Text Language Transfer?

Secondary
Gill Johnson, Hastings, UK

Aim:
To look at the relationship between spoken language and text language and compare texting methods in various cultures.

Preparation:
None, though you might like to prepare a direct translation of this text, in your own language.

In Class:
1) Give students a copy of the text message below. Ask them to transcribe it into 'English'

2) When they are ready, give them the transcript and note any differences.

3) Ask the students to tell you/each other how they created the transcript.
(English texting is based on the sounds of the words in connected speech, so reading the text aloud might be a good strategy for creating the transcript.)

4) Ask the students to create a 'text translation' in their own language(s) .In a multi-national class, you might get students working in nationality groups. If the students are used to texting you might get some interesting variations. (see below)

5) Ask your students to tell you/each other how they form text language in mother tongue. You could do this a variety of ways, from getting students to do mini presentations to writing a text to the class!

WOT R U DOIN 2NITE? WE R GOIN 2 DA NEW CLUB. EVRY1S CMIN…TMOT SGONA B A GR8.. NITE
IF U 1 2 CM, W8 4 US @ NRTHG8 @ 8.30 C U L8R!

What are you doing tonight? We are going to the new club. Everyone's coming…Trust me on this; it's going to be a great night! If you want to come, wait for us at Northgate at 8.30. See you later!

Please check the Secondary Teaching course at Pilgrims website.