Texting different people is a difference in linguistics. With my parents, I use formal grammar, capital letters, clear punctuation. This is because the method of reading that they grew up with is letter writing and emails, which are both formal.
With my peers, however, linguistics change, because we grew up on the internet, where speed of communication and emotional clarity took precidence over intellectual clarity, and as such, abbreviations, smiley faces, and almost dadaist quips are the normal modality. If I were to send the message "I aM so MaD?" to my mother, she'd probably be confused. Why am I asking a question about my own emotional state? Why are my letters capitalized so randomly? Most people my age, however, recognize that I am not asking a question, i am expressing surprise, and incredulity. The subtext is "I can't BELIEVE this".
This is somewhat distinct from academic writing, where, regardless of whether my audience is my instructor or a group of my peers, my main goal is clarity of thought. Therefore, I must use fully formed sentences, clearly demarkated by paragraphs when I finish a specific point. I must summon the full might of my SAT vocabulary so that I sound academic and don't inadvertently add "Lol" to my paper.
Benjamin, I totally agree with you on this matter. I am a non-traditional student in the fact that I am older and so are my children (except one but that's another story lol.) So I got the best of both worlds. I know how to write a letter but I also know my way around texting. You made good points in your blog. Good job!
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