Language Deviation in Sms:Graphology and Grammar

Abstract

he present study entitled‘Language deviations in SMS: Graphology andGrammar’, is an attempt to describe the language deviations in English SMStext messages with reference to Graphology and Grammar. The study alsoaims to pin-point the determinants for the use of deviant form of language inSMS text messages. The study is based on the bothprimary and secondarysources of data. The primary sources of data were the secondary levelEnglish teachers from Kathmandu Valley. The secondary sources of data forthis study were the SMSes collected from the mobile users of secondarylevel English teachers from Kathmandu valley. The major findings of thestudy arethatthe language of SMS text message is deviated and thedeviations can occur at both graphology and grammar. The determinants forgraophological deviations are: economyregarding time, text and money; noseparate keys for all letters; informal communication; to be unique andcreative in the message; to amuse the readers; establish trend or fashion;message is more important than its form; laziness; haste; for secrecy; not soimportant in SMS;not always possible to write the whole words; timeconsuming and nuisance; no one to one correspondence between sounds andspelling; homophonic alphabets to refer to words; homophonic numbers torefer to words.And the determinants for grammatical deviations are:economyin terms of time, text and money; established trend or fashion;maintain secrecy; informal communication; not always possible for lengthycompleteness; message is more important than its form; not necessary inSMS; meanings are clear without them; minor role in language; informationcan be conveyed through content words. 9 This study incorporates four main chapters and other many sub-chapters. The firstchapter deals with the general background of the study, review of the relatedliterature, objectives and significance of the study. The second chapter consists ofthe methodology, data gathering procedure, and limitations of the study. Similarly,the third chapter includes the analysis and interpretation of data. In the same way,the fourthchapter presents findings and recommendations based on the analysisand interpretation of the collected data. The final part of the study consists ofreferences and appendices.