The BBC has a story about a report commissioned by Msn Uk which says that the pervasive use of Txt'ing worldwide is modifying our language. The report's authors blamed the rise of "globespeak" - people from all over the world using the same shorthand.

[Smart Mobs]

From the article :

The most common alternative for "hello" when starting an informal e-mail or text message was "hey", followed by "g'day", "hola", "howdy" and "yo", according to the survey of 2,000 people.

The survey also looked at how people writing to one another by electronic communication referred to a friend.

"Mate" was the number one choice, followed by "love", "sweetheart", "buddy" and "pal".

Tracy Blacher, MSN marketing director, said: "What is interesting is the speed that language is being modified by the adoption of new technology."

Text Messaging or SMS is huge in India.  Interesting to see IM chat jargon being used in text messages on cell phones - another form of "globespeak" - with LOL, IMHO, BRB, AYT, C4N, ROTFL and emoticons breaking through geographic, linguistic and cultural boundaries.

Here's a comprehensive list of chat jargon for anyone interested in comprehending youth speak - or Generation ICQ as Marc calls it.

Another piece (link via Smart Mobs again) at The Register reports that BT has developed new technology that takes mobile messaging from the arena of 2D photo messages and voice clips to another level where "actual emotions can be conveyed between family and friends in a physical and tactile way". The research by BT Exact, BT's research business, allows interactive toys to be linked to mobile phones so that SMS communication can be displayed through the toys' actions. This enables the texting experience to become more personable and fun, according to BT Exact.

The team is currently collaborating with a number of leading toy manufacturers to produce interactive SMS prototypes of some of their most popular toys. A receiver device embedded in the toy would activate an action on receipt of a message relayed to it over a short range wireless link by an associated mobile phone. The researchers say these prototypes will "create a more natural and tangible mode of communicating for adults and children, which will encourage more imaginative text messaging". The interactive toys are tuned in to their owners' mobile phone so that, whenever an emotional graphic symbol (or emoticon) is sent, the toy displays the emotion that has been communicated.

Rebecca Capper, new concepts designer in BT Exact's emerging technologies lab, said: "Interactive messaging and SMS toys can not only give people a real sense and feel of how their friends and relatives are feeling but will also demonstrate how they are feeling about you. The first range of SMS toys won't just be about fun but will bring emotional messaging to the fore and ultimately it will become a more multi-sensory way of staying in touch. These devices will enable you to feel closer to those you care about.

"It takes SMS messaging into a new and exciting realm," she added.