SMS English

SMS or short message service was invented as a medium to stay ahead with the changing technologies in the world and provide users with a novel mobile experience, but with time it has evolved as a brand new genre in English language and has become an integral part of the “hot trends” surrounding the language.

English language is ever growing and to keep pace with the changing styles and trends in the language, you also need to be aware of some of the most commonly used short forms or abbreviations in SMS.

In the world of SMS language, words are made with the help of punctuation marks and by taking specific alphabets or numbers out of whole words or sentences. Some examples are here as follows:

There = Dere/Tere

Thank you = Thnx/Thnk u/Thnx/ty

What’s up? = Wassup? /Wts up?/ Wtz up?/Sup?

Before = B4

Later = L8r

Night= Ny8

You = u

Are = R

Don’t = Dnt

I don’t know = Idk

As soon as possible = Asap

Be right back = Brb

Information = info

What = Wut/Wat

Goodnight = Gn

Take care = Tc

Sweet dreams = Sd

That = dat

See you = Cu

What about you? = Wbu?

Ok = K/Okies/kk

I don’t care = Idc

By the way = Btw

Talk to you later = Ttyl

For your information = Fyi

On the other hand = Otoh

Rolling on the floor = Rofl

And = N/&

Number = #

Tonight = 2ny8/2nite

For you = 4u

Laughing out loud = Lol/lolz

Message = msg

Text = Txt

Said in context = Sic

With respect to = Wrt

And the list goes on... There are no set rules on how to make and use these short forms. They are born out of the imagination and understanding of the ones who seem to be using them, and gradually becomes popular among others.

SMS language may seem to make things simpler or faster but can easily confuse those who are new to it. They can also irritate people in case of official matters where they end up not taking you seriously. Therefore, these short forms can be used when you want to save time or are having an informal conversation with a friend or an acquaintance but must be avoided while sending official messages or formal notes.

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How to improve spoken English?

The following tips helped me improve my spoken English and overcome my hesitation in the language. Hope they are useful for you too.

1. Don’t worry about making mistakes because you will make mistakes as a learner.
2. Be patient. This isn't a one day process.
3. Learn certain phrases that can be used in multiple situations.
4. Learn how to greet someone properly.
5. Talk slowly and carefully. Don’t rush through your sentences.
6. Restrict yourself to simple sentences until you gain confidence.
7. Watch out for your pronunciation. Many online tools will tell you how to pronounce a word correctly. Check one of them out when you’re in doubt.
8. Carefully observe how proficient speakers of the language pronounce words and frame their sentences.
9. Ask your friends, relatives and anyone you can to point out your mistakes and correct them.
10. Speak to them in English only. Practice is a must.
11. Record yourself reading one article aloud every day. Focus on pronunciation, speed, clarity and emphasis.
12. Many online sites offer you the opportunity to voice chat with another user. This is an effective way to practice.
13. Learn at least one new word every day and use it as a part of your conversation with people. By the end of the week, you should know seven words really well.
14. Learn new words everyday
15. Read at least one article of your choice aloud every day.
16. Watch English movies with subtitles.
17. Watch English shows.
18. Read books and magazines.
19. Keep a pocket dictionary handy for any word you may need to know the meaning of.
20. When you hear a new word, try to find its usage and its antonyms.
    
    
    Best of luck!

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Spoken English Tips

In today’s scenario where globalization is on the rampage, the stage is set such that English has become inevitable and important for anything and everything like studies, jobs, business and for many more aspects.  

Possessing fair English knowledge would give you the confidence and good understanding on various global perspectives. It is never wrong to learn any new language. English language has become an essential tool to communicate with most of the persons in the society.  Particularly, today’s youth, although they have good knowledge they don’t possess English skills, as a result they fail in interviews.   

With the confidence that you can learn any language, right away start following the given tips … soon you all will find a radical change in your language.   

• Read English newspaper, short story or even novel for 20 minutes everyday to get comfortable with the language. 
• Develop your written language. It would help you to form right sentences within a considerable span of time and later this practice would help to form sentences in much shorter span of time.
• Start Speaking. Try out your spoken English on anyone who will be able to respond to you. Dont be afraid of making mistakes.
• Keep your ears open for the accent. Watch English news channels on Television. Watch BBC for the British Accent, CNN for the American Accent and NDTV 24/7 for the urban Indian Accent.
• Record your speech. Listen to your voice and catch your pronunciation mistakes. Make an earnest effort to avoid them.
• Grammar is important. The parts of speech, tenses, form of verb, articles and modals all contribute to fluency. Focus more on understanding between noun and verb, which runs throughout English at all levels. Make an sincere effort to learn them.
• Make the Dictionary your best friend. Everyone, including the scholars use it when confronted with a new word. So it is not bad or do not have the feeling that you don’t know. Familiarize yourself with its meaning and use it in a sentence that very day.
• Have someone proficient read aloud to you. A storybook or a newspaper article will do. Watch the way they move their lips and mouth while pronouncing certain words.
• Learn one new word a day. To increase your active vocabulary start memorizing the meaning of a word you had heard but not sure of. Use it regularly to absorb it into your vocabulary bank.
• Start writing a Diary. It will allow you to practice the language in a totally non-threatening environment. Everyday write one concrete paragraph of at least 100 words.

Definitely, your spoken English will improve, but cannot, if you lack commitment.

Always remember, the skills involved in developing any language are Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. It would not possible to develop any single skill in isolation.

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