Business texting

… 4 NE1 wrkng in biz 2day

If you work in an international context with English speaking colleagues, the chances are that you send or receive text messages. Text messages can be difficult to understand, as they can contain abbreviations and symbols. This article gives you help in understanding, as well as tips for texting in English.

Here are some features of English texting:

- initials of a word or words
lol (laugh out loud / lots of love)
brb (be right back)

- deleting letters (especially vowels)
wrkng (working)

- using letters or numbers that sound like the words they replace

4 NE1 (for anyone)
2 (to)
b (be)

- using non-standard spellings
biz (business)
coz (because)
wot (what)
av (have)

- using combinations of the above
2day (today)

A note on spelling

Although non-standard spellings are frequent in texting, they should be recognisable as the word they replace. For example, "wot" sounds the same as how "what" is pronounced. Others, like "biz", have been around in English for some time, so are easily understandable. If in doubt, use standard spellings in texting, as your message is more likely to be understood. This is particularly the case if you are sending information texts (to large groups of people) or if you are texting people who are less familiar with texting language.

Some common text abbreviations

AFAIK = as far as I know

B = "be"

I may b l8 2nite = I may be late tonight

BTW = by the way

C = see

C U 2moro (= see you tomorrow)

CID consider it done

EZ = easy

FWIW = for what it's worth
(when you're not sure if the other person is interested in your idea)

FYI = for you information
(when you want to say something important)

IMO = in my opinion
(when you give your opinion)