The lack of upper-case letters and the use of "u" for "you" are
conventions of IM and text messaging. Especially in cell phone
messaging, they save key strokes and therefore money. "wonderign" is
obviously a typo, and we all make those.
What I find unpalatable is the casual tone of the message that is
conveyed by the usage of these IM conventions and by "get back to me
when you [not "u" for some reason] can." The implication is that "ur
classes" are in the same category as cell phone chat. Of course,
informality and a lack of respect based on position are as old as the
Republic and frequently remarked on by visitors to these shores, and
the trend seems irreversible. These days, complete strangers call me
up or e-mail me and address me by my first name. I don't like it, but
I recognize it as part of the culture and not necessarily an indicator
of the caller's attitude towards me. In this student's message, it's
hard to know, at least without background information, to what extent
it reflects personal ideas and to what extent cultural norms.
Jay Livingston
Montclair State University
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From: "Jay Livingston" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Teaching Sociology" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: An e-mail from a student...
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 08:08:19 -0700
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The lack of upper-case letters and the use of "u" for "you" are
conventions of IM and text messaging. Especially in cell phone
messaging, they save key strokes and therefore money. "wonderign" is
obviously a typo, and we all make those.
What I find unpalatable is the casual tone of the message that is
conveyed by the usage of these IM conventions and by "get back to me
when you [not "u" for some reason] can." The implication is that "ur
classes" are in the same category as cell phone chat. Of course,
informality and a lack of respect based on position are as old as the
Republic and frequently remarked on by visitors to these shores, and
the trend seems irreversible. These days, complete strangers call me
up or e-mail me and address me by my first name. I don't like it, but
I recognize it as part of the culture and not necessarily an indicator
of the caller's attitude towards me. In this student's message, it's
hard to know, at least without background information, to what extent
it reflects personal ideas and to what extent cultural norms.
Jay Livingston
Montclair State University
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