Is texting the language of the future? ASU linguists say 'yes'

Each day, millions of text messages are sent throughout the world. This phenomenon has some wondering if text language, such as “LOL” and “BTW,” is the way of the future.

Channel 12 reporter Chris Williams spoke with Arizona State University emeritus professors Don and Alleen Nilsen to get their take on the matter based on the history of linguistics.

“Change of language is happening faster now than ever because of the digital world,” said Don. He explained that texting can be considered a language that has its own grammar and rules that are directly dictated by millennials.

Alleen agreed, stating that an older adult may think that “LOL” means lots of love and use it in an inappropriate context, such as in response to someone being hospitalized. In reality, younger people understand this acronym to mean "laughing out loud."

“It is a form of social communication that experts may look at in the same way as ancient petroglyphs,” she said.