my SMS style

Mobile phones have become a common gadget such that even primary school children have one of their own. I still remember my first primary six tuition kid a few years ago. I was shell-shocked when she requested to exchange mobile numbers! Considering that I was using a pager back in my primary school days and only had a mobile phone of my own at 17, I was surprised when she told me she possessed a mobile phone.

One of the most commonly used functions of a mobile is sending short text message, also known as sending an SMS or SMS-ing. Unlike writing and emailing where proper formal English is required, there are no standard rules or styles in typing an SMS. One may use proper English whilst another may add in a lot of icons together with their message. Basically, there are no hard, fast rules in typing an SMS. I, for one have my own way of writing an SMS. For those who I have SMS-ed before, I’m not sure if you noticed but I have a few habits when SMS-ing. Here it goes:

The use of ‘haha’

Looking through my sent messages in my phone, I realize I tend to use the word haha many times. Even though the message may not be very funny, I will still put in the word. A few such messages are ‘u reach alrd? Haha okie see ya there’ and ‘ haha im in town now so….’ There is no definite rule when I will add in that word but generally when my reply is one of a positive tone I will use a lot of haha. It’s my way of expressing that I am good and happy. However, if I am corresponding with someone formally, I would definitely omit out this word.

Using abbreviations

I tend to use abbreviations when I am SMS-ing. Actually, I guess this generally applies to almost everyone who uses SMS too. To me, a text message is very informal , therefore there is no need to type out in Standard English. In fact, if I SMS-ed my friends using Standard English, they would most probably think that I am angry and ask if I am fine. A list of SMS text abbreviations can be found here http://y2u.co.uk/Knowledge_Information/Technology/RN_Mobile_SMS_Texting_Slang.htm

Encompassing a smile icon in my SMS

There are two main reasons as to why I would put a smile icon in my SMS. Generally, when I am typing a SMS to someone for the first time, I would put a :) in the message as a friendly gesture. I did not used to do this until one day, a friend I had just gotten to know messaged me and she put the icon in her message. When I read her message, I could feel her friendliness and it just made me feel very warm. From then on, I picked up the practice.

The second reason I would put the icon is when I am being cheeky in my message. Some people would put :p as a sign for cheekiness but for my group of friends, we find it very weird to do that and instead we use :)

These are just some of the more common traits found in my SMS to others. How about you? Do you have a certain way of writing a SMS?