李華告訴Larry說，經常有學生上課時間用手機。李華今天要學兩個常用語，texting和txt tlk.

LL: So, Li Hua, your students won't stop using their cell phones in class? That is so rude! It is really impolite to be texting when you professor is giving a lecture.

LH: 你說的texting想必就是text messaging發短信的意思吧？

LL: Yes, Li Hua, texting is short for text messaging. And have to say I think it is rude for students to text in class.

LH: 我也覺得在課堂上發短信是對老師的不尊重，所以我今天宣布，上課時間手機一律要關機。

LL: That's a good class policy, Li Hua. I hope your students show you some respect and stop texting in class.

LH: 我也希望他們上課不要再發短信了。可是我那些學生好像隨時隨地都在發短信。

LL: Yeah, a lot of young people do. I read a news report the other day that several states in the U.S. are thinking of banning teens from texting while driving a car.

LH: 什么？有些高中生開車的時候都在發短信？太危險了！

LL: I know. I can't believe it myself. I can't imagine holding on to the steering wheel with one hand and texting with the other.

LH: 一手握著方向盤，一手發短信，還要注意周圍的路況。這簡直不可能。

LL: I agree. Texting while driving is a bad idea. Actually, Li Hua, I don't text very often, do you?

LH: 我有時會跟中國的朋友發短信聯絡，因為他們覺得這樣可以練習英語。

LL: Texting to practice English is a great idea! But as for me, I'd rather call my friends and talk to them than text them.

LH: 我覺得這跟年紀有關。我媽就從來不發短信，我雖然有時發，但跟我的學生比，可差遠了。

LL: That's true. Say, how have your students reacted to your new "No Texting" policy?

LH: 他們有點不高興，但也知道上課發短信是不對的。

LL: So, Li Hua, what will you do if you catch someone texting in class now?

LH: 這簡單。被抓住上課發短信的，手機一律沒收，下課來取。

LL: Whoa! I bet no one will be texting in your class again, Li Hua.

******

LL: So, Li Hua, since you text to your friends in China, have you learned about text talk?

LH: 我也是剛知道text talk是怎么回事的。簡而言之，text talk是一種特殊的短信語言，為了提高打字速度，對一些詞進行簡化。

LL: Right! Text talk is a language, and it has its own set of rules.

LH: 我的學生都是這方面的專家，我從他們那兒學到了不少text talk的規則.

LL: Really, Li Hua? Maybe you can teach me about text talk. As you know, I don't text very often.

LH: 首先，打字的時候盡可能把元音字母省略掉。

LL: Like Text Talk is shortened to TXT TLK.

LH: 沒錯。把 Text, t-e-x-t中間的e省掉，變成t-x-t; 再把 talk, t-a-l-k中間的a省掉，變成t-l-k.

LL: But even with the missing letters, you can still understand text talk, because your brain fills them in.

LH: 對啊，看習慣了就好了。我最喜歡的是用數字替代字母。

LL: Can you give me an example, Li Hua?

LH: 比如說，打see you later一會兒見的時候，later, l-a-t-e-r, 就可以打成L-8-R,發音非常相近。

LL: L-8-R for "later" is very clever. I bet the "See You" part is also shortened in text talk.

LH: 沒錯。一般發短信的時候，see you可以簡寫為字母c加上字母u, 發音完全一樣，也是C-U.

LL: Mm, see you later, C-U L-8-R. Text talk is so funny, Li Hua! It makes me want to laugh out loud.

LH: 你提醒我了，在text talk里面，如果要寫laugh out loud, 可以用三個首寫字母L-O-L來表達。

LL: So, if I text L-O-L, my friend will know that I find something so funny it makes me want to laugh out loud?

LH: 沒錯。L-O-L在短信里，就代表laugh out loud, 意思是看到了非常好笑的事情。哎呀，說得高興忘了時間，I've got to go. C-U L-8-R! See you later, Larry!

今天李華學到了兩個常用語。一個是texting, 指發短信。另一個是txt tlk, 是短信語言中使用縮略語。