We h8 txt spk
With the advent of mobile phone text messaging, it’s become common to write messages in abbreviated form (“see you later” becomes “c u l8r”, for instance).
That’s all very well for text messages, where the total number of characters was initially very limited. But there’s really no similar need in either emails or forum postings, as there’s usually no length limit. In any case, unless your readers are familiar with the set of abbreviations you’re using, they’re going to have to puzzle out the meaning – so any time you might have saved in typing your message is at their expense.
The same goes for l33t speak (“fear” becomes “ph34r”). This evolved as a coded language between gamers or hackers, and can actually take longer to type than straightforward English.
Unless you know that your reader is happy to use your particular jargon, type in plain English.
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