Message Sending Failed

How does text messaging become a language barrier for Filipinos? Language barrier is the hindrance in communication. This makes us difficult to understand and communicate with each other. One of the things that a language barrier makes it hard for us is learning foreign languages. There were times back in the past centuries where we don’t even have direct translation of language to language, thus making it really a nuisance to be able to understand other dialects. However in our modern age, there are many barriers that have been resolved due to our advanced technology and transportation. With just one click, we can look for dictionaries and translation in the Internet. There are also schools that offer lessons for foreign languages. Nevertheless, this is an issue in communication that is almost resolved.

With the rise of many gadgets and technological devices like mobile phones and computers, text messaging has become part of our lives. Written text messages are sent using devices with a network. However not so long after text messaging became eminent, a lot of Filipinos used “shortcuts” when sending a text message. Phrases like “wer na u, d2 na me” and “san knb” appeared. Instead of using the entire word, Filipinos got used to text shortcuts probably because of the difficulties in the past units of mobile devices. It came to the point that even students would unconsciously use shortcuts in their academic works and theme papers.  Though it is not a problem for those who can understand these phrases, it is quite inconvenient for some to be able to communicate well using these. If others would want to learn English or Filipino here in the Philippines, they will either experience difficulties or learn the wrong thing. It is not only the foreigners who may experience language barriers in text messaging, but that also includes Filipinos who know both English and Filipino. Those who used shortcuts are not in the standard form of the languages. In some ways, they are unlearning the real language that can result to language barriers.

Since they are being used, most people can understand text shortcuts by this time. There was a time when people would ask experts in text shortcuts just to understand. But now, that barrier is almost collapsing. Though text messaging was made to make an easier way of communication, Filipinos still experience a language barrier with the appearance of text shortcuts.