This dissertation, "SMS Gener@tion: a Study on the Language of Text Messaging in Hong Kong" by Sui-sum, Bosco, Li, 李瑞琛, was obtained from The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) and is being sold pursuant to Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation. All rights not granted by the above license are retained by the author. Abstract: Abstract of thesis entitled SMS Gener@tion: A Study on the Language of Text Messaging in Hong Kong Submitted by Li Sui Sum Bosco A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy at the University of Hong Kong in February 2007 This thesis investigates the language use of text messaging in Hong Kong under the theoretical framework of 'Technology-conditioned approach to Language Change and Use' (TeLCU) (Bodomo and Lee 2002), which highlights the causal relationship between the introduction of new Information Communication Tools (ICTs) and new forms of language and literacy. The analysis is based on a 7500-word corpus of 900 text messages. A number of issues in the situation of text messaging are addressed in this study including linguistic features of SMS, practical significance of these unique characteristics and the communicative functions in this situation. These features show that there is a strong relationship between the introduction of ICTs and language change. A wide range of linguistic properties, including lexical, syntactic and typographical ones are investigated in the present study. Various kinds of lexical adaptations are identified including the use of shortenings and abbreviations. The syntactic features of text message, such as the omission of subject pronouns, modal verbs and copula verbs as well as articles, are outlined. Typographical issues such as capitalization and 1 the use of punctuation as well as the use of emoticons are also investigated. That text messages exhibit these features is found to be affected by five factors that are significant to the design and use of the mobile phone. These include 1) the design of the keypad, 2) the mobility of the mobile phone, 3) the restriction of Chinese inputting methods 4) synchronicity and 5) time pressure. This thesis has also presented common features of frequently used expressions in text messaging as characteristics of a new use of language under the framework of TeLCU. It is found that the major communicative functions of SMS are 1) exchange of information, 2) maintenance of personal relations and 3) social arrangements. These general communicative functions are found to have a close relation with the common features in frequently used expressions. The thesis suggests that educationalists, language teachers and researchers should pay attention to the educational and pedagogical implications of this new language use. The new scene of language use with new norms of expressions should be recognized. While the teaching of standard language has long been treasured, the informal use of language in other situations such as computer-mediated ones should not be denied and neglected. (377 words) 2 DOI: 10.5353/th_b3744163 Subjects: Text messages (Telephone systems) Language and the Internet