Instant messaging is truly a communication phenomenon of the 21st century. Most of my friends use MSN, and even my mom—though functionally computer savvy is hardly a technocrat—has an account that she uses to leave cryptic messages filled with hugs and kisses and mewls from her 2 recently-adopted kittens on my desktop. As a linguist, whether I agree that instant messaging is challenging and changing the face of written language seems less important than the reality that more and more people are communicating about all sorts of topics that they otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to discuss. There’s something about the anonymity or lack of face-to-face contact in instant messaging that gives us an added sense of freedom.
However, what intrigues me most is not what we’re communicating but how we choose to communicate it, and in accordance with my post on nicknames, the taglines we use when doing so.
Some people stubbornly refuse to put anything but their first name. Some add a last name or maybe a nickname. Others may be wild and inventive, with long or short taglines depending on their mood, the season, time of day, or current weather forecasts. Some mention school assignments or final marks. Current events, catchy slogans, and juicy celebrity gossip all hit the spot. Some sell personal possessions and worldly goods in a format that is considerably more casual than an auction on Ebay. They talk of their lifelong aspirations, of love, failure, procrastination and places they’d love to travel. Quotes of those we admire or names of songs we live to jive to. The array of information that people feature in their taglines is truly eclectic.
In the 21st century, it’s yet another way that we use to define ourselves.
I definitely know what you mean… There are many topics that I discuss with others over msn that I would never talk about in a face to face conversation — even if I’d known them for a long time. Certainly the benefits are obvious; more communication (at least of a meaningful nature) is rarely a bad thing.
However, I’ve noticed some drawbacks from instant and text messaging. Many of the abbreviated forms used are invading more conventional methods of communication. I’ve heard of essays being turned in that are almost completely in msn speak. Just the other day my brother was complaining about how he couldn’t understand an email sent to him from a co-worker because it was too abbreviated.
Oh, and speaking of communication, did you get my email?
yes, yes and yes. Agreed. I disclose an awful lot online. But actually, I probably do that in person too.
re: msn: i like it when people just have their names, with maybe a word or two about their current mental state. It drives me bonkers when people have half a song quoted, thus leaving it too long for me to see the complete name and also leaving me effectively in the dark about who they are. Ohh the banal pet peeves i have.
ryc: thanks for the congrats! I guess it is a turning point….especially in that now if I die, my debt will be six times what it was. and i get to decorate. and i feel old. yowza.