SMS LANGUAGES IN USE BY THE NIGERIAN STUDENTS

Abstract

The use of SMS/text language in SMS/text messaging has been a great and even a top topic in applied linguistics. Text messaging or texting, refers to the exchange of brief written messages between fixed-line phone or mobile phone and fixed or portable devices over a network. The sender of a text is known as a texter, while the service itself has different names depending on the country. It is referred to as a text in North America, India, Australia, United Kingdom and Philippines, an SMS in Europe, Asia and Africa. This study is divided into introduction, SMS/text messaging, SMS/text language, criticism against the use of SMS/text language, the use of SMS/text messaging and language by students, the forms of SMS/Text language, some Nigerian peculiar SMS language (Acronyms) and slang expressions. Finally, suggestions were given and conclusion drawn based on the findings during the research.