Abbreviations – what’s UR view?

Txt speak seems 2B taking over.
And it’s not just with the cool kids swapping plans for the weekend on their Blackberry Bold 9000. 

Now local companies and government organisations have decided to join in the fun, in what seems to be a revolutionary communication craze.

Phones 4 U, Toys R us, Ask 4 cleaning, can all sit proud with their idea of swapping traditional English language with numbers and digits which, hey presto, sound the same.

Rochdale Borough Council, for instance, provides Link4life, the local leisure and sports facilities in and around the borough.

Change4life is a sister organisation joined with the local PCT.

And it only takes a small local business search on Rochdale Online to discover that A1 Homes 4 U, Drive 4 Cars, Eyes 4 Homes, Paws 4 Contacts all seem to be doing fine with their witty, language-defying company names.

Former Conservative councillor Ian Duckworth claims it is a “pointless” way of trying to reach out to young people. He said: “I have to say I find it pathetic.
“It reminds me of ageing DJ’s and trendy vicars trying to connect with youth”.

“It is not exactly educational and I wonder how it affects people’s use of the real English language”.

But student Angela Morrison abbreviations don’t have to spell the end for the English language.

She said: “We know how to write properly, that’s what people tend to forget, abbreviated texts are just quicker to type that's all.

"I suppose Link4life that is just catchy, there is nothing wrong with it.

"It is true that things are changing but 'text speak' and abbreviations shouldn't be seen as a lack of education, more like a willingness to move with the times”.