to the list… “<3."
I realize that this is widely used to communicate affection or appreciation. But to me, it just looks like balls.
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July 25, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Sherry,
I teach middle school English. My kids are all about abbreviating in text messages and email, on myspace and bebo. The good news is that they also know how to spell and write properly. They are not the best writers, but they know the basics.
I use text lingo in almost all of my text messages. I never use it in emails. I believe the reason is because a text message is quick and to the point. The shorter we can make it, the better. Who wants to sit and type a long text?
-Erika Hultsman
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July 26, 2010 at 3:30 pm
I don’t even know what FML is the abbreviation for. Let me rephrase as I ended that sentence with a preposition. For what is FML the abbreviation? Do I want to know? Is it something foul? vulgar? crass?
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October 14, 2013 at 10:14 am
A psychiatrist is a pasiycihn who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. I have a bachelor’s degree in the social services field. For several years, I have worked with children who have been diagnosed with mental disorders. It is upsetting to see children victimize at an early age and even more disturbing to see them as predators as early as 5 years of age, however knowing that I am doing my part to assist them in becoming functioning youths and adults is rewarding. The empathy, confidentiality and maturity of a medical assistant are definitely needed in this area. I enjoy establishing a rapport with these clients and helping them to find adequate coping skills to deal with their disorders, therefore I would like to work for a psychiatrist.I would not like to work for an emergency pasiycihn for several reasons. I will explain a few. Patients who come to the emergency center typically have serious injuries or trauma. I would not like to have my mind constantly focused on who is coming thru the door and how sever the prognosis is. Knowing myself, I know that would be my focus and I would not be very productive. Also, in the emergency room the staff has to be prepared for anything, I would prefer an area that focuses on a particular specialty. Most importantly, I do not wish to see excessive amounts of blood loss on a regular basis. Actually, not even a minimal amount of blood loss on a regular basis. Giving my opinion and thoughts about this specialty, I would not be an effective employee.
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