Its no longer news that the craze for short-forms in writing and communicating is now at the highest, since it first gained prominence some few years back. Short-forms have taken over virtually every space and medium of communication in use, at least in Nigeria. From facebook to whatsapp, not forgetting the popular blackberry messenger. Some weeks back, I had cause to dash at my friends place, somewhere in Lagos. This friend of mine happens to work in a microfinance bank and as a recruitment officer. I had called him before coming to intimate him of my planned visit. It was during the weekend and he had no external engagements. Immediately I got in, we exchanged pleasantries as usual, and talked a bit so as to catch up on old times. Then, he showed me a document that looked like a written application letter and as he brought it closer, I confirmed my earlier speculation. I was surprised beyond words when I saw the use of u, 4, knw and lyk while going through it. This generation is fast losing touch with decorum and modesty. We have so much taken the little but most important details with utmost levity. I really do wish that the youths of this nation, who supposedly are the leaders of tomorrow, will desist from the obnoxious use of short-forms. Its already having its toll on the younger generation. Let us refrain from using short-forms and by so doing, preserve our ability to remain modest even in communication. I once used short-forms, albeit mistakenly, in a GST course during my university days, and the consequence was so grave that I almost failed the course. Below is a letter I received from an old friend of mine, recently. I could hardly read it, as I had to keep it in my archives as a testament to my write-up. Please take time out to read and tell if you find it worthwhile. Special thanks to Omoyele Sanusi who helped me out on this piece. Dear Solomon, Tis a gr8 privileg dat I ryt u dis leta swt. Its bin a wyl I hrd 4rm u. I tort I wzn’t gona hr a tin abt u as I pasd tru elementary skul n evn now in d universty until I saw blessing 1 of aw clasmates den in primry 3. U rememba r ryt?. I saw r a wik ago @ d famous yaba maket in lag. I wz suprisd bt vry apy. I hugt r tyt nd ddn’t wnt r 2 go bt mama wz alredy calin .D lirul tym was wel spnt tho, as she mentiond Taiwo olatise, hu used 2 av a doll in r skul bag. I laft awt loud lyk it was an FB chat. As I traveled kwikly tru memry lane nd got cautioned nt 2 mak a tear, I remebad d ‘id nd sik ‘ game we used 2 play 2geda. U used 2 say ‘I c u’ even wen u ddn’t nd I used 2 com awt of my idin place nt nowing ur trik. I just hop u r fyn swt cos I mis u so much dat wrds cn’t tell. Taiwo olatise, aw r u? wer r u ? aw av u bin? Aws mum nd dad? Wat abt ur broda abraham?,hu used to tk syd wif u evn wen u wer loosin in d game. I avnt 4gotin ur big sis hu used 2 kum pik u nd ur broda 4rm skul as ely as possible. I jst hop evrytn az bin very wel wit u nd ur family. Nd I hop u miss me 2. Its roughly 16 yrs ago 4rm primry skul. So mny changes n devt az orkod. Blessing mentioned dat u r nao a bg gal nd I saw it wz tru cos she showed me sum of ur pix wich she retrieved 4rm a social netwrk. U lukt so big n butiful. I shud av serchd 4 u on a social netwrk bt mama wudn’t leme join. Perhaps she dozn’t wan me 2 gt distracted. Dat sims lyk a gud 1 ryt? Wel, I hrd u r tru wif d institution of i-yer lenin,m apy 4 u swt. Dat was al blessing tod me, she sed she ddn’t no d name of ur skul let alon ur course of study. Am also in d university studying library sci. Hrd of it b4? I daut it. I no u myt av bin tryin 2 imagin wat I luk lyk nw. I assure u I avn’t grown so big. M jut 7 inchies tal nd avnt chekt my wait a lng tym ago. satisfactory? well, dnt get worid cos m jus startin nd I intend 2 drp my pen afta it az bin exhausted. Morso, I dryv pleasure in songs, dances and art wrks. My favoryt mil is d bst in d wrld poundd yam nd egusi sup. Sky blue nd a toch of yt caches my ice if nt my hrt. Besyds, I celebratd my 23rd birthdi 3 mnts ago. I
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 21:01:26 +0000
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