Revealed: The popular text abbreviations that make your messages seem INSIDEN

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Revealed: The popular text abbreviations that make your messages seem INSIDEN

By XANTHA LEATHAM LOCAL SCIENCE EDITOR FOR THE DAILY POST

Published: 09:00 EST, November 14, 2024 | Updated: 1:04 PM EST, November 14, 2024

Sometimes it’s tempting to respond to text messages with a quick “LOL” or “BRB.”

But sending abbreviations like these – short for ‘laugh out loud’ and ‘be right back’ – can make you come across as insincere, a study suggests.

Researchers say people should spell words out in full instead of shortening them if you want to seem authentic and get more responses.

A team from Stanford University in California conducted eight texting experiments involving more than 5,300 people.

Analysis found that people who used text message abbreviations such as ‘FWIW’ – instead of spelling out ‘for what it’s worth’ – were perceived as more disingenuous.

They were also less likely to receive a response because they put less effort into text conversations.

“In everyday interactions, we often encounter people who could be considered good or bad texters,” said lead researcher David Fang.

“We thought texters would like abbreviations because it would convey an informal sense of connection, so we were surprised that abbreviations created negative perceptions about people who use them.”

Sometimes it’s tempting to respond to text messages with a quick “LOL” or “BRB.” But sending abbreviations like these – short for ‘laugh out loud’ and ‘be right back’ – can make you come across as insincere, a study suggests (stock image)

Texting has become a dominant form of digital communication, and most texters use some abbreviations, including “IDK” for “I don’t know” or “GOAT” for “greatest of all time.”

Texting has become a dominant form of digital communication.

And most texters use some abbreviations, including “IDK” for “I don’t know” or “GOAT” for “greatest of all time.”

In one of the surveys conducted by the researchers, 99 percent of respondents said they used text message abbreviations.

Meanwhile, 84 percent didn’t believe others would dislike abbreviations.

The team found that while young people tend to use more text message abbreviations, they are still not fans of them.

“Although our overall results were mixed in terms of age, it is clear that younger people are not as keen on abbreviations,” Mr Fang said.

He warned that text message abbreviations could contribute to loneliness as people find social bonds weakening over time as they receive fewer frequent or positive responses to their text messages.

However, he doesn’t believe people should stop using abbreviations altogether.

Analysis found that people who used text message abbreviations such as ‘FWIW’ – instead of spelling out ‘for what it’s worth’ – were perceived as more insincere

“We often tailor the effort we put into conversations based on the meaning of the relationship,” he said.

‘In some cases it makes sense to put in less effort and accept that you are perceived as less sincere, such as quickly texting a delivery person.

‘However, our findings are especially relevant when we want to appear more sincere and strengthen social bonds, such as at the beginning of a relationship or when we want to make a good impression.’

The findings were published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.

WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER USE FULL STOPS IN TEXT MESSAGES

You may think of emoji as silly additions to text messages, but a new study has found that the characters can help convey meaning.

The study found that far from being annoying, smiley faces, as well as abbreviations and acronyms, are valuable additions to text messages.

But ending messages with a period people turned out to be a heartless move that changed the meaning of texts.

Researchers at Binghampton University in New York suggest that new additions to written communication called “textisms,” such as LOL and CUL8, are not sloppy, nor a sign that written language is dying, but provide vital clues that usually only can be found in face-to-face meetings. .

Even using jargon like “yes,” “yes,” and “no” in text messages gives telltale signs of someone’s real emotions and feelings.

Professor Celia Klin, lead author of the study, said: ‘Unlike face-to-face conversations, texters cannot rely on extra-linguistic cues such as voice tone and pauses, or on non-linguistic cues such as facial expressions. and hand gestures.’

In a spoken conversation, the signals are not simply a supplement to our words; they convey crucial information.

‘A facial expression or a rise in the pitch of our voices can completely change the meaning of our words.

“One way texters add meaning to their words is through the use of textisms – things like emoticons, irregular spelling (soooo) and irregular use of punctuation (!!!),” she said.

Previous research by Dr. Klin showed that text messages that end with a period are perceived as less sincere than text messages that do not end with a period.

These results suggest that punctuation can misinterpret or influence the meaning of text messages.

Skipping punctuation indicates that you are answering more spontaneously and sincerely.

The new research shows that dots are increasingly being replaced by abbreviations, emoticons and the even more recent trend of emoji, including images of a cake for someone’s birthday or a pint of beer for a night out.