19/03/2013

'Textspeak' Creates Barrier For Parents

A new study has revealed that 'text speak' is becoming an ever-increasing barrier between parents and their children.

The survey, which was released during this year's annual Spellathon run by charity Mencap and sponsored by Del Monte Fruit Burst, found 89% of parents felt the craze was the equivalent of a language barrier.

It also found 76% of parents have to regularly ask their children to clarify the contents of their text message or email, with some parents saying this is the case from children as young as the age of eight.


One mother said she received a text message from her eight-year-old daughter saying: "Mum can M8 cotch at yard". When translated, the message means, "Mum, can my friend sleep over at our house this evening?"

The report also found the habit of 'newspeak' was creeping into children's school work, with two-thirds of teachers saying essays and homework frequently contained words such as "Gr8" or "LOL".

Other examples of strange spellings found within children's homework include:

* After - Rfd

* Tonight - 2nite

* Great - Gr8

* Before - B4

* Tomorrow - 2moro

* Cool - Kwl

* Mate - M8

* Pizza - Peetsa

* True - Churoo

* That - Dat

(JP)

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