Editing Instant messaging (section)

=== Language ===
{{See also|SMS language|Emoji|Emoticon}}
[[File:LolTextMessage.jpg|thumb|'lol', a popular example of slang on instant messaging and texting]]
Users sometimes make use of [[internet slang]] or [[text messaging#Effect on language|text speak]] to abbreviate common words or expressions to quicken conversations or reduce keystrokes. The language has become widespread, with well-known expressions such as '[[LOL|lol]]' translated over to face-to-face language.

Emotions are often expressed in shorthand, such as the abbreviation [[LOL]], [[Internet slang|BRB and TTYL]]; respectively laugh(ing) out loud, be right back, and talk to you later. Some, however, attempt to be more accurate with [[emotional expression]] over IM. Real time reactions such as (''chortle'') (''snort'') (''guffaw'') or (''eye-roll'') have been popular at one point. Also there are certain standards that are being introduced into mainstream conversations including, '#' indicates the use of sarcasm in a statement and '*' which indicates a spelling mistake and/or grammatical error in the prior message, followed by a correction.<ref>[http://wiki.networkdictionary.com/index.php/Instant_Messenging instant messaging] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212114903/http://wiki.networkdictionary.com/index.php/Instant_Messenging |date=February 12, 2010 }}, NetworkDictionary.com.</ref>