What Does a Text Message Look Like? Using Text Speak

Contributed by: bNetSavvy.org

If you’ve never texted before, don’t worry – you don’t need to know a special “texting language” in order to send messages.  Plain English (or whatever language you’re using) works just fine.  However, because the maximum length of a text message is 160 characters (letters, numbers, symbols), many people do rely on abbreviations when they text, so that they can say more in less space.  This abbreviated form of language is often referred to as “text speak.”

Text speak “words” are often actual phrases—for example, laugh out loud—reduced to letters: LOL.  Vowels, consonants, and entire words are often omitted (“thanks” becomes thx, and “can’t talk” becomes CT).  Numbers are used in place of words (sexy becomes 6Y). There are numerous text speak translators and converter tools available online.

Text Speak Examples:

LOL                            Laugh out loud
TTFN                          Ta-ta-for-now
BBL                            Be back later
THX                            Thanks
ILU or 143                  I love you
BF or B/F                    Boyfriend
GF or G/F                   Girlfriend
6Y                               Sexy
CT                               Can’t talk
DL or D/L                   Download
L8R                             Later
2                                  To, Too or Two
SRY                            Sorry
HW                             Homework                             
LGH                            Let’s Get High
POS                             Parents over shoulder
LMIRL                       Let’s meet in real life