Today’s Father-child “Conversation”
One of the few commercials I find entertaining every time I watch is the ATT – Cingular ad with the Mom and daughter talking about her phone bill.
Mother: Beth Anne!
Daughter: WU?
Mother: Your cell phone bill is what’s up. All this texting.
Daughter: OMG, INBD.
It’s very believable. Both the actors play their parts well, the daughter’s exasperation at having to give up her phone, the mother trying to text speak. Very clever, good brand identity, unique selling point made.
I love the texting language. It’s unique, ingenious even. When I play poker online, there often will be chats that use texting language.
I ran across this column by Peter G. Marsh where he describes a Father-child texting conversation.
The following Instant Message exchange is based on actual events. Screen names have been changed to protect the innocent and incompetent, respectively.
Byline55: Good Morning David, are you awake?
Dave4eva: hi dad sup?
Byline55: How did you know it was me? I just created myself a new identity.
Dave4eva: ur the only one who uses caps and commas
Byline55: Oh sorry. And, by the way, instead of saying “caps” you should say “upper case.”
Dave4eva: k
Byline55: Is that short for OK?
Dave4eva: wtf
Byline55: Excuse me?
Dave4eva: never mind.
Byline55: K.
Dave4eva: wat do u want anyway
Byline55: Mom and I want to know if you are coming downstairs for breakfast this morning.
I love the texting language, but since I don’t own a cell phone, chatting with other poker players is the limit of my use.
Do other other non-English speaking countries use texting languages?
