Comparing the Characteristics of Text-Speak Used by English and Japanese Students

Jean Underwood and Taiichiro Okubayashi
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Jean Underwood: Nottingham Trent University, UK
Taiichiro Okubayashi: Osaka University, Japan

International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning (IJCBPL), 2011, vol. 1, issue 2, 45-57

Abstract: Text messaging is pervasive among the youth of many cultures, but the extent and nature of text-speak, the modified host language, is open to question. This study of English and Japanese undergraduates specifically investigated whether text-speak is a product of the technological constraints on the host language or is influenced by gender differences in communication style. The study had a between-subjects factorial design with two independent variables: language (English, Japanese) and gender (male, female). The dependent variable was frequency and type of text modification. The results show both a qualitative and quantitative difference in texting between the two groups with English texters being more active. However, English and Japanese females made more adaptations to the host-language than their within-culture male peers, even though the structure of the two host languages was very different. The greater use of abbreviations by females compared to males might be explained either by a higher engagement with this mode of communication or diverging goals between the sexes when texting.

Date: 2011
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:igg:jcbpl0:v:1:y:2011:i:2:p:45-57

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International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning (IJCBPL) is currently edited by Nadia Mansour Bouzaida

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