Exploring SMS (Short Message Service) as Language Variations: A Reflection on English Language Users in Pakistan

Qaisar Mahmood, Sumara Iqbal, Syeda Shaista Batool Zaidi and Muhammad Ahmad
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Qaisar Mahmood: Lecturer Department of English University of Lahore Pakpattan Campus, Pakistan.
Sumara Iqbal: M.A English University of Lahore Pakpattan Campus, Pakistan.
Syeda Shaista Batool Zaidi: M.A English University of Lahore Pakpattan Campus, Pakistan.
Muhammad Ahmad: M.A English University of Lahore Pakpattan Campus, Pakistan.

Journal of Policy Research (JPR), 2016, vol. 2, issue 2, 1-10

Abstract: This study was conducted to explore reflections on short message service (SMS) as language variation which has attracted attention of countless people in the global village. This study found out how language used in SMS bringing new set of written communication being beneficial in their academic or social life, especially writing, or how people are learning language and using habits. Sample of the current study were 100 university graduates (male and female) who were mobile phone users and were communicating through SMS rather than making telephone calls or sending full text to their fellows, teachers and friends, to know that to what extent SMS is i m p r o v i n g their second language learning habits. How they are using and creating new formats of writing for economy of space and time. The quantitative data were qualitatively described and was found out that short message service brought a good deal of variations for the respondents unconsciously in respect of their target language and producing habits. The spelling, grammar and syntactic systems of English language were considered difficult but SMS habits facilitated the respondents because regular use of sending text messages through mobile. Hence, the study suggests that adults studying at universities are second language learners of English language should try to avoid using SMS language variety as this habit might distort the L2 structure and may affect their learning of L2 as pure language.

Keywords: Short Message Service (SMS); English; linguistic systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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