OMG! More text speak creeping into business communications

In recent years, however, one irritation has begun to reign supreme—the increasing use of texting and tweeting lingo in corporate communications and business emails.

Example: “OMG. I just had the best idea. Can’t wait 2 share w/u, LOL!”

Sadly, it doesn’t seem to be a passing fad. According to a recent poll of high school educators, 54 percent claim the “mobile phone text message language” is now creeping into teenagers’ schoolwork.

Even worse, a few years ago New Zealand officials allegedly began allowing high school students to use “text speak” in their written national exams. A local newspaper provided some tongue-in-cheek (I think) examples: “We shal fite dem on d beaches” (Sir Winston Churchill) and “2b or nt 2b” (Shakespeare’s Hamlet). Yikes!