New studies show that texting sometimes reads like a secret language. The adoption of acronyms can contribute to clouding the actual purpose of communications. A team of researchers conducted an extensive study involving 1,170 participants aged 15 to 80 to assess how these abbreviations affect perceived sincerity in text conversations.
Participants were shown two almost identical texts. One of those outreach messages was written entirely in common text messaging abbreviations and lingo, and the other one was completely in the clear. This scientific lab test sought to understand the effects of abbreviating words on authentic conversation. Second, it explored how these common shorthand expressions alter the “unspoken signals” that accompany written communication.
Another, additional survey sample of 150 American texters aged 18 to 65 confirmed the research found that an astounding 90.1% of study participants use abbreviations on a daily basis in their personal text messages. Additionally, 84.2% of them agreed that these shortcuts improved the recipient’s perception of the message.
Despite these rosy impressions, prior research shows an important catch. One research study found that using shortened forms of communication like texting can give people the impression that someone isn’t being forthright. A new study published in November 2024 made an unexpected discovery. It’s been said that spelling out words can sometimes feel more truthful.
The researchers wanted to see if their theory would play out in the real world. Second, they looked at behavior on Discord, a platform deeply ingrained in Generation Z culture, where youth widely use abbreviations. They wanted to know if real-world texting behavior matched what they found in the lab.
“It’s a subtle but pervasive phenomenon that most people don’t intuit.” – The authors
This study illuminates one interesting, often overlooked facet of current communication. Over half of all texters think using abbreviations makes their texts less confusing. Academic studies have found that speaking in these abbreviated forms leads to increased, rather than decreased, confusion over authenticity.
One researcher noted, “That sense of disappointment chipped away at how authentic the interaction felt.” This sentiment captures the delicate balance between convenience and clarity in texting.
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