Translating texting lingo

                Ever see a text message (or worse still an essay or research paper) filled with LOL, OMG, and OTOH?  Besides teaching students not to use these in formal writing (with is another issue), sometimes we just need to know what they are saying.  Suppose you see a message that might be harassment, but aren’t sure? 

Go to http://www.transl8it.com/cgi-win/index.pl  which will translate those pesky acronyms into English. It’s not always perfect, but it will give you an idea. 

You can also translate from English into text, if you’re perhaps trying to make a point to students.  Mine don’t “get” that texting jargon isn’t so helpful until I start using IMHO (in my humble opinion), OTOH (on the other hand), and other familiar adult-speak; then they start to see the problem.