Welcome to the InfoSci Platform
Reference Hub1
Comparing the Characteristics of Text-Speak Used by English and Japanese Students

Comparing the Characteristics of Text-Speak Used by English and Japanese Students

Jean Underwood, Taiichiro Okubayashi
Copyright: © 2011 |Volume: 1 |Issue: 2 |Pages: 13
ISSN: 2155-7136|EISSN: 2155-7144|EISBN13: 9781613506226|DOI: 10.4018/ijcbpl.2011040104
Cite Article Cite Article

MLA

Underwood, Jean, and Taiichiro Okubayashi. "Comparing the Characteristics of Text-Speak Used by English and Japanese Students." IJCBPL vol.1, no.2 2011: pp.45-57. http://doi.org/10.4018/ijcbpl.2011040104

APA

Underwood, J. & Okubayashi, T. (2011). Comparing the Characteristics of Text-Speak Used by English and Japanese Students. International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning (IJCBPL), 1(2), 45-57. http://doi.org/10.4018/ijcbpl.2011040104

Chicago

Underwood, Jean, and Taiichiro Okubayashi. "Comparing the Characteristics of Text-Speak Used by English and Japanese Students," International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning (IJCBPL) 1, no.2: 45-57. http://doi.org/10.4018/ijcbpl.2011040104

Export Reference

Mendeley
Favorite Full-Issue Download

Abstract

Text messaging is pervasive among the youth of many cultures, but the extent and nature of text-speak, the modified host language, is open to question. This study of English and Japanese undergraduates specifically investigated whether text-speak is a product of the technological constraints on the host language or is influenced by gender differences in communication style. The study had a between-subjects factorial design with two independent variables: language (English, Japanese) and gender (male, female). The dependent variable was frequency and type of text modification. The results show both a qualitative and quantitative difference in texting between the two groups with English texters being more active. However, English and Japanese females made more adaptations to the host-language than their within-culture male peers, even though the structure of the two host languages was very different. The greater use of abbreviations by females compared to males might be explained either by a higher engagement with this mode of communication or diverging goals between the sexes when texting.

Request Access

You do not own this content. Please login to recommend this title to your institution's librarian or purchase it from the IGI Global bookstore.