Survey on chat-language

Languages are in constant development. Spelling changes, new words are born and old words fade away. But seldom has a language shown such a rapid and global growth as chat-language. This language, created by the youth to make sending each other messages by means of cell phone, chat-programs and e-mail as easy and fast as possible, has quickly developed into a second language for people all over the world. The language mostly consists of abbreviations, numeral language and emoticons (icons that reflect your mood). This makes it possible to express long sentences in a short amount of letters and icons. To get an idea of how chat-language is developing, I am conducting a research study among general secondary education students and university (of professional education) students. I would highly appreciate it if you would take the time to fill in this survey and help me with my research.

1. Please provide the following contact information:

Age

Sex Male Female

2. Which form of education are you currently receiving?

General Secondary Education (mavo, havo, vwo)
Professional education (mbo)
University of professional education (hbo)
University (wo)

4. How long have you been using the internet?

Less then a year
One to three years
Three to five years
More then five years

5. How much time do you spend actively (surfing/ chatting/ emailing) on the internet on a weekly basis?

Less then three hours
Three to six hours
Six to ten hours
More then ten hours

6. You might find the following abbreviations in online communication or a text-message.
Do you know what they mean? Don’t guess, if you don’t know.

7. You might find the following emoticons in online communication or a text-message.
Do you know what mood they represent? Don’t guess, if you don’t know.

The abbreviations and emoticons presented above are examples of chat-language. While answering the following questions you should not limit yourself to these examples. Use of other abbreviations and/ or emoticons also counts.

8. Do you use emoticons (icons that reflect your mood)

Yes No

If you have answered 'No' in question 8, please skip question 9 to 11 an proceed with question 12.

9. How often do you use emoticons

10. I use emoticons when communicating with

friends family students teachers

11. Please indicate your attitude towards each of the statements below. I use emoticons because:

If you have answered 'yes' in question 8 please skip question 12.

12. Please indicate your attitude towards each of the statements below. I don't use abbreviations because:

13. Do you use chat abbreviations (non-common language abbreviations)

Yes No

If you have answered no in question 12, please skip question 1 to 14 and proceed with question 15.

14. How often do you use chat abbreviations (non-common language abbreviations)

15. I use chat abbreviations when communicating with (multiple options are possible)

friends family students teachers

16. Please indicate your attitude towards each of the statements below. I use chat abbreviations because:

If you have answered 'yes' in question 13 please skip question 17.

17. Please indicate your attitude towards each of the statements below. I don't use chat abbreviations because it:

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.