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)
You can also come across IMHO (in my humble opinion)
L8 = late
L8R = later
LOL = laughing out loud
(when you want to show that you think something is funny)
LOL = lots of love
(used to sign off a text to a friend or family member)
M8 = mate (friend)
msg = message
NE = any
NE1 = anyone
NO1 = no one
OTOH = on the other hand
PLS = please
R = are
where r u? = Where are you?
RUOK? = Are you OK?
RGDS = regards
SPK = speak
SRY = sorry
THNQ = thank you
THX/TX = thanks
U = you
W8 = wait
WAN2 = want to
WRK = work
XLNT = excellent
Y = why
YR = your
1 = one
NE1 (= anyone)
2 = to / two / too
2day (= today)
2moro (=tomorrow)
2nite (=tonight)
U2 (= you too)
4 = for / fore
4 now (= for now)
B4 (= before)
8 (replaces the sound ate / eat)
GR8 (= great)
C U L8R (= see you later)
