WAN2TLK?

The Short Message System (SMS) limits messages to 160 characters - so you have to make your point quickly. Moreover, it all has to be input to the keypad of something not much bigger than a box of matches. [Why am I telling you this? You're probably already doing it.] This is the ultimate mini-book. It will fit into your shirt pocket without even showing under your jacket.



It explains the principles of text messaging, then lists the abbreviations which have become popular. Most of them are a logical follow-on from email language. As in CUL8R = see you later. The general principle is that you abbreviate words, omit vowels where possible, and use numbers phonetically.

For those who want them, there are the endlessly complex emoticons - those pictograms made from keyboard characters which you have to imagine turned through ninety degrees. But the really interesting development in all this is the language of abbreviations. It's driven by the technical limitations, but it reveals the inventiveness of people who want to communicate - no matter what the odds.

You can't lose here. There are plenty of amusing items, some serious messaging advice, and with Amazon discount it's less than the price of a cup of coffee.