punctuation + texting

While texting with a friend several weeks ago, she (jokingly) told me to stop yelling at her because I end sentences with exclamation points. The incident then popped up in conversation and led to an entire discussion of what we mean when we text certain things.

Using ellipses (...) tends to frustrate me more often than not. It signifies that the thought is incomplete, so even if the sender means nothing by it, I'm usually left wondering what those three periods are hiding.

Also, improper use of the ellipsis frustrates me. When it comes at the end of a sentence, there should be one period followed by a space and then the ellipses.

Like this. ...

However, I do use the ellipsis to indicate a deadpan face, as is mentioned in this NYT article on texting punctuation. Someone might send me a text about something totally ridiculous that happened to them and I just can't even so send back an ellipsis. I envision it as one of those tv moments where the character turns slowly toward the camera with an emotionless look.

Also, I'm one of those people who texts with proper grammar more often than not. I occasionally omit a comma here and there because otherwise my texts look more like they belong in an email than in a text message.

And I'm prone to inserting extra letters when I would draw out the word verbally. The article mentions "mini texting accents" which I see as reflections of our own personal accents that we have when we speak. And, if we have issues communicating verbally with others (let's face it--it's a common reason why couples seek counseling), how much more difficult is it to communicate effectively over text message, when emotions are heightened and that period seems offensive and you used the wrong form of "you're?"

Anyway. Obviously, I'm sharing this article with everyone this week.